Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-14
CHAPTER XIII.
The Door Closes.

dropped their heavy burden on the
easth Mason swore as the blood be-
gan dripping again from his wound,
which had been torn afresh In his eft.
forts to bear Hampton to safety. JUS.
below them mounted trooper caugh.
sight of them and came forward. He
failed to recognize his officer In the
| begrimed person before him, until
called to attention by the voice OF
command
Sims, if there is any water In your
canteen, hand it over Good; here.
Marshal, use this Now, Sims. note,
what say carefully, and don't waste
q minute. Tell the first sergeant to
send file of men up here with some
sort Of litter, on the run. Then you
ride to the Herndon house-the yellow
house where the roads fork, you re-
member-and tell Miss Nadia Gillis
(don't forget the name) that Mr..
Hampton has been seriously wounded,
and we are taking him to the hotel.
Can you remember that?"
YES sir
"Then OF with you, and don't spare
the horse"
He was gone instantly, and Brant
began bathing the pallid, upturne1
face.
You'd better lie down, Marshal"
he commanded. You're pretty weak
from loss of blood, and can do all
there is to be done until those fell
lows get here"
In IL minutes they appeared, and
Ave minutes later they were toiling
slowly down to the valley, Brant walk
ing beside his still unconscious rival.
Here and there down the street, but
especially about the steps of the Occi-
dental. were gathered the discounted
vigilantes, busily discussing the affair.
and cursing the watchful, silent
guard. AS these caught sight of the
little party approaching there were
shouts OF derision. The sight and
sound angered Brant.
Garry Hampton to his room and
summon medical attendance at once :"
he ordered. II have q word to say to
those fellows"
Seeing Mr. Wynkoop on the hotel
porch, Brant said to him: Miss
Spencer informed me that you saw a
man leap from the back window Of tie
Occidental. Is that true?"
The missionary nodded.
Good; then come along with me-
l intend breaking the back Of this
lynching business right here ard
now"
He strobe directly across the street
to the steps of the Occidental, his
clothing scarcely more than smolder-
ing rags. The crowd stared at him
sullenly; then suddenly reaction
came, and the American spirit of fair
play, the frontier appreciation of bull
dog courage, burst forth into con-
fused murmur, that became half a
cheer Brant did not mince his
words.
Now, look here. men! II you want
any more trouble, we're here to ac-
commodate you. Fighting is our
trade, and we don't mind working at
it. But / wish to tell you right now,
and straight OF the handle, that you
are simply making q parcel of fools
of yourselves. Slavin has been killed,
and nine out Of ten among you are
secretly glad Of it. He was curse
to this camp, but because some of his
friends and cronies-thugs. gamblers
and dive keepers-accuse Bob Haup-
ton of having killed him, you start in
blindly to lynch Hampton, never even
waiting to find out whether the charge
is the truth or lie. You act like
sheep, not American citizens Now
that we have pounded little sense
into some of you, perhaps you'll listen
to the facts, and if you must hang
some one, put your rope on the right
man. Bob Hampton did not kill Red
Slavin. The fellow who did kill him
climbed out of the back window OF
the Occidental here, and got away,
while you were chasing the wrong
man. Mr.. Wynkoop saw him, and so
did your school teacher, Miss Spen-
GER"
Then Wynkoop stepped gamely to
the front. Cali that is true, men. l
have been trying ever since to tell
you, but no one would listen. Miss
Spencer and both saw. the man jump
from the window; there was blood on
his right arm and hand. He was mis-
shapen creature whom neither OF US
ever saw. before, and he disappeared
on a run up that ravine. | have no
doubt he was Slavin's murderer"
Now, you fellows, think that over"
said Brant. II intend to post guard
until find out whether you are going
to prove yourselves fools or men, but
if we sail in again those of you who
start the trouble can expect to get
hurt, and pay for the piper. That's
ALL"
In. front Of the hotel porch he met
his first sergeant coming out.
What does the doctor say about
Hampton"
"A very bad wound, sir; but not nee
essarily fatal; he has regained con-
seriousness"
HAS Miss ellis arriyed?"
II don't know, sir; there's young
woman cryin' in the parlor.'
The lieutenant leaped up the steps
and entered the house But is was
Miss Spencer, not Nadia, who sprang
to her feet.
ooh, Lieut.. Brant; can 1t be truly
rw$,