Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-07
CHAPTER Y.

Shaf lEh v.
Turning toward the men who had
swarmed around him, DUNCAN spoke in
q loud voice and an earnestness Of man.
ner that commanded attention:
"You all know me well enough to
know haven't grain Of pity for horse
thieves. This part Of the state has sui.
fered so mnch from that sort Of people
during the last ten years and the courts
have been SO slow In getting hold Of
them that we formed ourselves into
vigilance committee Of the whole %
regulate things. and fattsr myself
we've had tolerable success in the bus
ness.
He paused for a reply" and received
q thundcrous one There We're general
nodding of heads and ordinations Of
approval.
''And we intend that the good work
shall go on" he resumed. "A rope and
the limb Of the nearest tree is our medi
cine for men that have an itching for
other folks property in the shape OF
borseflesh. But. boys, We all believe IN
fair play Now. while you and me are
satisfied that the man standing ON ,'other
side IT the table il Hank Boyer. and no
one else, there's one chance in a million
that he amt That chap over there by
the door calls himself Dick Early. He's
stranger 90 us. and there amt any
denying that he looks like Hank. II no
had u,istsche, he would look more
like him than Hank does himself.
He laughed at his own faoetiousness,
and the forbidding countenances were
lii up with approving grins
"Once or twice when he stood there
talking" added DUNCAN, alluding TO
me. GIVE noticed something that was u
little odd--that is. that didn't seem to
he quite like Hank. / can { tell what II
is. but mebbe some II You have observed
the same. "
He looked around again for signs Of
assent, but unfortunately there was
none. No one shared his doubt, and
Squire eager spoiled the possible effect
Of his appeal by sad swaying OF his
head and the remark:
Hank has been away long 'nough to
pick up some differences of speech, II
that is what you mean, Jim. but you're
way of.
In another respect this remark served
me we'll II reused the resentment Of
Jim. Evidently he was the leading
spirit Of the neighborbood 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 rs he said;
"Wral. 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 man standing at the leaders
elbow.
THAT don't make no difference. ]
have"
"How are we going TO have them
aforesaid doubts removed:" asked the
squire.
II have a plan that will do it." 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 il looks against Hank, give the
poor devil show"
Il 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 il, hut the rude chivalry
Of his nature answered my appeal. BE
intended to respite me until morning,
when none would be more eager than
he To poll the rope over the limb with
me dangling from the end Of it.
The mans personality impressed !t-
self upon the rough group. They &c
cepted his decision and looked expect
antly at him for further orders.
well hold this fellow till tomorrer
morning. Then, il matters stand as they
seem to be now-that is. il we haint
found out that he's what he says he Is
why that ends it +"
"Will you bind himG" asked one Of
the mob
"If you're afraid no might bite you,
we'll put 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
of il. Well take his gun away from
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 dor"
A general nodding Of the heads
showed how quickly the leader had
nodded the turbulent spirits into his
way of thinking.
"I'll app'int," he continued, looking
round the room into the different faces
ICY 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.
/ promptly handed them over with
| the remark:
II 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
few minutes in low tone with the
host, and then, turning to me, spoke
loud enough Or all to hear:
"Young man, whether you are Hank
Beyer OF not, we're going to give you a
show for your life. Tom Bulfinch 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"
az 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"