Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-09-25


faced the post commander.
shot, and I'm sorry he missed You say
there are cowboys enough in the county
to clean out a dozen such bands as his
and that Laramie Pete's friends won't
rest until they've done it. Go you to
them right from this spot and say for
me there are not cowboys enough in all
the territory to lick this regiment, and
you've got to do that before you can
raise one scalp i'll that village"
''All right, Colonel Fenton. In the
old days we used to say blood was
thicker than water, and in many a
tough place we've stood by the soldier
against the savage. There was never a
time we went back on you, and this is
the first time ever heard of an officer
who would go back on u.s.
Don't distort things now. MY
friend" said Fenton coolly. Il never
would 60 back on you. as you say. if
you were the assailed and the wronged.
This is a case of simple justice, and I
interpose to keep the peace until The
rights and wrongs can be sifted and set
tied. Take my advice and keep away
from the village"
There's higher power in the land
than the military, Colonel Fenton. and
that's public opinion, and public opinion
says Big Roads people murdered Lara
ME Pete. Public opinion says we want
the murderers, and, by God, we mean to
have 'em even If we have to clean ont
the whole village! We want no fight
with You; but, through the press and
congress, We'll use you up till there
won't be as much left of you as the
Sioux left of Clusters crowd Take my
| advice and keep away from us.
And SO saying Ben Thorpe, king of
the cowboys" as they called him on the
Platte. strobe angrily out of the room,
the officers parting in silence to let him
60 At tine threshold he turned and orce
more faced the post commander.
| Another thing, Colonel Fenton!''
| And as he spoke Ormsby could see how
the strong frame was quivering with
excitement and wrath. lyon say we're
not the sheriff 8 posse and we cannot &C.
| in accordance with law. There's nc
sheriff in all Wyoming nearer than Rock
| Springs, and I'm sheriff in these parts
until he comes. I'm sheriff enoug h to
hunt murderers. and sheriff enough te
run down horse thieves, and do it with
out waiting for warrants, either, and
| that damned redskin whom you're FRO
tecting there by your side is one of the
four that shot Pete Boland. I'll send ;
sheriff's posse here in ten minutes, anc
I'll give you warning here and now W.
mean to have the law on him or you
and you take your choice. Will you sur
render him.
Ormsby felt his nerves and muscle.
quivering. This was indeed boarding
the lion in his den. 1t was a new thin.
to see a post commander braved i'll hi
own bailiwick. FentOn, however, neve
showed the faintest irritation. Check
ing with gesture the indignant NOV
made by some of the younger officers
he turned quietly to the officer Of tn
day.
Captain Amory, let a file Of tn,
guard escort that gentleman off the res
ervation.
80 be it, Colonel Fenton, and lie
the country know I was thrust of tn
post at the point OF the saber. III wal
for my escort.
He had little time to wait. Almos
at the doorway already, the corporal
guard. obeying the impatient summon
of the yourg officer in command. cam
trotting up at double quick, noncom
missioned officer and two troopers On
of the latter. stocky. heavily bearded
slouchy. with furtive. bloodshot eyes
looked uneasily about him as the detail
halted. and, springing up the steps. tn
corporal lightly touched the cowboy o.
the shoulder. Thorpe had turned bac
rs though to hurl some parting shot q
sarcasm at the oppressor, but at tn
touch of the corporal's hand locke
.. coolly around. well, sonny, what d
You want:''