The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-08-13

were brought out, and the whole party
rode through the driving rain and tenn
pest to the Mexican's hut.
The door was burst open, and before
the Surprised occupant could use his
weapon he was seized and bound, and
thrown helpless on the floor. Before
he was disabled. however, he managed
to seize and retain small knife, which
he thrust into his sleeve.
To his questions he got but scant re-
plies. The jury were ushered into a
their verdict, after few questions had
been put to the criminal, who protest
ed his innocence.
One byStander, more humane than
the rest, volunteered to act as prison
er's advocate, and addressed the jury
as matter Of form, for he knew the
strangers doom was sealed.
After pause the Jury again retired,
and in few minutes the self-appointed
judge, knocking at the door, asked for
the verdict To the astOnishment Of the
bystanders, the answer was, mot
Guiltyv'
A cry Of Joy escaped the Mexican;
an exclamation of disappointment was
vented by Ogden Smith. But the Judge
drew his revolver, and, beckcning to
the committee, replied, calmly:
Gentlemen, you'll have to do better
than that Try again; and this time at
tend to the evidence"
II III 90
he spoke, and the jury retired again.
They were not long left undisturbed.
for time was passing, the tempest was
increasing in severity, and the commit
tee had some distance to ride that
night. In five minutes the judge again
called them, and this time the obedienf
twelve gave the verdict "Guifyr'
"Qulte correct" said the judge; II
approve. Its verdict. Garry out the
sentence, yew," he added to two Of his
associates. "And now, gentlemen,
think we've done our duty; the bosses
wait. Hev We anything to sayF he in
quired of the criminal.
The poor man pleaded earnestly for
mercy. and protested his innocence
wildly, but it was useless. The ma jor-
ity Of the party then left the hut, and
the two men, placing their unhappy
prisoner astride mule. unbound him,
except for turn of the rope on his left
wrist, and walked beside him to the
place of execution. There his outer
clothing was taken from him, and his
boOts-those fatal witnesses-laid aside.
He was then fastened to a tree. The
place of execution was we'll chosen. 1t
was a low point jutting out into the riv
er, Just above the rapids. The current
was running swiftly, swollen by the
melting SHOWS and the tremendous
rain, which was still descending in tor
rents. From this point the river de-
scended rapidly. Higher up, but then
obscured by the thickly falling rain and
mist, was high ridge, which projected
across the river, and formed sort of
bowl-like enclosure, In the center Of
which was land Isl q small wooded ISL
and. Below this spot the river divides.
1t becomes narrower, and passing on
the right side over small rocky break
water, or natural barrier, 1t takes ire
mendous leap sheer one hundred feet
over the rock, spreading out from the
base for many feet In its descent. On
the left side Of the island the stream
has worn away the rock to great ex-
tent, and on that side the water hurries
down rapid at steep angle, eEd at
the bottom meets deep water, which
drives In O swift current over to the
right shore, to strip of beach on low
ground-a watering station for animals.
The men charged with the execution
had well chosen the place. The pris-
oner stood with hands clasped as one Of
his guardians was making prepare
lions, and the other stood ready to fire
should the prisoner attempt to escape.
One was adjusting the cord upon
neighboringtre underneath which the
mule had been already led. when an ex-
clamation from him made the other
guardian turn his head. The quick-eyed
Mexican seized his opportunity. With
q swift sweep Of his right hand he sew
cred with the concealed knife the rope
at his wrist, and with desperate
backward spring he threw himself into
the eddying, boiling river.
The heavy splash was the first inti-
nation that the other men had of the
Mexican's escape; and, with revolver
ready, one waited till the swimmer
should reappear.- He rose, and struck
out boldly for the opposite shore. The
man raised the pistol, when his COM
panion stayed his. arm.
"Give him q chance, Bob" he said.
"You or me may want good turn some
day; and, besides, don't b'lieve he lift
ed them animals. Soft Smiths an
idjit."
well, mebbe yer right" replied the
other, as he returned his pistol. poor
chapv he added, with touch Of feel
ing to which he had long been stran-
ger. "Poor chap! the fall will save US
the oh. anyhow"
"He's gone?' replied the other. "He
can't git over, eh?'
you bet" exclaimed his companion.
"He's right enough, do declare; he'll
git out now!'
Meantime the unfortunate fugitive
was struggling vigorously to gain the
center of the stream. He was swim
ming strongly, hand over hand, and ev-
cry now and then he cast a glance at