Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1906-03-31


walking up and down outside. Hank!
what was that? The man had cooked
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 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, strange mixture
cowboys, bronco busters, and sheep
herders, red faced Texans, and swarthy
ENTHUSIASTICALLY the bitterest of en-
emies-now for the first and only time
in their lives standing shoulder to
shoulder as comrades, to fight in CON-
mon cause.
"To the hotel, boys" said voice, Ed.
Clinchers. 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.
| Lights were dancing in the windows
there, people running to and fro in
mortal fright, for it was said that a
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 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, were pale-faced visitors.
The judge, Il 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"
1--WE search your house room by
ROOM Boys, Clincher spoke over his
shoulder, ten of you follow me, and
needn't say, keep your guns handy"
He moved a pace nearer, and the
men behind him gave their rifles a
sling forward raising shrek of
|
"Stay, sir" the Judge said solemnly.
you shall answer for this to the Gov
ernor of this Territory, though | 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.
Ia. n1A,. ho rr1
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 a
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
Clinchers 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 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 limo.
cent man of murder, and by means OF
bribery had him condemned to death
Now, answer this question, and re-
member You are on your oath-Who
killed Ben Slade?"
The prisoner breathed hard. His
flabby 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 a 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. | did not"
Clincher held up his hand.
Drop that" he said sternly. "Givt
; him the bullet
A small conical pellet of lead was
shown to the prisoner who started ant
then tried to smile contemporary.
'It is a rifle bullet" Clincher said
very quietly. ogden, by your evi
dence, only carried a revolver. YET
the bullet you hold now was found in
,, SHADES body, and fits your rifle ex
: actly."
A moment of silence, while Lassitel
tried to speak-and failed
Answer me again" thunderet
Clincher.
: There was low gurgling cry, ant
the Sheriff fell grovelling at Clincher''
: feet
. Mercy, mercy" he whispered. "Fol
Gods sake have mercy, and | will"
!, "Stop-" Clinchers eyes flashed fire
! and cast away hands that had clutchet
his