Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-10-06

him had he done so; but, half crazed
with fear and with Jim Whites last
words ringing in his ears, he thought
only Of escape, and regardless OF the
construction which would be placed up
on his act he turned and broke into a
run again. A half dozen rifle shots fol-
lowed in rapid succession, and the
whistling balls, some Of which passed
close, spurred him on to redoubled ef-
forts. Just as he entered the timber ne
looked back again and saw that the
whole crowd was in hot pursuit, but his
long, hard run was now telling upon
him, and, strain as hard as he would,
he realized with sinking heart that
his pace was beginning to lag very per-
ceptibly. When he at length staggered
up to the cabin door, it was very evil
dent that his race was just about run.
AS he entered he reeled and would
have fallen had he not been nerved by
the frantic desire to rid himself OF
those accursed clothes. Terror lent
strength to his hands, and he fairly
tore the hateful garments from him.
Then he hastily donned the other old
suit, and, concealing the discarded as
best he could. he sank down in a chair
to await developments.
Then it suddenly occurred to him that
instead of returning to the cabin he
should have taken to the Fairplay trail,
where he would have been certain after
a time to have met Tom on his way
back, and then all danger would have
been at an eI d. perhaps it is not too
late yet" he thought, and, acting upon
the suggestion, he arose and started for
the door. But suppose the vigilantes
should take him away and hang him!
How would Tom ever learn Of his
fate? Acting upon sudden impulse,
he wrote this brief note, which he
placed in a conspicuous position upon
the table:
Dear Tom-If I am not here when you
come. It Is because the vigilantes have
taken me away and hanged me by mis-
take for that other Englishman. NED.
Then he opened the door and passed
out. He had gone perhaps fifty yards
when he was startled by the click OF a
rifle hammer and stern summons to
throw up his hands. He obeyed with
out hesitation. and moment later ne
was confronted by a great, rough
bearded fellow. who with shrill whis-
tie summoned several other men to his
side.
"Waal, ye didn't git away, did ye,
Jim?" said the man who halted Ned
and who seemed to be the leader Of the
party.
"My name isn't Jim," replied Ned in
q low, choking voice, for in imagina-
ton he already felt the hangman's
moose tightening about his neck. ITS
Ned Standish. and more unlucky
devil never lived"
Ned Standish. Is it?" retorted the
other. a broad grin overspreading his
face. "Waal, l reckon it'll be dead
Standish' In little WHILE" which sally
provoked roars of laughter from the
fellows companions. Ned. however.
protested his innocence so vehemently
that. despite the conviction Of his cap
tors that he was none other than Jim
White. it was decided to take him up
to camp and have his case decided
there Instead Of finishing him then.
as was evidently their first intention.
He then asked permission to 60 into
the cabin moment. which was grant
ed him. the men accompanying him.
His purpose was to let Tom know
where he was to be taken. and he add
ed to the note which he had already
written these words:
Three o'clock Thursday afternoon. They
are about 10 take me up to the camp.
He judged rightly that the men
would not attempt to destroy the note
or prevent him from writing what he
desired. Indeed. they looked upon 1t
as bluff and regarded 1t with
amused Indifference. About this time,
however. all incident happened which
nearly proved fatal to his hopes. for
one of the more curious Of the men
in prowling about the cabin unearthed
that awful suit of clothes. Shouts Of
triumph and cries Of derision at Ned's
protest greeted it's discovery. for 1t
was regarded as conclusive evidence
Of his guilt Some Of the men were
for taking him outside and finishing
him, especially the fellow who found
the suit. who denounced him as mur-
derer liar and scoundrel Of the deepest
dye. The leader, however, decided
to take him up to the camp. and this
was done without further delay.
Arrived here. he was taken to q
large. partially filled house. where a
number of men. presumably vigilantes,
quickly assembled. Then. with consid-
erable show Of formality, his trial be-
gan. A number of men were selected
to act as jurors. who seated themselves
OH boxes and barrels somewhat apart
from the others. Then the prosecution,
or whatever you may be pleased to call
it, offered its evidence. Several men
identified Ned as Jim White. and three
positively swore that they saw him fire
the fatal shots which had killed Dick
Allen and Ed Hope. Then the men who
had captured him told the story Of his
flight. capture and the discovery Of the
clothes concealed in Tom McIntosh's
cabin. which were identified by num-
ber Of men as those worn by White at
the time of the shooting. and then the
prosecution rested.
The evidence seemed overwhelming,
and that it was regarded as conclusive