The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-12-15

the party came 10 LIB aSSlstauce, 6uo
in a minute Dick was for the second
time prisoner.
"Don't le' g give him chance to
git away ag'in," said one of the men.
"String him up to this Of tree, an
make sure of him this time"
"That's the talk" cried Bill Green.
''Ef we go to palaverin' with him some
O. the rest O. the gang may come
along, fust we know, an help him tu
give US the slip. I don't b'leeve in
trials fer hoss-thieves. Eff we hadn't
awaited fer one afore, mebbe.. Mr..
Boone d ben span O. hosses ahead"
"See here, neighbors," said Dick,
attempting to be calm. 'T can prove
to you that am as innocent of what
has been laid to me as any one of you
is"
"Du it, then, an be spry about it."
said Bill. "We hain't no time to fool
away"
Il have just tracked the horse
thieves, with Mr.. Boone's horses, to
the border of the Big Swamp" said
Dick. IT was on my way to Mr..
Boone's to let him know what I found
out" -..
"That's a likely story" sneered
Bill. "But T reckon 'twon't 60 down
with US. What du you think about
it, fs,lers?" !'.. ..
''We don't take no stock in it, ," re-
sponded Mr.. Balcom.
Dicks explanation had fallen like
good seed On stony ground.
"Hello, there's Perkins an Speers,"
cried Bill, as two men appeared on the
opposite side of the creek. "Come
acrost, boys" ...
Bill met the men little way from
the group which surrounded Dick, and
talked with them in low tones for
few minutes. 49,. .r.... 49,:
"Ye're right" Dick heard one of
them say. ''It's best to make short
work of it. Eff Of Boone OF Porter
comes along afore it's done they'll
want US to hold on an give him a
chance fer trial, an T don't 60 in fer
sich doin's, I don't. Hangin's what
60 in fer, an I 60 in fer it now!"
my idee," said Speers, concisely.
''Here's suthin' that III ans FER in place
O. suthin' better"
As he spoke he unwound leather
strap from about his waist. It was
five or six feet long. Men often, used
these straps instead of suspshders,
tying them or buckling them sufficiently
tight to keep their trousers from slip
ping over their hips: ...., ..
Bill took the strap and came back to
the waiting group.
I've talked with Speers an Per-
kins an they amt in favor O. waitin',"
he said. "What dye say, men? Is
it hang?" "
Hang it isl" was the reply from
every man in the party.
"For Gods sake don't murder
man in cold blood!' cried Dick, as pale
as death. 'I tell you I am innocent.
If you'll take'the trouble to-search the
Big Swamp you'll find that I've told
you the truth. Search and find out
whether I've been lying to you before
you hang me-" .......
whats the use O. foolin' with him?"
cried Perkins. "We re only wastin'
words an time"
'sTie his hans" ordered Bill.
And in spite of his powerful struggles
Dicks hands were tied, and the fatal
strap fastened about his neck.
"For Gods sake-w he began, but
Perkins had thrown the strap over a
limb, and two or three men had seized
it, and he felt himself being lifted from
his feet. ....
At that instant wild, shrill cry, full
of mortal terror, rang through the gray
gloom of the morning, and caused them
to relax their grasp. Turning in the
direction whence it came, they saw
Mamie and Rhoda coming swiftly to-
ward them, with faces as white as those
of the dead are, making wild gestures
for them to release Dick.
Dicks good angel had brought them
at the very nick o''time. The men let
go the strap, and his feet touched
earth again.
"It wasn't he," cried Rhoda, pant
ing for breath. "We've found out
who the thieves are-and the ring
leaders Wayne" .....
Then she sank down on a log and
burst into tears.
whats that ye're sayin'?" cried
Bill. Don't you 60 to tryin' to fool
us. Eff you do"
eff we did 7 suppose you'd hang
u.s." cried Mamie, Indignantly. ,"Was
that what you were going to say?"
"What is it that you've found out?"
asked Perkins. 'H you've anything
to tell, tell it an done with it."
Mamie drew long breath and be-
gan. =.
What she had to tell the reader al
ready knows.
ITO be continued.