The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-07-23

With the magical pressure OF her
lips upon his. he swung into the sad.
die and spurred down the road. II
was a principle of his military train
ing never to temporize with a mob
he would strike hard. but no must
have sufficient force behind him. He
refined up before the seemingly desert.
ed camp. his horse flung back upon ita
launches. white foam feoking Its
quivering tanks.
Sergeant" The sharp snap of hts
voice brought that officer forward on
the run. where are the mem"
"Playin' ball. most OF 'em. sir. Just
beyond he 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 miner"
mo. sir"
Halfway up the hill back OF the
hotel. You'll find me somewhere in
front OF It. This is matter OF life or
death. so Jump lively now.l"
He drove in his spurs, and was on
like the wind. A number ~ men were
In the street. all hurryins forward In
the same direction. but he Dashed past
them. These were miners mostly.
eager to have a hand in the r1an.hunt.
Here and there a rider skurries along
and Joined In the chase. Just beyond
the hotel. halfway up tho hill. rifles
were speaking irregularly. the white
puffs of smoke blown quickly away by
the stiff breeze. Near the center OF
this line OF sklrmishers a 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
ut spirit for peace making.
You damn fool" roared one,
hoarsely. his gun poised as n 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 uniform7
Strike that. my man. and you strike
the United States. Who is leading
this outfit?"
Il don't know as It's your afalr."
the man returned. suiieniy. We Amt
takin' no army orders at present, mis-.
ter, We're free-born American ciu-
zens. an ye better let us alone"
THAT is not what asked you" and
Brant squared his shoulders. his
hands cllnched. My question was.
Who is az 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. ye 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 II we've
got anythin' ter say. mister officer
man, reckon ye better spit II out
yere ter me. an sorier relieve yer
mind"
who are your"
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 cant do ye no hurt"
The mans look became logged.
I'm Ben Cotton. il it'll do ye any good
TO know"
Il thought I had seen you some
where before" said Brant. contemptu
ously. and then swept his glance
about the circle. "A nice leader Of
vlgilantes you are. a fine representa-
tive Of law and order. a lovely speci.
men OF the free born American
citizenl Men. do you happen TO
know what sort OF o 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
frOuted the man, DIS fOlCt Ilubln6 Inv
steel. '1've seen mobs before to-day.
and I've dealt with them. I'm not
afraid OF you OF your whole outiit
and I've got fighting men to back me-
up. never yet saw any mob which
wasn't led and melted b. some COW
ardly, revengeful rascal Honest men
get mixed up in such affairs, but they
are invariably infiamed ny some low
down sneak with an AZ to grind.
confess don't know all about this
Cotton, but | know enough TO say hs
Is an army deserter, liar, dive
keeper, gambler. and. TO my certain
knowledge, the direct cause OF the
death of three men. one soldier OF
my troop. Now isn't he sweet speci-
men 10 lead In the ayenging Of a sup
posed crime?"
Whatever else Cotton might have
failed in, he was n man OF action. Like
a flash his gun few TO the level, but
was instantly knocked aside by the
grlzzled old miner standing next him.
None o. that. Ben" he growled.
warningly. Il don't never pay to