The National tribune., 1899-04-13

afternoon, and they say their friends are
getherin' for rescue. So many o. the right
kind O. the boys is away in the army that l
hardly know where to look for help. Pm
sending word around to all l kin reach.
There's several O. the boys that're home
gittin' we'll o. wounds that'll be glad to help.
Pm sendin' buggies for 'em. They can't
walk. but they kin stand up and shoot. I'd
like to have you come down to the Jail as
soon's you git through your supper. And,
Serg't Klegg. will you take commando l
amt much on the military, but I'll stay
with you, and obey orders"
"All right, Sheriff; we'll be right down."
responded 81 with alacrity. "Git together
few of tho boys, and we'll stand off the
Knights. There won't be much trouble, l
| think"
The prospect Of fight transformed Shorty.
His shamefacedness vanished instantly, and
he Strengthened up to his full hight, with his
eyes shining.
81 don't think there's need O. disturbin'
the other boys, Sheriff." he said. 81 guess
me and Sill be able to stand off any crowd
that they're likely to run up aginst us"
"Dont know about that" said the Sheriff
doubtfully. "They've bin gittin' sassier and
| sassier lately, and've showed more willing
ness to fight. They've put up several very
nasty little shindies at one place or another.
Out at Charleston ILL.,. they killed the Sheriff
and lot o. soldiers right in the Courthouse
yard in broad daylight. I believe they've
got rebels for officers. We mustn't take no
| chances"
| Let 'em come on, said 81. "Weve run
up aginst rebels before. We'il be down to
the Jail in few minutes, Sheriff"
The Sheriff7s words had banished the ready
| lauf tbo rIe' toll
their appetites, but seemed to have sharpened
those of 81 and Shorty.
Here, Maria," called ont 81, as he re-
sumed his place at the table with Shorty,
while the girls grouped together and whis-
pered anxiously, bring US in some more o.
them slapjacks We may have to be up all
| night, and want somethin' thatll stay by
u.s."
YES" echoed Shorty, speaking for the
first time since he had come into the house;
81 feel as if I'd like to begin all over
agin.
81 wish you could begin all over agin,"
said Maria in tone very different from her
former one. "Pd like to cook another sup
per for you. Iwish could do something to
help. Can't go with you, and do some
thing-load guns, or something? I've read
about women doin' somethin o. that kind in
the Injun ightin'."
"If you could git 'em within range o. your
tongue, Maria, +" said Si merrily, you'd seat
ter 'em in short order. No; you stay here, and
say your prayers, and 60 to bed like good
girl, and don't worry about US. Well come
out all right. It's the other fellers' women
folks that've cause to worry. Let them stay
up and walk the floor"
As the boys walked down to the jail they
Al l.
around in a portentOus way. At the Jail were
the Sheriff, wearing an anxious look, two or
three citizens, and several soldiers, some with
their arms in slings, Others on crutches.
Pm SO glad you've come" said the
Sheriff. Things is beginnin' to look very
ugly outside. They've got the whole country
stirred up, and men are coming in on every
road. You take command, Sergeant Klegg.
pve bin waitin' for you, SOS | could drive
over to the station and send a dispatch to
the Governor. The stations about q mile
from here, but I'll be back as soon as my
horse I'll bring me. | didn't want to send
the dispatch till | was sure there was need
of it, for don't want to bring soldiers here
for nothn'."
The wheels of the Sheriff's buggy ratified
over the graveled road, and q minute later
there was a knock at the outside door. ST
opened it, and saw there young man with
a smoothly -shaven face, shock of rumpled
hair, and wearing a silk hat, black frock-
coat, and seedy vest and pantaloons. 81 at
once recognized him as lawyerof the place.
"WhO's in charge here?" he asked.
81 am, for the present." said 81.
"There it is" said he, in loud voice,
that others might hear; "a military guard
over citizens arrested without warrant Of
law. l have come, sir, in the name Of the
people of Indiana, to demand the immedi-
ate release of those men,"
'You kin go, sir, and report to them
people that it won't be did" answered ST
firmly.
"But they've been arrested without due
process of law. They've been arrested in
violation of the Constitution and laws of the
State of Indiana, which provide" -
Z" l amt here to run no debatin' society,""
81 interrupted, "but to obey my ORDERS
which is to hold these men safe and secure
till otherwise ordered"
% give you fair warning that you will
save bloodshed by releasing the men peace
ably. We don't want to shed blood, but 4"
"We'll take care o. the bloo1shed, !" said
81, nonchalantly. "We're in that business.
We git $l3 month for it."
do you defy the sovereign people of In
diana, you. military autocrat?" said the
lawyer.
"Look here, Mister" said Shorty, striding
forward. Don't you call my pardner no
Names especially none like that. If you
want fight we're here to accommodate you
till you git plum-full Of it. But you mustn't
call no sich names as that, or Tll knock your
head Off"
"Whose head'll you knock Off" said
burly man, thrusting himself in front OF
the lawyer, with his fist doubled.
Yours, for example" " promptly responded
Shorty, sending out his mighty right against
the mans head.
''Dont be a fool, Markham" said the law
yer, catching the man and pushing him back
into the crowd behind. Now, sir, Sergeant,
or Captain, or Colonel, whatever you may
call yourself, for 1 despise military titles,
and don't pretend to know them, l again
demand the release of those men. You'll be
foolish to attempt to resist, for we've men
enough to tear you limb from limb, and
jerk down the Jail over your heads. Look
out for yourself. You can see that the court
yard is full of men. They are determined -
desperate, for they have groaned under the
iron heel Of tyranny -
80, cheese that stump-speech," said 81
weariedly. "Taint in our enlistment papers
to have to listen to 'em. You've bin warnin',