Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-07-15
winch ne pointed an

you must go 10 your room. Do not be
afraid Tor Senior DcIgherty. II he does
as tell him be Will not be harmed.
senior, you must re me your weapons
ana promise not TO leave this -oom.
AT once. he added threaten i~gly. as l
hesitated
Seeing no alternative l complied As
he fastened the door from the outside
making me prisoner. I heard hoofs
and looking through the iron-barred
window l saw my company of Rangers
In the moonlight. They halted sud
denly jose. standing on the porch with
a leveled revolver. was telling them to
line up. l guess that the Spaniards'
OBJECT was to stand them back until
his two friends had escaped through
the rear / admired his nerve. but I
could see that he had made one grave
m,ScalculGtion.
An American, Robinson. had fallen
behind and now rode up too late to be
Included in the general hold up. Grasp
Ing the situation. Robinson fell back
and fired a shot from the darkness. His
aim was tad, the bullet striking a foot
above Jose's head. could see the
Spaniard shrink uneasily, but he held
his ground. In another second Robin
son would have fired again and Jose
would very likely have fallen, but lust
the door and put herself before him.
With cry she dashed the revolver
from his hand and in the confusion the
Rangers soon had Jose prisoner.
We'll, Seniors, said the Spaniard
haughtily, when his hands were tied
behind him, what will you do with
me?'
You know the CUSTOM replied
Captain Blake sternly. You will be
shot
Carlotta. after playing her part, had
been led away trembling to her apart
ment by her father, which verdugo
seemed to note with satisfaction.
There are two requests he said.
that l would like to make. First, that
my death be put on till morning Sec
ond, that l. be shot out Of hearing of
this house and that Senorita Ramirez
be kept in ignorance until 1 am dead.
1t is dangerous for us to delay re-
piled Captain Blake, but In recognition
OF your bravery, Senior. will grant the
request
'verdugo was then permitted under
close watch to write some letters, after
which he was escorted to an unoccu-
pied cabin on wooded hill above the
| Ramirez place where Captain Blake
! proposed to spend the night with his
men.
'Dougherty,' he said to me. I will
detail you to watch this man until
morning.
Il had time then to do deal of think
| ing. Here was a man for whom the
woman loved had a more tender feel
ing than for me. Verdugo had saved
my life and later had given Carlotta up
TO me, when, as 1 was certain. a word
would have brought her to him, / had
a chance TO repay him with his free
| dom. but after all IL l did SO | would
violate a soldiers duty.
AS l Illuminated upon this there was
a noise In the bushes back of Jose. Car
lotta Ramirez. closely wrapped. was ap-
preaching stealthily. II she had seen
me at all in the shadow OF the cabin
she might have presumed naturally
/ enough by my attitude that was nan
| ping. She crept noiselessly to Jose's
side and with few quick strokes freed
him. He clasped her in his arms
moment and kissed her. Then he dash
/ ed of toward the bushes
81 stood rooted to the spot for a mo-
ment- Recovering myself and spring
Ing toward him I raised my rife. / was
excited and knew that / must shoot
| quickly. / did not note that Carlotta
was on line with the running man.
/ fired and there was a scream that
have never forgotten. Flinging down
my rife / leaped over the FIRE to the
fallen girl, only half realizing the awful
thing had done.
Jose had heard the scream too and
returned as l was STOPPING over her.
My God, she is dead he cried,
| and then turning on me like
| demon he plunged his knife into my
neck. I staggered back, defending my
self the best could. He had not time
20 follow up the attack, for the men
came running from the cabin and
would soon have recaptured him had
he not made the most OF his chance
for escape.
Jose. as we learned, rejoined his lit
tie ban OF outlaws and for many
months we pursued him unsuccessful-
~. l for one did not wish to capture
him. knew that there were many of
/ his purSuers who, in like circum-
stances, would have sworn upon that
| night Of his escape, undying ven
| geance.
! Gentlemen. understand that Jose's
| followers offer on condition of his re-
lease. to quit the valley. In the light
OF these things the twelfth juror con-
tinued. I stand for Verdugos acquit-
| tall"
Following Captain Dougherty's story
there was a thoughtful silence in the
jury room. The men had been touched.
But as the twelfth juror glanced from
face to face he read the unanimous
opinion. A plucky young "greaser's"
past misfortune was no reason why
hardened murderer's neck should not
stretch.
Wed like to accommodate you,
Captain, the foreman cordially as
sured him, but we can't do it. I be-
lieve. gentlemen, that we're all agreed
except Captain Dougherty, and If he
won't come over to Us ] reckon we'll
have to be discharged"
In that case" said Dougherty quiet
~, having no desire to cause the need
less delay OF new panel, capitulate
and cast my vote as guilty. l wash my
hands of the business"
And the eleven voted him a gentle
man.