The Rich Hill tribune., 1908-02-06

die and spurred down the road Il
was a principle OF hts military train.
ing never 10 tomporlEe with a mob
he would strike hard, but he must
have sufficient force behind him. HO
refined up before the seemingly desert
ed camp, his horse flung back upon tie
launches. white foam decking It's
quivering nanks.
Sergeant" The sharp snap OF his
voice brought that officer forward on
the run, Where are the meng"
"Playiu' bail, most OF EN-. sir. Just
beyond the ridge"
Arg the horses out In the herd9"
Yes. sir"
Sound the recall; arm and mount
every man: bring them into Glencaid
on the gallop. DO you know the old
Shasta mine ?"
NO, sir"
Halfway up the hill back Of the
hotel, Youn find me somewhere in
front Of it. This is a matter Of life or
death, SO jump lively now"
lie drove in his spurs. and was on
like the wind A number OF men we're
in the street, all hurrying forward in
the same direction. but he dashed past
them. These were miners mostly.
eager to have a hand in the man-hunt.
Here and 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 stin breeze. Near the center OF
this line of skirmishers a denser cloud
was beginning to rise IN splrals.
Braut percelving 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 we're in no
ft spirit for peace making.
You damn fOOl," reared one,
hoarsely, his gun poised as II in
threat. what do you mean by riding
us down ike that? Do you own this
country"
Brant flung himself from the saddle
and strode in front Of the fellow. 4
mean business. You see this uniform
! Strike that, my man, and you strike
the United states. Who is leading
this outfit?"
Il don't know as it's your affair. %
| the man returned. sullenly. we amt
/ takin' no army orders az present. mis-
ter We're frec,born American ciu-
| zens. an ye better let us alone"
THAT Is not what / asked You. and
| Brant squared his shoulders. his
hands olnched my question was.
Who is az the head os this outft. and
| want an answer"
/ The spokesman looked around upon
| the others near him with a grin Of de-
rision "Oh. ye do. hey2 Wen. / reck-
on we are. Il you must know. Since
| Big Jim Larson got it in the shoulder
| this outfit right yere hes bin doin'
most OF the brain work SO if we've
| got anythin' ter say. mister officer
man. / reckon ye better spit it out
yere ter me. an sorteT relieve yer
mind"
who are YOU"
The fellow expcctorated vigorously
| into the leaves 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
I blame odds? He cant do yo no hurt.
The mans look became dogged
I'm Ben Cotton, II itll DO Sc any good
to know"
Il thought / had seen you some
where before" said Brant. contemptu
ously. and then swept his glance
about the circle. "A nice leader OF
vigilantcs you are. a fne representa-
tive Of law and order. a iayeIy speci
men OF the free born American
citizen, Men. do you happen q
know what sort Of a cur you are fol
lowing Ia this anairf"
"Oh. Beu'B an right.
what ye got against him. younS
foilor?"
Just this. and Brant squarely
fronted the man. hts voice ringing Ike
! steel i've seen mobs before to-day
| and I've dealt With them. I'm moi
afraid OF you or your whole outht
aud I've got fighting men TO back me
y up. never set saw any mob which
wasn't led and incitcd by some COW
ardly, reyongeful rascal Honest mei
get mixed up IN such AFFAIRS, but thol
are invariably inAamcd by some low
. down sneak with an az TO grind.
confess I don't know all about thii
Cotton, but 1 lnow enough 70 say h
: is an army deserteT. a liar. dive
keeper, a gambler, and, 10 nay certaii
: knowledge. the direct cause Of th'
death Of three men. one soldier o
. my troop. Now isn't he a sweet speci
, men 20 lead IN the ayengins Of sup
posed crimeg"
! Whatever else Cotton might hav
failed In. he was a man OF action Lik
: a flash his gun few 30 the level, bu
] hss d