The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-07-09

| tally ignoring these. Hampt7u rnror
himself reclSlessiy through the crowd.
Halfway down tho broad steps Buck
Mason faced him, in shirt sleeves. his
head uncovered. an ugly "45" In his
uplifted hand. Just an instant the
eyes OF the two mon met. neither
doubted the grim purpose OF the other.
You've got ter do it. Bob" an
nounced the marshall. shortly. dead
err alive"
Hampton never hesltated. I'm sor.
ry | met you. | 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 / 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 we're surging
toward the door. Hampton knew from
long experience what this meant;
these we're the quickly infamed 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'll be
one bell of a fight atore them lads
git ye There's q chance left--leg II
after ne"
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. MoifAt
CHANGED 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 viclously
at q yellow dog which venturcd to
snap at them as they swept past. Be-
hind arose a yolley 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
cd faces. but neither man glanced
back. They we're running for their
lives now. acins for a fair chance ia
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
70 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. ploughod
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 Il all meant They could per
ceiye the figures OF their pursuers
among the shadows OF the bushes be
low. but these were not yentur.ng out
into the open--the FIRST mad. needless
rush had evidently ended There were
some cool heads among the mob lead
crs. and Il was highly probable that
negotiations would be tried before
that crowd hurled Itself against two
desperate men. armed and entronch'
ed. Both fugitives realized this, and
lay there coOily watchful, their breath
growing more regular. their eyes soft
ening
Whit Is all this fuss about, any.
how" questioned the marshall. evi.
IDENTIFY somewhat aggrieyed. Il vus
Just eatin dinner when a Teller stuck
his head in an yelled ye'd killed
somebody over at the Occidental
Hampton turned his face gravely
toward bin. Buck, | don't know
whether you'll believe me or not, nui
| guess you never heard me tell lie,
or knew Of my trying to dodge out OF
a bad scrape Besides. ! haven't s1y'
thing 70 gain now, for reckon yours
planning to stay with me. guilty OF
not guilty, but | did not kill that fel
low. don't exactly see how CAP
prove Il. the way il all happened. but
| give you my word as a man. | did
not kill him"
Mason looked him squarely In the
eyes, his teeth showing behind hii
stiff, closely clipped mustache. Ihet
he deliberately extended his hand. and
gripped Hampton's. "of course | be
lieve ye. Not that you're any toe
blame good. Bob. but you Amt the
kind what pleads the baby act. Whs
was the feller?"
RED Siavin."
"No!" and the hand grip perceptibiJ
frightened. Holy Moses. what ingratf
tude! Why. the camp ought to get tn
gether and give we vote Of thanks.
and instead. here they are tying thes
level best to hang you. Cusseden
sorter thing a mob is. anyhow; goes
like a flock o. sheep after leader
an bet could name the fellers whs
are a-runnin that crowd. How die
the thing happen"
Both men were intently observing
the ingatheriDg Of their scattered pur-
suers, but Hampton answered gravely,
telling his brief story with careful de
tail. approaching the Importance Of
reposing full confidence In this quiet
resourceful companion.