Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-05-17


This is bad business"
"Yes. we don't want no lynching, but
it's lucky Oakley isn't here. / hadn't
thought OF what he'd do If he was"
What a pity he ever sent for his ia
ther! But who could have foreseen
thlsY" said the doctor sadly. McClin'
took shook his head.
IL can't believe the old man killed
Ryder in cold blood. Why, he's as gen
tie as a lamb"
As they left the town off TO the right
in field they saw a bareheaded WON
an racing after her two runaway sons
and then the distant shouts Of men,
mingled with the shrill cries Of boys,
reached their ears. The doctor shook
out his relns and piled his whip.
What If we are too late" he said.
For answer McCllntock swore. he
was fearing that himself.
Two minutes later and they were up
with the rear of the mob, where II
struggled along on foot, sweating ana
dusty and hoarsely articulate. A little
farther on and It was lost to sight in
thicketed dip Of the road. out Of this
black shadow buggy after buggy fash
ed to show In the red dusk that lay on
the treeess hillside beyond. On the
mob's either flank, but keeping well
out Of the reach of their elders, skunk
and skulked the village urchlns.
Looks as II all Antioch was here to-
night" commented McCllntock grimly.
80 much the better for us. Surely
they are not all gone mad" answered
the doctor.
81 wouldn't give a button for his
chances"
The doctor drove recklessly into the
crowd which scattered to the right and
left.
McCllntock, bending low. scanned the
faces which were raised toward them.
"The whole townships here. Idon't
know one in ten," he said, straighten-
ing up.
II wish | could manage to run over
"a few" muttered the doctor savagely.
AS they neared the forks of the road
DR.. Emory pulled in his horses. a
heavy farm wagon blocked the way,
and the driver was stolidly Indifferent
alike to his entreaties and to Nc
Clintocks threat to break his head for
him II he didn't move on. They were
still shouting at him when a savage
cry swelled up from the throats Of
those in advance. The murderer was
being brought in from the east road.
The brutes" muttered the doctor.
and he turned helplessly to McClin-
took. What are We going to doi
What can we dor
BY way Of answer McCllntock stood
up.
Il wish | could see jim"
But Jim bad taken the west road
three hours before and was driving to-
ward Barrow's Sawmills as fast us
McElroy's best team could take him.
When he reached there II was enough
to make ones blood run cold to hear
the good man curse
You wait here, DOCTOR" cried Nc
Clintock. you can't get past, and
they seem to be coming this way now
Look out for yourself. Milt."
Never fear for me-"
He jumped down into the dusty,
trampled road and foot by foot fought
his way forward.
As he had said, those in front were
turning back. The result was hor-
rible jam. for those behind were still
struggling to get within sight of the
murderer. A drunken man at Nc
Clintock's elbow was shouting, Lynch
him." at the top OF his lungs.
The master mechanic wrenched an
arm free and struck at him with the
Hat of his hand. The man appeared
surprised, but not at all angry. He
merely wiped the blood from his lips
and asked in an injured tone, which
conveyed mild reproof: What did
you want to do that fory don't know
you" And as he sought to maintain
his place at McClntock's side he kept
repeating: SAY neighbor, don't know
you. You certainly got the advantage
OF me-"
Soon McClintock was In the very
thick OF the mob, and then he saw the
captive. His hands were bound, and
he was tied with ropes to the front
seat OF a blackboard drawn 10y two lad
ed horses His captors were three iron
tawed, hard faced countrymen. They
were armed with shotguns and were
AnNAksfpfv thAlv -, a.