Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-12-27
CHAPTER XIII.
The Door Closes.

dropped their neaVy burden on the
earth. Mason swore as the blood be-
gsa dripping again from his wound,
which had been torn afresh In his ef-
forts to bear Hampton to safety. Just
below them a mounted trooper caught
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
. 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 ellis
(don't forget the nance 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, upturned
face.
You'd better lie down, Marshal"
b commanded. You're pretty weak
from loss Of blood, and ! can do all
there Is to be1done until those fel-
lows get here"
In Is 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. Il have 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 the
Occidental. Is that true?"
The missionary nodded.
Good then come along with me.
I intend breaking the back of tn 5
lynching business right here and
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 a reaction
came, and the American spirit of fair
play, the frontier appreciation of bull
dog courage, burst forth into a con-
fused murmur, that became half a
cheer. Brant did not mince his
words.
/. Now, look here, men! If you want
any more trouble, we're here to &C.
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 a parcel of fools
OF yourselves. Slavin has been killed
and nine out Of ten among you are
secretly glad Of 1t. He was a curse
to this camp, but because some Of his
friends and cronies-thugs, gamblers
and dive keepers-accuse Bob Hamp
ton Of having killed him, you start in
blindly to lynch Hampton, never even
waiting to find out whether the charge
10 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 lister
to the facts, and If you must hans
some one. put your rope on the right
man. Bob Hampton did not kill Red
Slavin. The fellow who did kill hin
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 SC
did your school teacher, Miss Spen
GER"
Then Wynkoop stepped gamely t.
the front. "All that is true, men.
have been trying ever since to tel
you, but no one would listen. Miss
Spencer and | both saw the man jumI
from the window; there was blood OF
his right arm and hand. He was mis-
shapen creature whom neither OF US
ever saw before, and he disappeared
on a'Tun up that rayine. | have NJ
doubt he was Slayins murderer"
Now, you fellows, think that over
said Brant Il intend to post a guard
until find out whether you are going
to prove yourselves fools or men, bu
If We sail in again those of You whC
start the trouble can expect to ge
hurt, and pay for the piper. That.
all"
In front of the hotel porch he me
his first sergeant coming out.
What does the doctor say abou
Hampton"
"A very bad wound, sir; but not nee
essarily fatal; he has regained con
seriousness"
'Has Miss Gillis arrived?"