Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-11-26

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At ths threshold he turned and once more
faced the post commander.
shot. and I'm sorry be missed. You say
there are cowboys enough in the county
to clean out dozen such bands IA 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
mo 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 In that village"
"All right, Colonel Fenton. In the
old days we used to soy blood was
thicker than water, and in many
tough place we've stood by the soldier
against the savage There was never q
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 ooolly. II never
would go back on you. as you say, II
you were the assailed and the wronged.
This is q case of simple Justice. and I
interpose to keep the pence 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 tho land
than the military. Colonel Fenton, and
that's public opinion, and public opinion
says Big Roads people murdered Lara
mie Pete. Public opinion says we want
the murderers and. by God, we mean to
have 'em even If we have to clean out
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 a. much left of you rs the
Sioux left Of Clusters crowd. Take my
advice and keep away from us"
And 80 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
10. At the threshold he turned and once
more faced the post commander.
"Another thing, Colonel Fenton"
And AZ he spoke Ormsby could see how
the strong frame was quivering with
excitement and wrath. lyon say we're
not the sheriff. posse and we cannot act
in accordance with law. There's no
sheriff In all Wyoming nearer than Rock
Springs, and I'm sheriff in these parts
until he comes I'm sheriff enough to
hunt murderers, and sheriff enough to
run down horse thieves, and do it with.
out waiting for warrants, either, and
that damned redskin whom you're pro-
tecting there by your side is one of the
four that shot Pete Boland. III send q
sheriff's posse here in ten minutes, and
III give you warning here and now we
mean to have the law on him or you,
and you take your choice. Will you sur
render him?"
Ormsby felt his nerves and muscles
quivering. This was indeed boarding
the lion in his den. 1t was a new thing
to see post commander braved in his
own bailiwick. Fenton, however. never
showed the faintest irritation. Check
ing with a gesture the indignant move
made by some of the younger officers
he turned quietly to the officer Of the
day.
Captain Amory. let file Of the
guard escort that gentleman of the res
ervation.
$50 be it, Colonel Fenton. and let
the country know was thrust of the
post at the point Of the saber. I'll wait
for my escort.
He had little time to wait. Almost
at the doorway already, the corporal's
guard, obeying the impatient summons
Of the young officer in command. came
trotting up at double quick, a nonoom.
missioned officer and two troopers One
Of the latter, stocky, heavily bearded,
slouchy, with furtive, bloodshot eyes,
looked uneasily about him as the detail
halted. and, springing up the steps, the
corporal lightly touched the cowboy ON
the shoulder. Thorpe had turned back
as though to hurl some parting shot or
sarcasm at the oppressor, but at the
touch Of the corporals hand looked
coolly around. well, sonny, what do
you want2"
"Come along, Ben, said the corporal
quietly, then started back Involuntary
at the expression Of amazement and
wrath that shot suddenly into the cow
boys face.
"Whatl" Missed Thorpe, striding q
pace forward. "You here? You officiat.
Ing as policeman to show me of Uncle
Sans jailyard You, you sneak and
scuml" he shouted, shaking fist in
Graioe's sodden face. "You, You brag'
CART and blackguard-you coward, who
left poor Crawford wife without de-
fender. You cur, who stole the last cent
he had and then betrayed him to the
Indians; you liar, who brag OF being an
officers son and dare not own your own
namei
''Stand bockp' he fercely cried a.
the corporal once more strove to place
hand upon his shoulder. "I've no quar-
rel with you, Reddy, or with this other
Door devil, who can only do 40 he's or
dered, but I'd die in my TRACKS before
that white livered hound should escort
me of this post. Out Of the wayr" ne
cried, and with one magnificent bound
reached his horse, leaped into his saddle,
and dashed few yards away. Then,
whirling about, he swung his hat IN
air. "Good night to you. gentlemen.
Merry Christmas to you, one and all
You've got one of those bloody murder
ers here, 20 keep him if you choose. but
we'll have the other three before the