Amador ledger., 1906-04-06


his rifle. Another sound-horses. a
score of them at least, challenge from
the guard, curt reply in a voice
which Ogden knew; then silence fol-
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 it now.
There amt time"
John looked around. All about him
were mounted men, 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.
To the hotel, boys" said voice, Ed.
Clincher's. Not a sound We have
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 a few minutes.
there, people running to and fro in
mortal fright, for it 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 it in an unbroken
ring
Judge Sauderbach, portly and respec-
table, stepped out upon the porch.
Behind him on the stairway to the
upper story, We're pale-faced visitors.
The judge, tall, fine-looking man,
asked with an injured air of dignified
surprise what they wanted.
The storekeeper answered. "The
Sheriff of this town, Judge"
The Judge smiled, 9EHe 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
l needn't say, keep your guns handy"
He moved pace nearer, and the
men behind him gave their rifles a
sling forward, raising a Shrek of
terror from the ladies on the stairs.
quay, OIL, IuC uuSS Sdlu y.
''You shall answer for this to the Gov
ernor of this Territory, though 1 can
not resist you now.
He stepped inside a room near the
door, and the men waited in grim
silence. At last tall slouching figure
came slowly down the passage into the
lighted hall.
Cover him." said Clincher sharply,
and ten rifles were swung to shoulder,
and again the ladies shrieked. The
Sheriff, however, raised his hands
above his head and stood still In
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
Clincher'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
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 this
Bible to tell the truth" The prisoner
advanced, and in a husky tone took
the oath, touching the Bible with his
lips.
you are on trial." the storekeeper
continued, ''before these men who are
responsible for this town in right of
being the first settlers in the country,
and having most stake in it.
you have this day accused an inno-
cent man of murder, and by means OF
bribery had him condemed to death.
Now, answer this question, and re-
member you are on your oath-Who
killed Ben Slade?"
The prisoner breathed hard. His
fabby face was yellow and his fin
gers twitched, but he held his head
high and smiled in Clincher's face.
John Ogden, the man arrested
to-day"
Clincher turned his head, and made
a sign to man near the door.
Bring in Maxine Gallegos." The
Mexican boy came in, very frightened,
but able to give his evidence clearly.
The prisoner laughed. did you ever
know a greaser to tell the truth?"
Call John Ogden"
John was cool now, and spoke short
ly, to the point. When asked if he
had any questions, Lassiter merely
shook his head. But he was not smil-
ing now. ''I'll swear against a thous-
and oaths. l 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 contemptously.
"It is rifle bullet" Clincher said
very quietly. ogden, by your evi-
dence, only carried revolver. Yet
the bullet you hold now was found in
Slade's body, and fits. your rifle ex-
actly."
A moment of silence, while Lassiter
tried to speak-and failed.
Answer me again" thundered