Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-09-19

my QdnClS, dIe DOuuu, IcpliSu oho ooP-
tain.
The man drew his knife and with
dexterous slash cut the rope that bound
the captains feet, and was in the act OF
seizing him roughly by the arm when
the captain bounded up and said, II
am readyP'
"Waal, stan in har atween us We're
sheriffs, " said the man who had so Tar
kept silence.
The captain obeyed, and one Of the
men uttered the word march, when
Alice and Nora came before the captain
and prith loui sobs threw their arms
about him and kissed his wounded face.
The darkness prevented their seeing
that his one eye was filed with tears
and that his bronzed cheeks were wet.
The captain was conducted to the largest
fire, about which all the outlaws had
assembled, to witness if not to partici-
pate in this sickening burlesque on JUS
tice. He was placed on the ground in a
position where all could see him, and
the men who had been chatting and
swearing at once became silent. Bouton
rose to his feet. and after some forced
coughing delivered himself as follows:
"Boys, Captain Brandon has always
been down on our crowd, and if we were
as bad as he thinks we are, instead OF
giving him a trial, as we intend doing,
we'd kill him on sight. "
He was interrupted by Fairplay, who
had rejoined the party as they were en-
tering the canyon, with:
THAT'S so Bouton. You are talkin
sense now. Why, cuss him, he's been a
wuss enemy than all the troops and law
oddicers from here to Texas And I'm
for finishin the job without any more
palaver!"
Another storm of applause followed
the rising of Sim Bliss Thin, beardless
and weak locking, Sim Bliss formed
striking contrast to the hardy ruffians
about him. But the contrast was only
physical In thought and feeling he was
quite in sympathy with these despera-
does, and with more strength and cour-
age he might have been leader. But
he soon proved that he had quality
more admirable than any of them pos.
sessed and a power that made the stron-
gest feel like an infant before him. Sim
Bliss was fairly educated and we'll up in
all legal forms and legal tricks, for law
has its tricks as well as vice. He was a
ready speaker, and he used words that
were beyond the comprehension Of his
rude auditors, which was strong point
in his favor
After recounting Captain Brandon's
crimes Sim Bliss proposed that Bouton
should act as presiding officer of the
court and that all the men present should
consider themselves jurors in the case
he was about to call up. In all this
there was not even the semblance of
legal method, but as he was the only
man present aware Of the incongruity
the forms were accepted with due So
lemnity.
The fact that some of the jurors were
called as witnesses struck no one as be-
ing at all out of order-indeed, nothing
that Sim Bliss could have done or sug-
gested would have been thought irregu-
lar. He was lawyer, and they reasoned,
as other men do about doctors, that he
should know everything pertaining to
his own calling.
Sim Bliss had been duly posted by
Bouton as to the captains offenses
against the gang, and as there were
witnesses ready to prove anything that
might be charged, there was no trouble
in sustaining all that was asserted
Before asking you, gentlemen and
friends" said Sim Bliss, after conclud-
ing the farce of taking testimony,
whether the prisoner at the bar is
guilty or not guilty, think it would
be only right to ask the prisoner at the
bar if he has anything to say in his
own defense" Sim turned to the cap
tain and nodded to show that he was at
liberty to speak if he so desired.
II have nothing to say" replied the
captain. II have no favor to ask. "
THAT being the CASE" interposed
Bouton, with smile of malignant tri-
umph on his olive face, "I'll ask the
boys if they think Brandon guilty or
not guilty?'
He rose and looked at the men, and
the men with one accord sprang to their
feet and shouted:
''He is guilty."
"What shall we do with him?" asked
Bouton.
"Hang him!" was the response.
Don't you think we had better shoot
him?" suggested Bouton. "That'l give
every fellow chance to get in little
work.
Eyes Shoot him!" they answered,
and more than one hand was reached
back to the revolver stock.
"When?''
"Now!" came the laundering re-
sponse, and the men crowded forward.
81 think, said Sim Bliss, "that to
execute him now would be little ir-
regular. 1t is customary to give the con-
demned an opportunity to make their
peace"
"Then We'll give him till sun up!'
shouted Fairplay.
This suggestion was acted upon, and
the condemned man was at once placed
under a special guard