Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-28
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killed. from a frosty sky.
at seemed quiet enough as we came
through town" suggested the captain.
well, it'll be less quiet Directly was
the grim rejoiner. 1T isn't generally known
over in the south end of Castle township
that we've got Schultz. Messengers are
out, though, stirring EN- up, and there IL
be the devil to pay about midnight A nara
lots on hand now, gettin' keyed up IN the
saloons. Some of EN- had the nerve TO tel
me they'd take Schultz away from me.
When such cattle can do that, II resign,
he finished scornfully.
where do you want US, sheriff? I've
got fifty men with me.
Right here on the front steps. 1t gives
you a clear view to the street every way
so they can't surprise YOU
rs there another door to the jail?
AT the back but I've got twenty depu-
ties with Winchesters to guard that.
Capt Nesbit bored neat little hole IN
the snow with his sword before speaking
again. Sheriff, do you think a voiley
over their heads would scare them, pro-
viding. of course, they conner
MY deputies are ordered not to waste a
shot" returned the sheriff, bluntly. All
this crowd belong to the Seven Nations,
and they're hard citizens. They laughed
when they heard you fellows was COM
ing; said they weren't afraid the
sheriff hesitated.
"Of tin soldiers" finished Capt Nesbit,
for him. "Oh, I know what they say.
Well, let them come"
The sheriff's' face frightened at some
thing in the little officers attitude and
words Good boy" he said, simply.
1t was nearer 1 o'clock than II when
the sentry on the corner saw a mob of
perhaps 200 stra ggling up the street. The
other Sentries, who had been patroliing
the sides of the building, were called in,
D,,1 fha onrDy, fn1- nod in
across the broad stone platform at the
front. An electric arc light over the
ponderous doors brought out in detail the
broad eXpanse of snow.
Capt. NeSblt felt a mad excitement
growing within him as the mob turned
onto the broad lawn, but he fought it
down. Don't lose your heads, boys he
warned. Don't load your pieces till or
dered, and wait for commands in firing.
This is the time to show the stuff that's
in you
"All right, cap" ran along the line. The
men spoke cheerfully and confidently.
The sheriff, revolver in hand, pushed
his way through the soldiers until he
stood beside Capt. Nesbit on the first
step. Halt. there!' he shouted, when the
mob was still thirty yards away. What
dye want?"
A tall man whose beard hung down his
breast, and who wore cartridge belt
buckled outside his overcoat, advanced a
few PAGES. A rifle lay in the hollow of his
arm BEHIND MIN, IN the forefront OF the
restless, growing crowd, Nesbit could dis
Germ men with sledges and crowbars.
You know what we want-that hound Of
a Schultz
and you can't have him, Link Burgess
If you come too near somebody'll get
shot"
Bah, Tin soldiers! Come on boys"
Somebody in the rear of the mob flung a
stone. An ugly murmur rose from the
troops Then suddenly a short, 1.-THE figure
calmly walked down the steps toward the
mob. his rifle covering the mob. The half
drunken crowd stood amazed at this move
and on the sudden silence a clear, deter
mined voice rang upon the keen night air.
I've got something to say to you men
before this shooting scrap begins bull
let from the enemy whiZzed through the
air and buried itself at the foot of the
prison steps. A trooper cursed, but Nesbit
gave no order to fire-only stood there
straight and soldierly, with his rifle aimed
at Link Burgess.
so long as you listen to what have to
say there won't be any shooting from our
side. The minute you turn loose on us
your games up. You're not dealing with
raw recruits now, but the crack infantry
shots of the state guard. At the last tar
get practice we carried off about all the
prizes worth having
ribald Jest at the speaker, whose voice ala
not change, nor did his arm WAIVER
ITS up to you to settle this thing in the
next two minutes. We're going to hold
schultz for the government that has sworn
us in In your effort to get your man you
may kill few of us, but 1t won't De
circumstance to what we Will do TO you.
'Fool!' muttered the sheriff and started
forward One of Nesbits young heuten-
ants pulled him back. The mob had turned
oddly silent.
you can't scare us worth a cent! For
every crowbar and sledge hammer you nave
we've got a round of ammunition that will
cut down your ranks like hay in your own
fields"
His figure Strengthened a bit and a Ger
tain contempt rang in his voice, which
seemed to impress his listeners as no diplo-
matte phrase might have done.
I'VE don't give a curse how many of you
fellows we shoot down-if the time comes
that we must. We're for the law and you
are against 1t. But there's others we do
care for, your wives and your children. Be-
fore you fire another shot or fling another
stone just ask whether you want your fam
lilies raised by the county! How many of
you'd like to think of your children grow
ing up on the poor farm? Is the sight of
Schultz dangling to a rope worth this price?
What's he to your wives and children?' He
stepped back pace. A sWaying movement
like wind rushing through the branches of
a tree seemed to animate the mob. But
Nesbit had not finished.
Think that overland then: shoot-and
you to tell the tale"
Without lowering his rifle he flung his
orders over his shoulder to his men:
e Company-with ball cartridgeS-load!"
There was a clicking Of breech-locks as the
cartridges were slipped into place.
Aim
Like row of mechanical figures the men
behind him obeyed the ringing command.
Then Capt. Nesbit smiled Not stone
not a bullet came from the mob in front of
him. Suddenly Link Burgess stepped for
ward. his hand outstretched.
''Shakei Fur tin soldier, yer all right
You're grit clear through. If the Judge is
like you Schultz will get all that's comm to
him. Anyhow-well, there'u be some wo-
men in this here county blessin' you tomor-
rer"
And, like sheep, the sienced, unresentful
mob followed its leader away from the
grim, even line of watchfu soldiers
The sheriff sprang forward and crushed
Nesbit's hand in his.
Drop 1t, old chap" said the young cap
TAIN wincing at his touch. You see, that
first bullet went through-my arm!'
Capt. Nesbit received two kilograms that
morning, which he numbers among his
dearest possessions The first was from the
governor, and read:
You have saved the state the disgrace of
a lynching, and earned an old mans graft
tude l asked that you be sent there for
| knew Tom Nesbit's son was equal to the
task. God bless you.''