Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-08-06

charge of my duty?" he clustered.
Not q bit, Bud. not bit,' Bill said;
a them with sudden ,resolye-it would
mean his life. and the lives of others
against them. perhaps, but he meant
to fight II necessary--he added: But
were goin' to see that you do It, We
amt afraid Of a trial and jury" He
took the crowd into his confiGerle.
i There isn't a jury In the State that
wouldn't present the prisoner with a
vote Of thanks and a silver service
for. gettin, rid Of Cash Hawkins"
4 He turned to Bud with his men
about him. Who's goin' to help you
/ take him seventy-f1ve miles to jail?"
he demanded. "Will you swear lis
! linz"
| But Bud only answered, "You can't
mtimidate me Bill"
"As defunct has gun in each hand
its a clear case of self-defense, any
way" Bill pointed to the two reyol.
Ivers still clutched in the dead mans
|stiffened hands.
Il don't stand for this thundered
Bud. "Clear the room"
He had been rather a friend of Big
|Bill's-most of them were in Mavericl,
$50 he had listened to him longer
than he would have to any of the
other men, but now he was throw oh
with his arguments he must assert
his authority .,....
"Clear the room; this prisoner goes
! with me-"
There was a movement from the
crowd. Bill looked appealingly at Jim
Why would not the boss speak? Just
as the crowds had reached the doors
Jim said to Bud, who was ADVANCING
to formally arrest him:
4 Wait minute Take the trouble
to examine my gun"
Bud lifted Jim's gun and looked a,
1t closely. "Well?" he asked.
ed" DoeA u'sona' 9
Bud quickly verified the fact that the
4 gun was completely loaded. He paus
ed moment irresolute Then, with
i a sudden suspicion, he said:
You've had time to reload it,
The men were eagerly walchine
the scene between the two men.
Smell it." Jim said. quietly. 81
"Ah!" Bill breathed. It was like
Jim to play the trump card.
4
his nose. 1t was as clean and fresh
smelling as a. bit of cold steel. There
could be no doubt that 1t had not beer
used, and Jim had all these men al
witnesses to prove It,. 1t would be
usely to try to make case Of this
Bud knew when he was beaten He
took the revolver and handed it .c
Jim.
well, who did it, then 2" He glanced
at Im's men. Would .yous al
oblige men by giving me "a snuff Of
your guns?" g
i The relief was so great that the
men Historically crowded Bud, and NJ
most as one man thrust their revol
vers into Buds face.
/ Here's my smoke" said one.
/ Bud drew back. One at time
one at time,"', he gasped-"if yor
please"
Then one by one, the men filed pas,
him es each held Ms6revolver to Buds
nose. ,e,.
Here's my smoke.machine," Bill
said. 1t was passed by Bud without
q word.
"Und fine" said Andy.
Grouchy jerked his into Buds face
with the words, Here's mine and not
a notch on It," And Bud could not
deny the truth Of the assertion.
All that Shorty nervously demanded
was, "How's that?" as he jerked the
revolver into Buds face.
In Maverick this was evidence
enough for Bud-evidence that SO fal
all were free to go.
i "Why didn't you's all say SO be
fore?" he growled annoyed at the
turn affairs had taken. Then he saw
the expression on their faces, laugh
ter and glee as they crowded around
Jim; when they looked at him, toler
ant amusement The cmelling Of
the smoke.machines they regarded as
la fine new move on their part.
i Damn IT," Bud Numbered. you've
been astringin' me while the guilty
mans escaped; but I'll git hinn-I'l
git HIM yet"
| Jim saved! 1t was all that the boys
wanted. With whoop-la they tore
after Bud Down the platform the,
4 fed, all in excitement with the new
sensation of the moment-the hum
with Bud for the guilty man
Near the table lay gray glove
Jim stopped and picked 1t up. ant
put it quietly to his lips. Bill. who
had fingered near the door, sudden
lily turned and came back to Jim an6
put his arm about him.
you just escaped lynchin'. Jim
And Jim knew that Bill spoke the
truth.
/ He held the glove folded close If
his hand as he answered, Eyes, I'm
almost sorry
Bilfs face became grave. What die
the boss mean? Was the game toe
hard for him? Was he afraid he
would lose on the ranch deal? He
patted him tenderly, almost like {
mother humortng a wayward child
without saying word. Jim sanl
into a chair. Bill understood-the
boss would like to be alone, SO he
sauntered up to the back and Joined
Nick. In his heart there was bui
one thought; Jim should see how vel
. they would all serve him. He swore
la mighty oath thu. he would see the
others did 50, too
off oil Tim 10 ;,x1,I