The Jasper weekly courier., 1908-02-21


de and spurred down the road II
was a principle Of his military train
Ing never 10 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 Aecking It's
quivering hanks
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. Youll find me somewhere in
front Of il. This is a matter Of life or
death, so jump lively now"
He drove in his spurs. and was OF
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 10 have a 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 70 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
fl 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 q"
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 ye 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
want an answer
The spokesman looked around upon
the others near him with a grin Of de-
rision. -Oh, We do. hey? Well. reck-
on we are. II you must know. Since
Big Jim Larson got IL in the shoulder
this outfit right yere hes bin doin'
most OF the brain work. So If ye've
got anythin' ter say. mister officer
man, reckon ye better spit il out
yere ter me. an sorter relieve yer
mind
Who are you2'
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"
Il thought | 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 a lovely speci-
men OF the free born American
citizen, Men, do you happen to
know what sort of cur you are fol-
lowing in this AFFAIR.""
"Oh, Ben's all right"
What ye got against him. young
feller?"
Just this" and Brant squarely
fronted the man. his voice ringing like
steel I've 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. / never yet saw any mob which
wasn't led and melted by some cow
ardly. revengeful rascal. Honest men
get mixed up in such affairs. but they
are invariably infamed by some low
down sneak with an AK to grind. |
confess don't know all about this
Cotton, but l know enough to say he
is an army deserter. liar. a dive
keeper. a gambler, and, TO my certain
knowledge. the direct cause of the
death OF three men. one a soldier OF
my troop Now isn't he a sweet speci-
men to lead in the avenging Of a sup
posed cFime?"
Whatever else Cotton might have
failed In. he was a man of action. Like
fash his gun few TO the level, but
was instantly knocked aside by the
grizzled old miner standing next him.
L.. Id