Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-01-18

@NAO vi nv 60 nj sSt NelieNe yer
mind"
who are your"
The fellow expectorated vigorously
into the leaves under foot. and draw
ing one hairy hand across his Inns.
flushed angrily 10 the unexpected in
quiry.
"Oh. tell him. Ben. What's the
blame odds? He can't do ye no hurt"
The mans look became dogged.
I'm Ben Cotton. if tn do We any good
20 know"
Il thought I had seen YOU some
where before" said Brant. contemptu-
ously. and then swept his glance
about the circle. "A nice leader OF
vigilantes you are. a fine representa-
tive Of law and order. a lovely speci-
men OF the free born American
citizenl Men. do you happen to
know what sort of a cur you are fol
lowing in this AFFAIR.""
"Oh. Ben's all right"
What ye got against him, young
fellerg"
Just this" and Braut souarely
fronted the man. his voice ringing like
steel. I've seen mobs before to-day.
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. I never yet saw any mob which
w2sa't led ard melted hy somo cow
ardly, revengcful rascsL Honest men
get mixed up in such affairs. but they
are invariably inhamed by some low
down sneak with an ak 20 grind. 7
confess I don't know an about this
Cotton. but I know enouch TO say he
is an army dcscrter, q liar. dive
keeper. a gambler. ard. Co my certain
knowledge. the direct cause of the
death of three men. one q soldier OF
my troop. Now isn't he sweet speci-
men TO lead I'm the avereing Of a sup
posed crime"
Whatever else Cotton mi-ht have
failed in De was n man GO action. Like
fash his gun few 20 Gre level but
was instantly knocked side By the
grizzlod old miner stantI-e next him.
None o. that Ben. he grovled.
warn,ngly. Il don't never pay to
shoot holes En- Uncle sam"
Braut smiled. lie was not there
just then Co heht. but to secure delay
until his own men could arrive. and
90 turn aside the fierce mob spirit II
such a result was found possible.
II really would enjoy accommodate
ing you. Cotton" he said cooly. feel
ing much more no ease. "but I never
hcht personal battles with such Eel.
lows as YOU. And nov. YOU other
men &c is about time you woke up to
the facts OF this matter. a couple OF
hundred of YOU chasing after two
men. one an officer Of The law doing
his sworn duty. and the other inuo-
cent Of any crime. 7 should imagine
you would feel proud Of your job"
Innocent Holli"
"That Is what I said You fellows
have gone of half-cocked-a mob gem
orally does. Both Miss SPENCER and
Mr.. Wynkoop state positively that
they saw the real muir orer OF Red
Slavln. and 80 was not R.h Hampton"
The men were impress "a 30 his evil
dent eornestness. his unQuostionod
courage. Several voice spoke almost
az once.
"Is that rirht2"
ooh. say. ] saw the follow with hts
hand On the knife"
after we cit the chap. wen give
Thorn people chance 90 toll what
they know"
Brarts kccnly attentive cars heard
the far-o1 chus Of numerous horses
feet
4 rather think YOU Will" he said.
"a ..rs
sudden authority.
He stepped back. lifted a silver
whistle to Dis lirs and sounded one
sharp. clear note. There was grow
ing thunder CO boots. quick. manly
cheer, a crashing through the under
brush. and @ squad Of eager trooners.
halfdressed but with faces glowing
in anticipation of trouble. came gal
looping up the slope SWINGING out into
line rs they advanced the.r co~hfac.
cleaning In Tic sunlight. Il was
prettily. sharply performed. and their
officers face frightened
Very nicely done. Watson" ne
said TO the cxpoctant sergeant. DE
ploy your mcn TO loft and right and
clear out those shooters. Make
good job Of il. but no nriag unless
YOU have TO-"
The troopers went az IL as n they
enjoyed the task, fSEc.ng their FESTIVE
horses through The thickets. and
roughly handling more than one who
ventured 10 question their authority.
Yet the work was over In less time
than it takes 10 tell. the discounted
regulators driven pell-meli down the
hill aud back iat0 the town. the eager
cavairymen hating only at the com
mand Of the bugie. Brant, confident
OF his first sergeant ia such emergen-
cy merely paused long enough to
watch the mon deploy. and then press.
ed straight up the hill. alone and on
foot. That danger to the besieged
was yet imminent was very evident.
The black spiral of smoke had be-
come an cnveloping cloud, spreading
rapidly in both directions from its
original startinSpoint lie arrived
finally where the ground was charred
black and covered with wood ashes.
still hot under foot and smoking. but
he pressed upward, sheltering his