The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-08-15

With the Magical pressure OF her
lips upon his, be swung into the sad
die and spurfed down the road. It
was principle Of his military train
ing never 70 temporize with mob
he would stfike hard but he must
have suficIent force behind him He
5reinedsnp before the seemingly desert
ed camp. his hotse dung back upon It's
5haunches white foam decking It's
quiyertng fanks
Sergeant The sharp map Of his
voice brought that oficer forward on
the run, Where are the men!s
sPlayin, ball most Of ,em, sir. just
beyond the ridge" ~
Are the horses out in the herd2s
sYes, SIR
Sound the recall; arm and mount
every man; bring them into Glencaid
on the gallop, Do you know the old
Shasta miner
mo, SIR
"Half.way up the hill back Of the
hotel. You'll find me somewhere in
front Of 1t. This is matter Of life or
death, 50 Jump lively now,l"
ne drove ia his spurs, and was on
like the wind. A number Of men were
in the street, all hurrying forward in
the same direction, but he dashed past
them. These we're minors mostly,
eager to have a 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 stif breeze. Near the center Of
this line Of skirmishers a denser cloud
was beginning to rise in spirals.
Brant, perceivlng 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
fit spirit for peace making.
"You damn fool" roared one,
hoarsely, his gun poised as If in
threat, what do you mean by riding
US down like that? Do you own this
country"
Brant flung himself from the saddle
and strobe in front OF the fellow. u
mean business. You see this uniform?
Strike that, my man, and you strike
the United States. Who is leading
this outhtG"
81 don't know as it's your affair"
the man returned, sullenly. We amt
takin' no army orders at present, mis-
ter. We're free-born American citi-
gems, an ye better let us alone"
THAT is not what / asked you" and
Brant squared his shoulders, his,
hands clinched. my question was,
Who is at the head Of this outfit? and
l want an answer."
The spokesman looked around upon
the others near him with a grin Of de;
risfon. "oh, ye do, hey? Well, l reck..
on we are, II you must know. Since
Big Jim Larson got it in the shoulder,
/ this outfit right yere hes bin dom
most Of the brain work. So If we've
got anythin' ter say, mister officer
man, 1 reckon We better spit 1t out
yere ter me, an sorter relieve yer
mind"
who are your"
: The fellow expectorated vigorously
into the leaves under foot, and draw
ing one hairy hand across his lips,
flushed angrily to the unexpected in
quiry.
blame odds? He can't do We no hurt"
The mans look became logged.
I'm Ben Cotton, If it'll do We any good
to know"
81 thought l had seen you some
where before" said Brant, contemptu.
ously, and then swept his glance
about the circle. "a nice leader Of
yigilantes you are, a fine representa-.
tive Of law and order, lovely speci-
men Of the free born American
citizen! Men, do you happen to
know what sort of cur you are fol
lowing in this affair?"
ooh, Ben's all right"
What ye got against him, young
feller%
Gust this" and Brant squarely
fronted the man, his voice ringing like
steel. i've seen mobs before today,
and I've dealt with them. I'm not
afraid Of you or your whole outfit,
and I've got fighting men to back me
up. never yet saw any mob which
wasn't led and melted by some cow
ardly, revengeful rascal. Honest men
get mixed up in such affairs, but they
are invariably inflamed by some low
down sneak with an ak to grind.
confess don't know all about this
Cotton, but know enough to say he
is an army deserter, liar, a dive
keeper, a gambler, and, to my certain
knowledge, the direct cause OF the
death of three men, one soldier OF
my troop. Now isn't he sweet speci-
men to lead In the avenging Of sup
posed crime?'
Whatever else Cotton might have
failed in, he was man Of action. Like
a flash his gun flew to the level, but
was instantly knocked aside by the