Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-01-04
CHAPTER x.
souArrpss SURPRISING STATEMENT,


kind of you, Bob," said Hank Dawson,
as he lit a fresh pine knot. "Go ahead,
I'll not spoil your story, cos it mu't be
interostin'."
81 didn't mean to touch thing. l
was just going over to look around. AND
then l was going to the tavern. That
was all. Just to look around.
Squstty gulped down a big lump In his
throat.
Nobody replied.
A single night bird screamed. Squat
ty started, then settled down again, ana
glanced from one to the other.
They were not a friendly group.
Clubs lips expressed scorn and aver
sion.
Hank Dawson looked as he never
looked before. There was gleam III
his eyes that frightened poor Squatty'
Tom Biggers was as hard-looking as
fate There was relentless stare IN
his big black eyes that chilled Squatsy'
He cleared his throat twice, ana re-
sumed his story.
81 wasn't doin' all myself VI course
not"
Still no response.
"'TYasn' t my idea at all
Stiff that chilling silence. Squatty
grew frantic with fear.
AMY God, folks! If I split on 'em
they'll kill me- They're sworn to 90 IL
snre."
They? TheyP Who's they?" demand
ed Club quickly.
"You know. OF course you know, .
"I know nothing" said Club. "Iell
me-" ~
aWhv Ned and Bill and Pete and all
the rest of the Monks. and tue crowd. "
"Oh."
aYou do know, Club. You saw
everything that day."
"What day."
"The day at the spring
aNhat spring? Speak out plain"
Of course Club knew very we'll what
he referred to; but she had an object ID
view.
She wanted a witness. Hank Dawson
and his daughter were good enongh-lt
would be still better If their statements
we're corrobOrated by a third party
This was why she compelled the poor
wretch to be explicit.
81 mean the day you seen Ned MONK
irwin to shoot Dan Bash.
@You mean the same day you tried to
club him while Bill Monk rushed on him
with a knife-and / shot his arm, ano
then came between you and all?"
"I never heard of that" said ION
Biggers.
@You hear it from Squatty, now, saiC
Club meaningly.
"Ol Pm wake awake, You bet"
ayes well that was the folks
meant" said Squatty.
"That was the same day the whole
crowd Jumped on Dan, and threatened
to mt a. bullet in the first man tina
touched him." said Club.
ayes. The same day. Ned and Bil
sent me along ahead tonight, De
aStop. How did you know we wer'n'
at home?"
"Why, VIC knew.
"How did You know?"
Hank Dawsons look was so threaten
ing that Squatty recoiled.
"Don't hit me" "
"Hit YOU! Hit you, you poor devil. l
| touched you with my boot I'd burn u
Go on"
"Why, they've been ON the watch. "
"Where?"
Everywhere.
aBe more explicit, said Club. "Wher
were the Monks to-nightP"
"At the forks of the road"
"Where were they?"
ain the trees-up high"
GLOW did they learn we were not goin
home9"
aThey overheard your folks talking a
they rode home"
"Humph!"
ats Gods truth"
"What do you know about Gods truth
you wretch?"
"Well, 1 amt lying now."
@That comes nearer 1t, Now, then
Squatty.
Bob bounced as he was addresse
sternly.
"You've spun nice yarn to u.s."
"Deed, Mr.. Dawson, IL"
"Shut up! I'd not believe you II yol
swore on as many bibles as you coul
pile up all over the county"
"Nor IN said Tom Biggers.
@Nor / either, Squatty," said Club
quietly. 81 happen to know that part o
what you say is the truth. Now to begl
with. What do you know about Da
Bash? Where Is hep"
81 don't know. l swear l don't know
nothin' about him..
"Very WELL" said Club, coolly.
"Now. who was in the business
Which of the Monks besides you? 0
were you all in the scrape?"
"Before God, Club"
"See here" said Hank Dawson, rough
lv. 81 thought told you once afore nc
to mention somebody as don't know you
an amt likely to have you for ter
ant
81 won't say God again."
"Best not. You'd best talk about tn
devil. He's your company, Souatty"
swell, l swear don't know nothir
about Dan Bash"
"You Iie!" said Tom Biggers.
aft die fort, 1 DON'T" said Squatty
Club looked at him earnestly
"No use in lying now, Squatty." :"
"I amt lynn"
"And you'll swear you don't know VIII
has waylaid Dan Bash?"
"Tll swear it l don't b'lieve he wa
wayaid by nobody"
you'll swear Ned and Bill Mon
haven't got him hid somewhere?"
81 know they haven't"
"How do you know? They don't te
you everything They make a tool c
YOU"
81 know it. But know they didn
do nothin' to Dan Bash, too. If the
know'd where he was, what'd they kee
me trOttin' rOun' trying everywhere {