Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-03-11


lips upon his, he swung into the sad
die and spurred down the road It
was principle of his military train.
ing never to temporize with a mob
he would strike hard, but he must
have sufficient force behind him. He
refined up before the seemingly desert.
ed camp, his horse flung back upon its
launches, white foam flecking its
quivering tanks.
Sergeant" The sharp snap of his
voice brought that officer forward on
the run. Where are the men,"
"Playin' ball, most Of 'em, sir, just
beyond the ridge"
Are the horses out in the herd?"
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. 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
7 the same direction, but he dashed past
them. These were miners mostly,
| eager to have hand in the man-hunt.
Here and there 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 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
fit 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"
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"
81 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 asked you," and
Brant squared his shoulders, his
hands clinched. my question was,
Who is at the head of this outfit? and
1 want an answer"
The spokesman looked around upon
the others near him with grin of de-
rision. ooh, We do, hey? Well, 1 reck-
on we are, if you must know. Since
Big Jim Larson got it in the shoulder
this outfit right yere hes bin dom
most of the brain work. So if we've
got anythin' ter say, mister officer
man, I reckon We better spit it out
yere ter me, an sorter relieve yer
mind"
who are you?"
The fellow expectorated 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
blame odds? He can't do We no hurt.
The mans look became logged
I'm Ben Cotton, if it'll do ye any good
to know"
ST thought 1 had seen you some
where before" said Brant, contemptu
ously, and then swept his glance
about the circle. "a nice leader OF
vigilantes you are, a fine representa-
tive of law and order, lovely speci
men of the free born American
citizen! Men, do you happen tc
know what sort of cur you are fol
lowing in this AFFAIR.""
"Oh, Bens all right"
What We got against him, young
feller?"
Just this" and Brant squarely
fronted the man, his voice ringing like
steel. 1--WE seen mobs before to-day
and I've dealt with them. I'm not
afraid of you or your whole outfit
, and I've got fighting men to back me
) up. l never yet saw any mob which
t wasn't led and melted by some cow
| ardly, revengeful rascal. Honest me1
get mixed up in such affairs, but they
, are invariably infamed by some low
down sneak with an ak to grind.
confess l don't know all about thi:
Cotton, but 1 know enough to say he
is an army deserter, liar, dive
keeper, a gambler, and, to my certain
= knowledge, the direct cause OF the
, death of three men, one soldier O
> my troop. Now isn't he sweet speci
!, men to lead in the avenging Of sup
posed crime?"
. Whatever else Cotton might have
failed in, he was man of action. Liz
). a flash his gun few to the level, blu