The National tribune., 1897-09-23
CHAPTER VII.

Robert Inrule WAS soTely puzzled as to
what course to pursue toward the trembling
culprits before HIM IL the mountains pri-
waite vengeance was TO great extent public
Justice il was a mans duty toward his
neighbors and The community TO severely
punish such olfenses as these against himself.
Robert lnrule was a thoroughly just man,
and ever mindful Of The duty he owed his
feilow-citizens. Without considering his own
loss al all. and his natural indignation. public
morals required that z severe example should
be made OF men caught red-handed in the
commission Of such 2 crime. If his sons had
shot the men down as they ran, public opinion
would have appiaudea them. He, himself,
If he had discovered them burning down an
other mans buildings, would have had no
hesitation III shooting them He would be
justified Ia shooting them even now, while
the fires of his destroyed stable were still
blazing.
If tiicf be tqten IN the aigit. he shall
surely dic. Bat II tie san be risen upon him,
thou shut stay III hand"
But he knew Pid Pancake and wills Cluke
80 well as to entirely believe their statement
that they were forced 10 do the deed under
the imminent fear OF death by Big Jim Hos
kins. They were entirely too weak minded,
lazy and cowardly TO plan and execute such
deed. Left to their own impulses, the
worst they would do would be to steal a hog
or a chicken that they thought they could
carry off without detection.
1t would be an absurd injustice to punish
them for a crime of which Big Jim Hoslins
vas the real author Yet. it was contrary 10
every principle of mountain justice to let
them 60 seamless. That they were so weak
~ to become the instruments of another man s
crime rendered them dangerous. Public
opinion would severely blame him if he let
them off too easily. The safety and order of
the community would e promoted 10y killing
them, not only a. an example, but 10 prevent
their being The agents of other bad men in
other crimes.
Pid Pancake and wills Cluke had dropped
on their knees, and were whining and crying
pleading for mercy for the sake of their
fan lies and protesting against Big Jim
Hoskins
Miriam and Sally Hosllins had come from
the house, carrying the guns, which they
handed to Robert lnrule, Pollock and the
swo boys.
. ny re all loaded, y said Miriam quietly.
Robert lnrGle took his rifle, and glanced
down at the lock 10 see that the cap was on.
Pollock and The boys watched him and fol-
lowed his motions
Why didn't g0u'ns bee an pray this
away { Big Jim Hoszins, afore yo' started
on this deyilEIenty" he asked
Weuns done that-afore God. we' uns
done hit walled the unhappy men we
uns got down our knees aiore him, an beg
ged an beseeched but we'uns mout ez well
We pied with hungry catamount He wuz
crazy mad an vowed an swore that cf We
nns didn't do hit We uns ID never see the
light o another sun. He'd hunt us all over
ChIlhowce MOuBtings but he'd kill us. an
we'uns knoned he'd 10 hit An this Is
only thu beginnin' o the things he's ;.-gwine
q do 4 70 am Clay Pollock lie vows an
sw ars he'll lot stop ez long cz yo' have a
root or d head o. STOCK on 70 land. OF Clay
Pollock's above ground I"
Robert Inrnle put his thumb on the ham.
mer Of his rife. and tested the hair-triruer,
Two or three times, IN an absent-minded way
They clicked quick and sharp, showing thai
they were in excellent order
:" s'pose The whole mountain-side Il
blame Toe tGr lettin' 20 uDs 20 without an,
punishment, = he said az length speakingeycl
more slowly than usual. But amt q.
ly own consent Z siainin' nay hands viii
the DioOd o sich 0rnery yanmints ez yo' air
1hars no nse punisllin' yo'. for yo' haint e;
'~"i'ii7A'ilits SZ u sheeID hlIiin
hound must settle with the man who so
Ho' up Z this. | won't even lecture yo'un
or whip yo'. Lec,urin' would be waste O
breath fer yo'uns air too weak T. have mi
have any effect on yo'. Whippin' yo' d b,
treatin' yo'uns ez eli yo'd done nothin' W, !.
than stealth a shoat. Git off nay place a
once, leat wise / change my mind. an trea
90 81 y dexirve."
The dali aeases of the Two Sang-dicner
were quick enough 20 comprehend ia / e,
had bSeD sIseal. They sprang to their feet