The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1908-01-23

Mason faced him. In shirt sleeves, his
head uncovered, en ugly "45" IN his
uplifted hand. Iust an instant the
eyes Of the two men met. neither
doubted the grim purpose OF the other.
You've got ter do 4. Bob, an.
nounced the marshall, shortly, dead
er alive"
Hampton never hesitRted. I'm sor.
~ | met you. / don't want TO get
anybody else mixed up IN this fuss.
II you'll promise me q chance for my
life, Buck. I'll throw up my hands.
But ! prefer a bullet to q mob"
The little marshal was sandy-haired
frecke-faced, and all nerve. The
crowd jammed within the Occidental
had already turned and we're surging
toward the door. Hampton knew from
long experience what this meant;
these were the quickly inhamed CO
horts of Judge Lynch-they would act
first, and reflect later. His square
jaws set like a trap.
"All right, Bob" said the marshal.
You're my prisoner, and thereu be
one hell Of a fight afore them lads
git ye. There's a chance left-leg it
after me"
Just as the mob surged out Of the
Occidental. cursing and struggling,
the two sprang forward and dashed
into the narrow space between the
livery stable and the hotel. Monat
CHANGED to be in the passageway, and
pausing to ask no questions, Mason
promptly landed that gentleman on
the back of his head in a pile OF dis
carded tin cans. and kicked yiciously
at a yellow dog which ventured to
snap at them as they swept past. Be
hind arose a volley Of curses, the thud
OF feet, an occasional voice roaring
out orders. and a sharp spat OF re-
volver shots. One ball plugged into
the siding OF the hotel, and a second
threw a spit of sand into their lower
ed faces, but neither man glanced
back. They were running for their
lives now, racing for a fair chance to
turn at bay and fight. their sole hope
the steep, rugged hill In their front.
Hampton began to understand the
purpose of his companion, the quick.
unerring instinct which had led him
to select the one suitable spot where
the successful waging OF battle
against such odds was possible-the
deserted dump Of the Shasta mine.
With every nerve strained TO the
uttermost, the two men raced side by
side down the steep slope. ploughed
through the tangled underbrush, and
toiled up the sharp ascent beyond.
At the summit OF the ore dump the
two men flung themselves painting
down, for the first time able to realize
what II all meant. They could per.
ceive the figures OF their pursuers
among the shadows OF the bushes be
low. but these we're not yentur.ng out
into the open-the first mad. Needless
rush had evidently ended. There were
some cool heads among the mob lead
erE, and il vas highly probable that
negotiations would be tried before
that crowd hurled Itself against two
desperate men, armed and entrench-
ed. Both fugitives realized this, and
lay there coolly Watchful. their breath
growing more regular. their eyes soft
ening.
"whut is al this fuss about, any
how" questioned the marshall. evil
IDENTIFY somewhat aggrieved. Il wus
Just eatin' dinner when a feller stuck
his head 10 an yelled ye'd killed
somebody over at the Occidental"
Hampton turned his face gravely
toward him. Buck, / don't know
whether you'll believe me OF noe but
I guess you neve heard me tell a lie.
or knew Of my trying to dodge out Of
a bad scrape. Besides. / haven't any
thing to gain now, for l reckon you're
planning 20 stay with me, guilty or
not guilty. but / did not XIII that fol.
low. / don't exactly see how I can
prove Il, the way it all happened, but
I give you my word as a man. l did
not kin him"
Mason looked him squarely in the
eyes. his teeth showing behind his
stiH. closely clipped mustache. Then
be deliberately extended his hand. and
gripped Hampton's. "Of course | De
lieve ye Not that you're any too
blame good. Bob. but you amt tho
kind what pleads the baby act. Who
was the fellerg'
Red slayin."
mo-" and the hand grip perccptibly
frightened. Holy Moses. what lugratl.
tude! why. the camp ought 10 get to
gether and give sc a vote OF thanks,
and Instead. here they are trying their
level best 20 hang you. Cussedest
Borter thing a mob Is. anyhow goes
like a flock o. sheep after a leader,
an / bet I could name the fellers who
are a-runnin' that crowd. How aid
the thing happen
Both men we're intently observirs
the l~ngatheriug Of their scattered pur'
suers. but Hampton answered grayely,
telling his brief story with careful de
tail. approaching the importance OF
reposing fun confidence in this quiet.
~resourceful companion.