The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-04-16

| legal resource, and now were going 10
stamp out this gang Of robbers in our
own way. We will get together in an
hour. divide into three groups of twen-
| ty men. each with leader then go to
the houses of Mcnamara. Stillman aud
Voorhees,. take them prisoners, and
He waved his hand in a large gesture.
Glenister made no answer for mo-
ment, white the crowd watched him III
tently.
You have discussed this fully?' he
asked
I'VE have. 1t has been voted on. and
we're unanimous"
My friends when | stepped into this
room just now | felt that ! wasn't
wanted. Why. don't know. because
| have had more to do with organizing
| this movement than any Of you and
because ] have suffered just as much
as the rest. | want TO know il | was
| omitted from this meeting intention
ally"
''i'hiS Is an embarrassing position to
put me in" said the chairman gravely.
"but l shall answer as spokesman for
these men If they wish.'
Yes: go ahead" said those around
the room.
I'VE don't question your loyalty. Mr..
Glenister. but we didn't ask you to
this meeting because we know your at
thude-perhaps Id better say senti-
ment - regarding Judge Stillman's
niece-er-family. 1t has come TO us
from various sources that you have
been affected to the prejudice OF your
own and your partners Interest. Now,
there isn't going 10 be any sentiment
In the affairs Of the viglantes. We are
going to do justice. and we thought the
simplest way was to ignore you in this
matter and spare all discussion and
hard feeling IN every quarter"
"It's a lie." shouted the young man
hoarsely, "a damned lie! You wouldn't
let me in for fear Id kick. eh? Well.
you were right. will kick. You've
hinted about my feelings for Miss
Chester. Let me tell you that she is
engaged 10 marry Mcnamara and that
she's nothing to me. Now, then, let
me tell you further that YOU won't
break into her house and hang her un-
Gle. even IL he is a reprobate. No, sir!
This isn't the time for violence OF that
sort. Wen win without it. II we
can't. let's fight ike men and not hunt
in a pack like wolves. II you want to
do something, put us back on our
mines and help US hold them, but, for
Gods sake, don't descend to assassina-
ton and the tactics Of the Mafa!"
I'VE knew you would make that kind
OF a talk" said the speaker, while the
rest murmured gludgingly. One OF
them spoke up.
We've talked this over in cold blood,
Glenister. and it's question Of their
lives or our liberty. The law don't
enter into It."
That's right echoed another at his
elbow. I'VE can't seize the claims,
because McNamara's got soldiers to
back him up They'd shoot us down.
You ought to be the last one to object
He saw that dispute was futile. De-
termination was stamped on their
faces too plain for mistake, and his
argument had no more effect on them
than had the pale rays Of the lantern
beside him, yet he continued:
81 don't deny that Mcnamara de-
serves lynching, but Stillman doesn't.
He's weak old man"-some one
laughed derisively-"and there's
woman in the house. He's all she has
In the world to depend upon. and you
would have to kill her to get at him.
II you must follow this course, take
the others, but leave him alone"
They only shook their heads, while
several pushed by him even as he
spoke We're going to distribute our
favors equal" said man as he left.
They were actuated by what they
called justice. and he could not sway
them. The life and welfare OF the
north were in their hands. as they
thought, and there was not one to hesi-
tate. Glenister implored the chairman,
but the man answered him:
"It's too late for further discussion,
and let me remind you Of your prom
Ise. You're bound by every obligation
that exists for an honorable man
"Oh, don't think that I'll give the
snap away said the other; but
warn you again not to enter stillman's
house"
He followed out into the night TO
dnd that Dextry had disappeared, evil
dently wishing to avoid argument
Roy had seen signs Of unrest beneath
the prospectors restraint during the
past few days, and indications OF a
fierce hunger to vent his spleen on the
men who had robbed him OF his most
sacred rights. He was Of an intolerant,
vindictiye nature that would 90 to any
length for vengeance. Retribution was
part Of his creed.
On bis way home the young man
looked at his watch 20 find that he had
but an bour to determine his course.
Instinct prompted him to join bis
friends and to even the score with the