The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-08-26

He crushed back an oath. Like
him or not like him, 1 will saw him If
be in the power of a Now will
you go?"
YES" she answered, and suddenly
extended her. arms. Kiss me first"
With the magical pressure of her
lips Upon his, he swung into the sad
die and spurred down the DAD 1t
was a principle of his military train
ing never to temporize with a mob
he would strike hard, but he must
have sufficient force behind him. He
refined UP before the seemingly desert
ed camp, his horse flung back upon its
launches, white foam decking its
%quivering tanks
Sergeant" The sharp snap of his
voice brought that officer forward on
the run. Where are the menu"
"Playin' ball, most of 'em, sir, just
beyond the ridge"
Are the horses out in the herd?"
Eyes, sir"
Sound the recall; arm and mount
every man; bring them into Glencaid
on the gallop. Do you know the old
Shasta miner"
No, sir"
Halfway up the HIN back OF this
hotel. You'll find nae somewhere N
front of it. This 10 . natter OF life or
death, so jump lt~Ssy nov.f"
He drove in his spurs, and was on
Ill the wind. A number of men were
in the street, all hurrying forward in
the same direction, but he dashed past
them. These were minors mostly,
eager to have a hand in the man-hunt.
Here n there a rider skurried along
and Joined in the chase. Just beyond
the hotel, halfway up the hill, rifles
were speaking ~irregularly, the white
pufs of smoke blown quickly away by
the stiff breeze. Near the center of
ehis line of skirmishers a denser cloud
was beginning to rise in spirals.
Brant, perceiving 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,
h~oarsely. his gun poised as II in
Y ma w yOo hACoA ~ A4AA5
us down like that? Do you own this
country? ?"
Brant flung himself from the saddle
and strobe in front of the fellow. 81
mean business. You see this uniform?
Strike that, my man, and you strike
the United States. Who lis leading
this outit?"
81 don't know as it's your affair.""
fha nor rofrr1nd crI1onlu EFVUn oin'f
takin' no army orders at present, mis-
ter. We're free-born American citi-
zens. an We better let us alone"
That is not what 1 asked you," and
Brant squared his shoulders, his
hands clinched. MY question was,
Who is at the head of this outfit? and
l want IN
The spokesman looked around upon
the others near him with a grin OF de-
rision. "Oh, We do, hey? Well, I reck-
on we are, IL 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 IL we've
got anythin' ter say, mister office
man, 1 reckon We better spit it out
yere ter me, an sorter relieve yer
mind"
VINO dT0 you.
The fellow expectorated vigorously
into the ave under foot, and draw
ing one hairy hand across his lips,
flushed angrily to the unexpected in
quiry.
"Oh, tell him, Ben. What's the
blame odds? He can't do We no hurt"
The mans look became logged.
Tn Ben Cotton, If it'll do We any good
to know"
81 thought 1 had seen you some
where before" said Brant. contemptu-
ously, then swept his glance
about the circle. "a nice a OF
v~igilantes you are, a fine representa-
tive of Law and order, a lovely speci-
men of the free born American
citizeni Men, do you happen to
know what sort of a cur you are fol
lowing in this AFFAIR.""
"Oh, Ben's all right"
What We got against him, young
feller?"
Just this" and Brant squarely
fronted the man, his voice ringing Ike
steel. I've seen mobs before to-day.
and I've dealt with them. I'm not
afraid of you or your whole outnt,
and I've got fighting men to Jack me
up. 1 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 infiamed by some low
down sneak with an TX to grind /
confess / don't know all about this
, Cotton, but ! know enough to say he
is an army deserter, q liar. a dive
keeper, a gambler. and, to my certain
knowledge. the direct cause of the
death of three men. n a soldier of
my troop. Now IN he a sweet speci-
men t lead in the avenging OF a sup
posed crime2"
Whatever else Cotton might have
failed in. he was a man of action. Like
a flash his gun flew to b level. but