Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-01-18

this morning?"
"Of course we will swearit-and prove
it,"
rAnd you didn't see Dan Bash?"
NO"
Not since the day he rode over from
BiggerS'?"
"No."
"You didn't look for him?"
"No. 'Twan't none of our business
You was loolIin' for him."
"You hadn't any one out on the road'
neither?"
"Nary one"
"Didn't Kill BiggerS' dog?"
&I'm glad it's dead though, for 1t ol'
me once"
"There's q good many witnesses hcre-
mind what the Monks say" said Chuo,
calmly.
aNow. then," said Club, suddenly, as
she stepped back and grasped her rife
from Eli Potts hand, "throw u2 your
hands,"
AS the two Monks facing her obeycd
reluctantly, Pete and one or two OF the
gang found themselves covered Wild
rifles drawn by the crowd.
Then Club addressed herself to the
crowd:
"Take their knives and guns, boys"
The Monks were speedily dlsarmed
"Squatty, come here"
Suuatty approached her in fear. His
checks were pale--his hand trembled.
The Monks looked at him curiousiy
"Squatty you can choose now. VIII
You keep your promise, or will you take
YOUR chances with the Monks ChooSe
cuck. The Sheriff will soon take
hand in this matter"
"Hc ought to bo at my house now,
said Hank Dawson, coolly. Least that
was our understanding.
"No matter, dad If the Sher.tfs lost
his way, or anything's happened him or
his horse, | reckon you and can take
them into the town, said Club, calmly,
"YouT wish you hadn't, Club, said
Bill Monk
"Squatty."
S9uatty stood beside her.
"Did the Monks send you upon the
road to our house between two and three
this morning."
"DOn't ask me-"
"Yes, or mol" thundered Hank Daw'
son.
"Yes"
ats q lie!" said Bill Monk.
dts true-I caught him with the help
of my dog" said Tom Bggers.
"And I'll swear 1t in court" addc
Hank Dawson.
The Monks turned wrathfu!ly upon
him and scowled.
81 tell you, we never tou hcd Dan
Bash. We don't know anything about
him, and Squatty's lying if he says we
do"
@Wat till he does say it," replied
Club. calmly. "He only confesses you
sent him on the road That proves you
are interested
"Nobody will believe SQuatty."
"When we swear the same thing may
be they will, said Tom BiggerS.
"Now, then, Squatty; look me IN tho
eye"
Poor squatty could with difficulty obey
Club.
"Were you at the spring on the day
Ned and Bill Monk planned to XIII Dan
Bash?"
"Don't ask me-don't."
ayes or no." said Hank Dawson.
"I-I-I was"
"YOu was in the p,ot?"
"I-I was"
"But when l suspected what they were
up to and followed Dan-cutting across
the near way-did or did not shoot BIZ
Monks arm; and then he, and you, and
Ned were afraid to fight us both, or OF
the consequences if they killed me and
Dan-and they and you SUNK OIL. is
that true or not SQua'ty?"
"It's the Gods truth but they'll kill
me for telling Club"
"We'll see to that, Now, then, dad, il
the sheriff doesn't show up in five min
utes, you'd best take the whole gang 10
| town."
As she ceased speaking, a horse
hoofs were heard clankering along the
stony road, and the sheriff was soon in
the midst of tho excited crowd.
"Im an hour late. Some whelp's been
fooin' with my horse. had to get an
other on the road" said the sheriff.
"Maybe the Monks will explain it, "
said Club, pointing to them.
81 shouldn't wonder mite" said the
sheriff.
"Take 'cm along, Sheriff III be in
town in time to see they don't get out on
straw bail. Mind-the charge is
murder"
"Hem You make it?"
~No. I do" said Club.
ats all the same, Sheriff." said Hank
Dawson, with a smile.
eyes, it's in the family, said the
sheriff.
Now then-I'm ready to move on"
And soon the sheriff, with stronG
guard of volunteers, rode off to the
town with the Monks and Squatty, who
was held both as principal and witness.