The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-02-07

4 "'"A ANNhA'ooAe lhioutu the CROWD
Halfway down the broad steps Bucl
Mason faced him. In shirt sleeves. HIS
head uncovered. an ugly AS" in his
uplifted hand. Just an instant the
eyes OF the two men met, neither
doubted the grim purpose of the other,
You've got ter do II. Bob" an
nounced the marshall. shortly. dead
er alive"
Hampton never hesitated. I'm sor-
ry | met you. | don't want 10 get
anybody else mixed up in this fuss.
II youll promise me chance for my
life. Buck. Ill throw up my hands.
But prefer a bullet to a mob"
The little marshal was sandy haired.
freckle.faced. and all nerve. The
crowd damned within the Occidental
mad already turned and were 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
nrst' 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 We. There's a chance left-leg IL
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. Mofat
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 viciously
at a yellow dog which ventured TO
snap at them as they swept past. Be
hind arose volley OF curses, the thud
or 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 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 fair chance 10
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.
lnerring instinct which had led him
% select the one suitable spot where
he successful waging Of battle
against such odds was possible-the
deserted dump of the Shasta mine.
With every nerve strained to the
lttermost, the two men raced side by
ide down the steep slope. ploughed
through sthe tangled underbrush. and
oiled up the sharp ascent beyond.
st the summit Of the ore dump the
wo men flung themselves painting
own. for the first time able TO realize
that II all meant They could per
Give the figures OF their pursuers
mong the shadows Of the bushes be
Nv. but these were not ventur.ng out
ito the open-the first mad. needless
ash had evidently ended. There were
ome cool heads among the mob lead
rs, and IL was highly probable that
egotiations would be tried before
lat crowd hurled itself against two
esperate men. armed and entrench-
4. Both fugitives realized this, and
y there coolly watchful, their breath
rowing more regular. their eyes soft
ling
"Whut Is all this fuss about, any
)w?" questioned the marshall, evil
entity somewhat aggrieved. Il wus \
st eatin' dinner when a Teller stuck
S head in an yelled ye'd killed
over at the Occidental"
Hampton turned his face gravely
ward him. Buck, don't know |.
neither you'll believe me or not, but II
guess you never heard me tell lie. II
knew of my trying TO dodge out OF
bad scrape. Besides, haven't any
ing to gain now. for reckon you're \
aiming TO stay with me utility or
It guilty, but / did not xii hat fell =
W. / don't exactly see how I can
owe II, the way it all happened. but
give you my word as a man, / did l.
I kill him" l.
Mason looked him squarely in the /
es, his teeth showing behind his |
IN, closely clipped mustache Then L
deliberately extended his hand, and "
ipped Hamptons "of course | be -
We ye. Not that you're any too 81
sme good. Bob. but you amt the
nd what pleads the baby act Who -.
IS the feller?" ~
Red Slavin."
MOI" and the hand grip perceptibly &c
htened. Holy Moses. what ingrati. !
lel Why, the camp ought to get to Co
her and give We vote OF thanks, ~ ~
] instead, here they are trying their ca
el best to hang you. Cussedest tar
ter thing a mob is. anyhow: goes 7
3 a flock o. sheep after a leader, ne
bet could name the fellers who am
a-runnin' that crowd. How did ,
thing happen?" RI RI
10th men we're intently observing apl
ingathering of their scattered pur. .,
rs, but Hampton answered gravely, C..
ing his brief story with careful de-
4, approaching the Importance OF q
osing full confidence In this quiet, -