Western Kansas world., 1908-02-01

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 it, Bob. an
nounced the marshall, shortly, dead
er alive
Hampton never hesitated. I'm sor-
ry l met you 1 don't want to get
anybody else mixed up in this fuss.
II you'll promise me a chance for my
life, Buck, I'll throw up my hands.
But l prefer a bullet to a mob.''
The little marshal was sandy-haired,
freckle-faced, and all nerve. The
crowd jammed within the Occidental
had already turned and were surging
toward the door, Hampton knew from
long experience what this meant;
these were the quickly infiamed 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 there'n be
one hell of 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 Moffat
chanced to be in the passageway, and
pauslng 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 yellow dog which ventured to
snap at them as they swept past. Be-
hind arose volley of curses, the thuc
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
the two men raced side by
side down the steep slope, ploughed
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 it all meant. They could per-
ceive the figures of their pursuers
among the shadows of the bushes be- |
low, but these were not ventur;ng out |
ho fh<
rush had evidently ended. There were |
some cool heads among the mob lead
ers, and it was 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 |
ay there coolly watchful, their breath |
growing more regular, their eyes soft
ening.
"Whut is all this fuss about any
1ow?" questioned the marshall, evi-
lently somewhat aggrieved. 81 wus
ust eatin' dinner when a feller stuck
lis head in an yelled ye'd killed
somebody over at the Occidental
Hampton turned his face gravely
oward him. Buck, I don't know
whether you'll believe me or not, but
guess you never heard me tell a lie,
II knew of my trying to dodge out of
bad scrape. Besides, / haven't any
hing to gain now for 1 reckon you're
,lanning to stay with me, guilty or
lot guilty, but 1 did not kill that fell
ow. / don't exactly see how 1 can
rove it, the way it all happened, but
give you my word as a man, / did
.ot kill him.
Mason looked him square1y in the
yes, his teeth showing behind his
tiff, closely clipped mustache. Then
e deliberately extended his hand, and
ripped Hamptons. "Of course 1 be-
eve We. Not that you're any too
lame good, Bob, but you amt the
ind what pleads the baby act Who
yas the feller?"
Red Slavin."
mol" and the hand grip perceptibiy
ghtened. Holy Moses, what ingrati-
1de. Why, the camp ought to get to-
ether and give ye a vote of thanks, |
nd instead, here they are trying their
svel best to hang you. Cussedest |
orter thing a mob is, anyhow; goes
ke a flock O. sheep after a leader |
n 1 bet could name the fellers who
re a-runnin' that crowd. How did
ne thing happen?"
le ingathering of their scattered pur-
1ers, but Hampton answered gravely,
elling his brief story with careful de-
lii, appreciating the Importance of
eposing full confidence in this quiet,