Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-07-08
the two friends were in each Others

the two friends were IN each others
arms.
81 thank thee, thou Great jehovah"
cried the Prophet, ''that thou hast saved
my friendr'
Come this way. Let Us withdraw
whispered Captain Brandon.
The Prophet looked into the center of
the group and saw DIR. Blanchard plac-
ing Henry Kyle and Kus,lat On two
stretchers that had been hastily con-
structed of rifles and blankets.
Are they deGd?" asked the Prophet.
"Not yet. Come, lei Us talk apart.
We can follow them to the grave"
They walked under the towering
rocks ard watched the sad procession
forming and moving across the valley.
| All the Kyles and the Blanchards were
| there, but the wailirg of the women
told that the journey Of one Of them
! would not end, but rather begin when
| his bearers had set him down again.
| 1.-THE rifles were raised to destroy me,
and 1 looked into the black muZzles
with feeling that they were the last
things on which my earthly eyes would
rest, but, like Il guardian angel, he drop
| ped down from the sky and saved me-, F."
sobbcd the captain.
The Prophet laid his hand ON the cap
tain's broad shoulder and locked into
his blood stained face with an expression
of unutterable questioning and tender
ness.
Let rs wait 1t may be better to say
no more-better that the dead past
should bury its dead
mo, no, Captain Brandon; this must
not be. Break the seals which tho an
gels of charity and silence have SO Icing
will, said the Prophet with great car
neStness.
IF the silence is to be broken l will
do it. But We must row consider the
coarse that would bring the greatest
happiness. Am not right::'
The two friends walked across tho
valley, and On the way they passed the
bodies OF number of dead oz:laws
with their CHASTITY faces upturned to the
sun. Among them was Fairplay, his
bronzed hands still clutching his rifle.
As they were nearing the cave Captain
Duncan met them and greeted Captain
Brandon with a warmth that showed
they were valued friends. There is n
man over here, a prisoner, who wants to
speak to one Of you gentlemen, said
Captain Duncan.
who is he?" asked the Prophet.
Il believes he calls himself Font
RObb, but recognize il him u criminal
who is wanted by the governors CT half
dozen states and territories" replied
Captain Duncan.
, They went over to where the prison
, ers were seated on the ground, guarded
, | by number Of cavalryInen.
See her, gents" said Font Robb,
rising and touching his cap, i've go.
: favor to ask. and I'll say it's the enc
I'd do for either of you if you was III
the same fix 1 am
What is tliat?' asked the Prophet
who was now i'll q mood to grant any
reasonable favor. even to an outlaw ant
an enemy.
Don't let the sojers carry me OF, >
said Font Robb
Garry you OFF,
Yves, tote me away from har.
"What would you have me do?'
Why, I'd have you gents take tn,
law in your own hands. You're the par
ties as I've gene for last, and 70,
ioughtn't to let the military interfere
You'd ought to make it your owl
l. fun'ral and prepare the corpse Accord,
to taste"
% Unjust say do not understand you,
: said the Prophet.
. "Waal, / amt much on the chinnin
-. that's fact. But har's the pint: VIII,
:. can't you and Captain Brandon take m
~ right ont and shoot me? If you don
=, want TO take whack at me, mebb
u Louis Kyle would. The fact is 1 don
~ want TO be took off and tried where III
= pretty sure Of bcin strung up. This
Y the favor. gents, and I'd be foreve
:. obliged if you was to grant it,, sal
~ Font Robb again, touching his cap.
1--WE have not the power to grant you
:" request" said the Prophet, land W
~ would not if we could. Life to us
sacred. Live while you can and prepa1
~ to meet the God whom you have offent
=, ed"