The Yale expositor., 1908-02-14

WIN the magical pressure OF her
lips upon his, he swung into the sad.
| die and spurred down the road. II
was a principle of his military train.
ing never TO temporize with a mob
he would strike hard, but he must
nave sufficient force behind him. He
reined up before the seemingly desert.
ed camp, his horse flung back upon its
launches, white foam hecking its
| quivering tanks.
Sergeant" The sharp snap OF his
voice brought that officer forward on
the run. Where are the mem"
'Playin' ball. most of EN-. sir. lust
beyond the ridge"
Are the horses out in the herd?"
Yes, sir"
Sound the recall; arm and mount
every man. bring them into Glencajd
on the gallop. Do you know the old
Shasta mine?"
mo, sir"
Halfway up the hill back of the
hotel. You'll find me somewhere in
front of it. This is a matter OF life or
death, so jump lively now.!"
He drove in his spurs, and was off
like the wind. A number of men were
In the street, all hurrying forward in
the same direction, but he dashed past
them. These were miners mostly,
eager to have 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
puffs of smoke blown quickly away by
the stiff breeze. Near the center of
this 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
mt spirit for peace making.
You damn fool" roared one,
hoarsely, his gun poised as if in
threat, what do you mean by riding
us down like that? Do you own this
country"
Brant flung himself from the saddle
and strobe in front of the fellow. Il
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. I'VE amt |
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 l asked YOU" and
Brant squared his shoulders, his
hands clinched. my question was,
Who is at the head of this outfit? and
want an answer"
The spokesman looked around upon
the others near him with a grin of de-
rision. ooh, ye do. hey? Well, | reck-
on We are, if you must know. Since
Big Jim Larson got it in the shoulder
his outfit right yere hes bin doin'
most of the brain work. So If we've
got anythin' ter say, mister officer
man, l reckon ye better spit it out
we're ter me, an sorter relieve yer
mind"
Who are you?"
The fellow expectorated vigorously
nto the leaves under foot, and draw
ng one hairy hand across his lips,
iushed angrily to the unexpected in
Iuiry.
"oh, tell him, Ben. What's the
blame odds? He can't do We no hurt"
The mans look became logged.
I'm Ben Cotton, if it'll do We any good
o know"
Il thought | had seen you some
where before" said Brant contemptu-
usly, and then swept his glance
bout the circle. "A nice leader of
'igilantes you are, fine representa- {
i've of law and order lovely speci- {
len of the free born American {
itizen Men, do you happen to /
now what sort of a cur you are fol. {
owing in this AFFAIR."" I
"Oh, Ben's all right" I
What We got against him, young |
sller?" y
Just this" and Brant squarely
'onted the man, his voice ringing like (
teel. I've seen mobs before to-day,
nd I've dealt with them. I'm not
fraid of you or your whole outfit, 4
nd I've got fighting men to back me c
p. / never yet saw any mob which g
asn't led and melted by some cow g
rdly, revengeful rascal. Honest men r.
ct mixed up in such affairs, but they c
re invariably inflamed by some low e
own sneak with an ak to grind / n
)nfess / don't know all about this II
olton, but l know enough to say he q
an army deserter. a liar. a dive F
eeper, a gambler, and, to my certain Il
1owledge. the direct cause of the II
cath of three men, one a soldier of q
y troop. Now isn't he a sweet speci- II
en- to lead in the avenging OF sup Il
,sed crime?"
Whatever else Cotton might have pl
lied in. he was a man of action. Like to
flash his gun flew to the level, but W
as instantly knocked aside by the II
izzled old miner standing next him. rs