The Delta independent., 1906-04-06
one will lend me pencil and piece

one will lend me a pencil and piece
of paper on the way to
Tramp, tramp tramp. The guard was
walking up and down outside. Hark!
what was that? The man had cooked
his rifle. Another sound-horses.
score of them at least, challenge from
the guard, a curt reply in voice
which Ogden knew; then silence foi-
lowed by the sound of a key turning IN
| the door, then
"Out of this, boy. Come" A tall
figure stood in the doorway, beckoning.
"Old man-Hame." John gasped.
That's me. No word on 1t now
There amt time"
| John looked around. All about him
were mounted men, a strange mixture
cowboys, bronco busters, and sheep
herders, red faced Texans. and swarthy
Mexicans-usually the bitterest OF en-
emies-now for the first and only time
in their lives standing shoulder to
shoulder as comrades, to fight in com
mon cause.
ITO the hotel. boys" said voice, Ed.
Clincher's. Not sound. We have
a willy steer to rope, and must work
clear around him before We throw.
They wheeled; and. with John and
Hame in the centre, galloped down the
one road Calhoun possessed. reaching
Sanderbach's hotel in few minutes
Lights were dancing in the windows
there. people running to and fro In
mortal fright, for 1t was said that
party of cowboys mad with drink were
about to shoot up the town. The scare
had Just begun, and before anyone
could leave the place Hame, Clincher,
Collett and Bacon, with a force Of fifty
men, were round 1t in an unbroken
ring.
Judge Sauderbach. portly and respec-
table, stepped out upon the porch.
Behind him on the stairway to the
upper story, were paIe-faced visitors.
The Judge. n tall, fine-looking man,
asked with an injured air of dignifed
surprise what they wanted.
The storekeeper answered. The
Sheriff of this town, Judge"
The Judge smiled, He is not here,
my friend"
I'VE search your house room by
room. Boys. Clincher spoke over his
shoulder. ten Of you follow me. and
I needn't say. keep your guns handy"
He moved a pace nearer. and the
men behind him gave their rides q
sling forward, raising a shrek Of
terror from the ladies on the stairs
Stay. sir" the Judge said solemnly.
You shall answer for this to the Gov
ernor of this Territory. though l can
not resist you now.
He stepped inside a room near the
door. and the men waited in grim
lsilence. At last tall slouching figure
came slowly down the passage into the
lighted hall.
"Cover him." said Clincher sharply,
land ten rifles were swung to shoulder.
and again the ladies' shrieked. The
Sheriff, however. raised his hands
above his head and stood still. In q
moment they had closed around him.
in a few more the porch OF the Sand.
erbach Hotel was deserted.
Meanwhile. In the kitchen Of Ed
IClincher's house collected a small com.
pany Of men. the same who had supped
there some hours earlier. Before
them stood Burt Lassiter. guarded. At
a table in the center of the room sat
Ed Clincher. a Bible at his left hand
and a big six-shooter at his right.
Burt Lassiter." he said. rising. and
taking up the Bible, swear on thfs
Bible to tell the truth" The prison
advanced, and in q husky tone To- <
the oath. touching the Bible with 5
lips.
L hou die oh NiAhi. NHt slpEtht'.
continued, before these men who e
responsible for this town in rirhi (
being the first settlers in the coun y.
and having most stake in II.
You have this day accused an In y
cent man Of murder. and by means Z
bribery had him condemned to dea l..
Now. answer this question. and =
member you are on your oath-N D
killed Ben Slade?"
The prisoner breathed hard. Nis
habby face was yellow and his in
gers twitched. but he held his h.ad
high and smiled in Clincher's fac
John Ogden, the man l arrCs'rd
To-day"
Clincher turned his head. and ma e
a sign to n man near the door.
"Bring In Maximo Galleros." "a
Mexican boy came in, very frightcn l..
but able to give his evidence clearl'
The prisoner laughed. did you ever
know greaser to tell the truth
Call John Ogden"
John was cool now. and spoke short
ly. to the point. When asked IL he
had any questions, Lassiter merely
shook his head. But he was not smil-
ing now. '.l'll swear against thous-
and oaths. did not"
Clincher held up his hand.
Drop that" he said sternly. Give
him the bullet"
A small conical pellet OF lead was
shown to the prisoner. who started and
then tried to smile contemporary.
1T is a rifle bullet" Clincher said
very quietly. ogden. by your eyi.
dence. only carried revolver. Yet
the bullet you hold now was found in
SHADES body. and fits your rife cx-
actly."
A moment OF silence. while Lassiter
tried to speak-and failed.
Answer me again" thundered
Clincher.