, 1906-05-09
HAN1LIN GARLAND

SOii 80 49, - 49,
and get our carriage there"
Unconsciously clinging to his arm,
Ann went down the back street as In a
dream.
They were already too late. The
cross street was packed with men, and,
looking down the hill, they saw the
sheriff and his posse coming six abreast
like Il squad of cavalry. riding slowly
up between the walls of stern and
silent citizens of the great camp. Each
deputy carried Il rifle across the POM
mel of his saddle, and at their head,
preceding eve the sheriff. rode Mat
thew Kelly. His head was bare, and
in his hand a long revolver cleaned.
There was something in his face, in the
lift of his head, that awed men. AS he
came he called out, not loudly, but
every word could be heard:
"Aisy now. boys! Respect the law.
Aisy, | say! This is no fight of yours.
Down with your guns. There are wo-
men and children to think of. Kape the
peace"
Raymond looked Mt Ann with eyes
whose light amazed her. "By the Lord,
/ wish | were by his side!' He spoke
through his set teeth.
Cor she said. do not mind me.
Go help him."
Her voice recalled him.
mo, my place is here" and his look
meant more than any word he had ever
dared to speak to her.
In the square Kelly halted. and the
sheriff, throwing up his hand, COM
manded silence. He was visibly trem-
bling, but he clustered to his purpose.
"Where is your mayor and your chief
Of poiiceY'
The chief stepped forth. Here l am!
What do you want of meY'
q want you to deliver to me the
men who assaulted Mackay."
The chief waved his hand toward the
hills. They are up there; go get
themr' and a roar of derisiye applause
went up.
Kelly raised his hand. "Boys, hear
me. This is the sheriff, the properly
constituted authority of this county.
Be quiet, now, and listen to reason"
The sheriff, gaining courage, took up
the theme. Il have no war with
Bozle," he said. 81 came to get the
men who abused Mackay and who de-
fed my authority"
well. go get them" repeated n man
in the crowd. what are you doing
here? You came here to intimidate us,
and you can't do It,"
The crowd, moved by some sinister
impulse, closed round the sheriff and
Kelly. cutting them off from the main
body of deputies. This movement
opened a way of escape. and, expect
ing each moment to zeal the crackle
of guns, Raymond hurried Ann across
the street and into the musty waiting
room of the livery barn.
"Where Is that teamT' he shouted to
a hostler who was looking out Of a
side door.
1.-THE boss took It,"
Whose horse is this with the saddle
on?'
The hostler looked down for n No.
ment. Superintendent of tombstone"
"Mqpynard's"
II thought 30. Well, you tell him
that Rob Raymond borrowed him for
a lady" He turned to Ann. Come;
we must get out of this"
She obeyed like n child, all her i'm
perious nature in subsection to his will.
Lifting her to the saddle, he led the
bA,.cn out tIn hooI- x-o aud 4h,o,,rb m
alley into the main street and SO to the
hills. AS they reached Il fairly level
spot in the trail he turned and looked
back over the roofs of the houses.
1.-THE sheriff is neutrality-suspicious.
he shows good sense." He pointed
Munro's vedettes stood waiting, back
ed by a thousand miners, %jocular with
battle hunger, shouting faint defiance.
II am sorry to be such a burden to
you," said Ann. 81 know you longed
to be there with Matthew Kelly, and
l have forced you to flight"
Il will be honest. l had that i'm
pulse. You see, I've. been so in the
naDlt or mixing in-but it was only a
flash, for you were beside me-" And
then he added, And you are more to
me than any other thing in the world"
She had ne reply to this, II 10 neat
turn of phrase, no smile. She looked
away in silence, her breath a little
troubled, her throat contracted.
In fear of the effect of his words,
Raymond fastened to the impersonal.