Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-01-14

spirit of the neighborhoOd and was not
accustomed to be opposed like this, even
by Squire eager. noticed the flash of
his gray eye and the compression of his
thin lips as he said:
"Waal, we'll take till tomorrer morn
ing to drive out what doubts we have
in mind.
"But we hain't got no doubts Jim,"
remarked "A man standing at the leaders
elbow.
THAT don't make no difference. l
have.
"How are we going to have them
aforesaid doubts removed?" asked the
squire.
Il have plan that will do il" was
the reply of DUNCAN.
was satisfied that he had no definite
scheme at that moment, but that he ex-
pected to hit upon something decisive.
''Begging your pardon, gents, think
Mr.. DUNCAN is right. No matter how
black it looks against Hank, give the
poor devil show
1t was Hank himself who made this
remark, and nothing could have been
more polite. At that moment there
was not person in the room besides us
two who was not morally convinced
that | was the real criminal. Jim Dun
gan believed it, but the rude chivalry
of his nature answered my appeal. He
intended to respite me until morning,
he to pull the rope over the limb with
me dangling from the end of it.
The mans personality impressed it
self upon the rough group. They ac-
cepted his decision and looked expect
antly at him for further orders.
"We'll hold this fellow till tomorrer
morning. Then, if matters stand as they
seem to be now-that is, if we hain't
found out that he's what he says he is
why that ends it."
"Will you bind him?" asked one of
the mob
'If you're afraid he might bite you,
we'll put a muZZle on to him, replied
Jim with fine sarcasm, and a general
guffaw followed.
"No, gents" he added, 'we won't
tie him up, cause there amt any use
VI NC IL tdhC iiS away Iipii
him, set him in the very chair from
which he has riz and put two men to
watch him through the night. How
will that do?'
A general nodding of the heads
showed how quickly the leader had
nodded the turbulent spirits into his
way of thinking.
"Ill app'int," he continued, looking
round the room into the different faces,
"Cy Walters and Archie Hunter the
guards. They'll stay here with the pris.
oner all night, ready to shoot him on
the first move. Hank, I'll trouble you
for your shooting iron and cartridges,
said DUNCAN, turning abruptly toward
me.
1 promptly handed them over with
the remark:
81 surrender with pleasure to you
and place myself at your disposal, "
He showed the weapon without speak
ing into his capacious hip pocket, the
rest of the crowd looking silently on.
Night had fully come and an oil lamp
was lighted by Landlord Bulfnch and
placed on the table. DUNCAN talked for
a few minutes in a low tone with the
host, ard then, turning to me, spoke
loud enough for all to hear;
Young man, whether you are Hank
Boyer or not, we're going to give you
show for your life. Tom Bulfnch will
need this room, so we'll place you in
another. AS you've heard, Cy Walters
and Archie Hunter will stand guard
over you.
81 haven't the pleasure of knowing
the gentlemen.
"That S Cy standing in the corner OF
the room. He sarved with Morgan
through the war, and he's in favor of
stringing you up without five minutes
delay"
That's so,' remarked Cy, with an
emphatic nod. 1.-THE most favor I'd give
that chap is to let him have the 'witch's
parole. That's me every time.
1t sometimes happened in wartimes
that prisoner convicted or believed to
be guilty Of some heinous crime was
told to 1un for his life while several Of
his captOrs discharged their guns at him
as he strove to get beyond range. In
variably he was brought down at the
first volley. This constituted the
"witch's parole"
Cy Walters was a big six footer, with
his heavy, sandy beard reaching almost
to his eyes, which were small and pierre
ing. He wore a dilapidated straw hat
and tousled garments, the trousers tuck
ed in the tops of his enormous boots
He was one of the few who had a Win
chester, which probably he had carried
through the war, and there could be no
question that he was an expert in its
use. AsI learned afterward, he was
lieutenant under the partisan leader
Morgan and was one of his most terri
BILE raiders He had the reputation Of
being absolutely without fear and had
no patience with Dungan's leniency.
sit won't do to try any nonsense on
Cy," said DUNCAN in low voice to me.
"He wolld be glad of an excuse to
shoot you"
81 thank you for wishing to sea jus
tice done, " said i'll the came guarded
voice.
"Oh, pshaw, Hank, you didn't fool
me, " he replied, Il only chucked that
bluff to give you time To say your
prayers You'll swing tomorrer at day
light dead sure!'
"Where's Archie Hunter" | asked,
ignoring the meaning Of his words.
"Hc's Cy's steps0n and chip Of the
old block. That him talking with Cy. 4"