The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-24

ed very far away and the Christian
hosts" had vanished, leaving not even
an echo from the clarion to give him
courage.
There had been a time earlier in tho
day, during the moments devoted to the
baby, when his interest in the fate of
the Mexican had sunk to a very low ebb.
and desire to get even with the other
boy had drowned all other sentiments
But since then his championship had
been renewed by the aid of romance and
inauguration; he had ceased to think Of
! the other boy, and his concern for Pete
increased as the danger became more
threatening. Tommy had suffered the us
ual fate of the champion, he was possess
sed by the cause in whose defense he had
enlisted
The first note of the horn announcing
the approach of the stage summoned
every man to the front of the store
Tame Dick was the only passenger. At
ter saluting everybody by name, Tommy
included, he leaned his crutches against
the side of the house and seated himself
on box to hear the news. But after the
distribution of the mail there was not the
usual interchange of items foreign and
domestic; instead, the cowboys, at a sig
nal from Thompson, forming in a kind of
procession, stroled away in the direction
of the Jail.
whats the meaning of that?" asked
lame Dick
Dunno answered the storekeeper.
None of my business" and he kept his
seat.
Tommy followed the men, at a dis
lance.
1t was but a small affair after all, this
taking a prisoner from the Jail. The
guard was but one man against many,
and possibly had not much spirit for re-
sistance.
There was a demand for the immediate
surrender of the Mexican. The jailer at
tempted remonstrance, but in the midst of
his repeated:
It's agin the law; it's again the law,
gentlemen, for me to open this door TO
ye." Thompson ordered it forced or the
keys given up
1t was the work of a moment, and then
Tommy saw old Pete trembling, speech
less and pallld with fright dragged forth
from the Jail.
He was led across the open space to
the rack where the horses were hitched,
his elbows strapped together and thrown
into a saddle with a cowboy mounted be-
hind him as additional security Then the
cavalcade put itself in motion in the d.
rection of Wildcat wood. Not a word was
spoken.
The. storekeeper had not moved from his
point of observation at his own door
Better not meddle with them feIlers
when they gets excited" he said
The stage driver nodded acquescence,
adding:
IT'S none of my business, no how. I
don't live about here"
TITS so still an hot an stif1lin and
smothery I'd say IT felt like a norther
-
It warn't so early i'm the season." contin-
ued the store keeper meditativcly
with this prairie on fire 'twould be a
pretty bad thing for the ranges on this
side of the creek, unless II could come
black an put 1t out" commented the
driver, rnotioning toward the bank Of
clouds in the northwest.
AS the horsemen entered the wood. leav-
ing behind them a long trail OF dust. held
suspended IN the heavy air an object
whrlng along on crutches. appeared in
the middle distance. IL was lame Dick
who boosted that n man must have more
than two good legs 20 get ahead of him
when there was anything going on In the
settlement.
Tommy. yho had sped away unnoticed.
by a short cut path through the high
grass and mesquite bushes, had already
reached the edge OF the wood. From his
hiding place behind tree he saw the
cripple pass. Then he stole through the
unberbrush an Within sight Of the clear
ing Otnown as "Hangman's Retreat since
the summary execution OF the tonderfooO
where tho dismounted horsernen, after
htchlng their horses, had assembled with
the prisoner.
They had formed Themselves IN SEMI
circle around Thompson, who, seated on
a stump With tho MeKioan covering before
him. was oyl.inily acting aa Judge
Tho Stern, threatening voice reached me
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