The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-11-21
CHAPTER xxi.
Plucked from the Burnino,

ldIeu was evident at a glance while
the nervous manner in which she
glanced in the direction of those dis.
tant gunshots, led Brant to lump to
the conclusion that they were in some
way connected with her appearance
"Oh, Lieutenant Brant," she cried
excitedly, they are going to kill him
down there, and he never did it at all
L know he didn't, and so does Mr.
Wynkoop Oh, please hurry No
body knew where you were, until I
saw your horse tied here, and Mr.
Wynkoop has been hunting for you ev-
erywhere. He is nearly frantic, poor
man, and l cannot learn where either
Mr.. Moffat or Mr.. Mcneil is, and
Just know those dreadful creatures
Will kill him before we can get help"
Kill whom?" burst in Brant, spring
ing down the bank fully awakened to
the realization of some unknown
emergency. My dear Miss Spencer
tell me your story quickly if you wish
me to act Who is in danger, and
from what?"
The girl burst into tears, but strug-
gled bravely through with her mes
sage.
It's those awful men, the roughs
and rowdies down in Glencaid. They
say he murdered Red Slavin, that big
gambler who spoke to me this morn
ing, but he didn't for l saw the man
who did, and so did Mr.. Wynkoop. He
iI1npnpH ont Cf ho
hand all bloody, and ran away. But
they've got him and the town marshal
up behind the Shasta dump, and swear
they're going to hang him if they can
only take him alive. Oh, just hear
those awful guns!"
Yes, but who is it?"
Bob Hampton, and-and he never
did it at ALL"
Before Brant could either move or
speak, Nadia swept past him, down
the steep bank, and her voice rang
out clear, insistent. Bob Hampton
attacked by mob? Is that true
Phoebe? They are fighting at the
Shasta dump, you say? Lieut.. Brant
you must act-you must act now, for
my sake,'
She sprang toward the horse, nerv-
ed by Brant's apparent slowness to re-
spond, and loosened the rein from the
scrub oak. Then I will 90 to him,
even if they kill me also, the
cowards!"
But Brant had got his head now
Grasping her arm and the rein of the
plunging horse, You will go home"
he commanded, with the tone of mill
tary authority. GO home with Miss
Spencer. All that can possibly be
done to aid Hampton I shall do-will
you go?"
She looked helplessly into his face
"You-you don't like him." she falter-
ed; Il know you don't But-but you
will help him, won't you. for my
sake?"
He crushed back an oath. Like
him or not like him. will save him if
be in the power of man. Now will
you go?"
Yes" she answered, and suddenly
extended her arms. kiss me first"
With the magical pressure of her
lips upon his, he swung into the sad
die and spurred down the road. 1t
was principle OF his military train
ing never to temporize with mob
he would strike hard, but he must
have sufficient force behind him. He
refined up before the seemingly desert
ed camp, his horse flung back upon its
launches, white foam fecking its
quivering tanks.
Sergeant" The sharp snap of his
voice brought that officer forward on
the run. Where are the mem"
"Playin' bail, most of en-, sir. lust
beyond the ridge"
Are the horses out in tue herd?"
Yes, sir"
Sound the recall; arm and mount
every man; bring them into Glencaid
on the gallop. Do you know the old
Shasta mine?"
mo, sir"
Halfway up the hiu hack Of the
hotel. You'll find me somewhere in
front of it. This IS a matte, of life or
death, SO jump lively now"
He drove in his spurs, and was or
like the wind. A number of men were
in the street, all hurrying forward in
the same direction, but he dashed past
them. These were minors mostly,
eager to have hand in the man.hunt.
Here and there rider skurried along
and joined in the chase. Just beyond
the hotel, halfway up the hill, rifles
were speaking irregularly, the white
puffs of smoke blown quickly away by
the stiff breeze. Near the center Of
this line of skirmishers a denser cloud
was beginning to rise in spirals.
Brant, perceiving the largest group of
men gathered just before him, rode
straight toward them. The crowd
scattered slightly at his approach, but
promptly closed in again as he drew
up his horse with taut rein. He look
ed down into rough. bearded faces.
Clearly enough these men were in no
mt spirit for peace making.
You damn feol!" roared one,
hoarsely, his gun poised as II in
threat, what do you mean by riding
us down like that? Do you own this
country"