The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-12-03

ES&&LSNi ESQ q So q
e.
| n { the threshold nc tUluCd und once more
| tuccd MC post cOnthlunIcr
shot, and Pm sorry he missed. You say
there are cowboys enough in tho county
to clean out a dozen such bands as his
and that Laramie Pctc's friends won't
rest until they've done it, Go you to
them right from this spot and say for
mo there arc not cowboys enough in all
tho territory to lick this regiment, and
you've got to do that before you oan
raise one scalp in that village"
can right, Colonel Fcnton. III the
old days we nscd to sny blood was
thicker than water, and IN many q
tough place we've stood by the soldier
against the savage. There WAS never q
tlmc we went back on you, and this is
tho first time / ever heard of an officer
who would go back Oh u.s.
''Don't distort things now, my
FRIEND" said Fcnton coolly. Il never
would 80 back on you, rs you say, if
you wcrn the assailcd and the wrongcd.
This is a case of simple justice, and I
lntcrpoSc to keep the peace until the
rights and wrongs can be siftcd and set
tied. Take my advice and keep away
| from the village -
'"Thrrc's higher power L.: tho land
than the military, Colonel Fcnton, and
| that's public opinion, and public opinion
says Big Roads people murdered Lara
mic Pete. Public opinion says We want
the murdcrcrs, and, by God, we moan tc
have 'cm even if wo have to clean out
tho whole village! We want no figh,
with you; but, through the press anG
congress, We'll use you up till there
won't be rs much loft of you as tho
Sioux left of Clusters crowd. Take my
advice and keep away from u.s. -
And 80 saying Ben Thorpe, "king O.
tho cowboys, - us they called him on th
Platte, strobe angrily out of the room
the officers parting in silence to let hin
go. AT the threshold he turned and one
moro faced tho post commander.
"Another thing, Colonel Fentoni'
And as he spoke Ormsby could SEQ how
the strong frame was quivcring Will
excitement and wrath. "You say we
not the sheritf's posse and we cannot act
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 enough to
hunt murdcrers, and sheriff enough to
run down horse thieves, and do it with
out waiting for warrants, either, and
that damned rcdskin whom you're pro-
tecting lhcrc by your side is ono Of tho
| four that shot Pete Boland I'll send q
sheritf's posse hero in ton minutes, and
I'll give You warning hero and now we
mean TO have the law on him or you,
aid you take your choice. Will you sur
render him!"
Ormsby felt his nerves and muscles
| quivcring This was indeed boarding
the lion in his den. 1t was II now thing
to sec q post commander braved In his
own bailiwick. Fcnton, however never
showed the faintcst irritation. Check
ing with n gesture tho indignant move
made by somo Of tho younger officers
no turned quietly to tho officer Of tho
day.
"Captain Amory, let file Of the
guard escort that gentleman OFF tho res
ervation. "
$50 bo 1t, Colonel Fcnton, and let
tho country know was thrust off tho
post at tho point Of tho saber. III wait
| for my escort
Flo had littlo timo to wait. Almost
at the doorway already, tho corporal 8
guard, Obcyin9 the impatient summons
If the young officer IN command, camo
hOtting up at double quick, noncom.
missioncd officer and two troopers. One
Of. the latter, stocky, heavily bearded,
slouchy, with furtivc, hloodshot eyes,
| looked uncasily about him ~ the detail
halted, and, springing up the steps, tho
corporal lightly touched tho cowboy on
the shoulder. Thorpe had turned back
as though to hurl some parting shot Or
sarcasm at tho opprcssor, but ut the
touch of the corpornl's hand looked
coolly around. "Woll, sonny, what do
you want?"
'Como along, Ben, said the corporal
quietly, then started back involuntarily
OF tho expression OF smnZcmcnt and
wrath that shot suddenly into tho COW
boys faco.
"Whatl" hissed Thorpe. stridipg a
paco forward. "You here? You ofliciat-
ing rs policeman to show me OFF Unclo
Sans jailyard. You, you sneak and
soumr' he shouted, shaking a fist in
Graicc's soddon face. "You, you brag-
CART and blackguard-you coward, who
left poor Crawford 8 wife without do
fender. Yuu cur, who stole tho last cent
no had and then BETRAYED him to the
Indians; you liar, who brag Of being on
officers son and dare not own your OWL
namol
"Stand bnck!" nc hcrcciy cried ai
the corporal once more strcvo to place ;
hand upon his shoulder. "l've no quar-
rel with you, Rcddy, Or with this othc,
poor doviA whQ can only do w h9's Qr