Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-05


messenger sent hurrying to the post for
the book in which was recorded the laws
of the men who had made the camp.
The crowd was determined that this
should be done legally and as prescribed
by ancient custom up and down the
river. So, to make itself doubly sure 1t
gave Runnion's evidence a hearing; then,
taking lanterns, went down to the big
tarpaulin-covered pile beside the river,
where it found the crate Of hams and the
negro's tracks. There was no defense for
the culprit and he offered none, being too
scared by now to do more than plead.
The proceedings were simple and quiet
and grim, and were wellnigh over when
Lieutenant Burrell walked into the tent
saloon. He had been in his quarters all
day, fighting q fight with himself, and
in the late evening, rebelling against his
cramped conditions and the war with his
conscience, he had sailed out, and,
drawn by the crowd in Stark's place, had
entered. .....
A man replied to his whispered ques-
ton, giving him the story, for the meet
ing was under Lees domination, and the
miners maintained an orderly and bust
ness-like procedure. The chairman's in
digestion had vanished with his sudden
assumption of responsibility. and he
showed no trace of drink in his bearing.
Beneath a lamp one was binding four
foot lengths Of cotton tent-rope to a
broomstick for a knout, while others,
whom Lee had appointed, were drawing
lots to see upon whom would devolve the
unpleasant duty of fiogging the captive.
The matter-of-fact, relentless ex-
petition Of the affair shocked Burrell in
expressibly, and seeing Poleon and Gale
near by, he edged towards them, think
ing that they surely could not be in sym
pathy with this barbarous procedure.
you don't understand, lieutenant" said
Gale, in a low voice. This niger is
thief!'
"You can't kill a man for stealing few
hams"
"It amt so much what he stole; it's
the idea, and it's the custom of the coun-
try"
whipping is enough, without tho
other"
IBIS stealth she's bad biznesse," de-
clared Poleon. "Mebbe dose ham is save
some poor feller's life."
cit mob law" said the lieutenant, in
dignantly, land 1 won't stand for it,
Gale turned a look of curiosity upon
the officer. How are you going to help
yourself?" said he; but the young man
did not wait to reply. Quickly he elbowed
his way towards the center Of the scene
with the air of authority and determine
ton before which a crowd melts and men
stand aside. Gale whispered to his COM
panion:
Keep your eye open, lad. There's go
ing to be trouble" They stood on tiptoe,
and watched eagerly.
Gentlemen" announced Burrell, stand
ing near the ashen-gray wretch, and fac
ing the tentful of men, this man is a
thief, but you can't kill him!"
Stark leaned across the bar, his eyes
blazing, and touched the lieutenant on the
shoulder.
do you mean to take a hand in all OF
my affairs7"
This isn't your affair; It's mine, said
the officer. This is what was sent here
for, and it's my particular business. You
seem to have overlooked that important
fact"
"He stole my stuff. and he'll take his
medicine"
1T say he won't!'
For the second time in their brief ac-
quaintance these two men looked fair in
to each others eyes. Few men had dared
to look at Stark thus and live; for when
man has once shed the blood Of his
fellow a mania obsesses him, disease
obtains that is incurable. There is an
excitation Of every sense when hunter
stands up before big game; it causes
thrill and f1utter of undiscovered nerves.
which nothing else can conjure up, and
which once lived leaves an incessant hun
ger. But the biggest game of all is man.
and the fiercest sensation is hate. Stark
had been a killer, and his brain had been
scared with the flame till the scar was
ineradicable. He had lived those lurid Sec
onds when man CANDLES his life against
his enemy's, and, having felt the great
sensation, it could never die; yet with 1t
all he was cautious man, given more TO
brooding on his injuries and building up
a quarrel than to reckless paroXysms of
passion, and experience had taught him
the value of a well-handled temper as
we'll as the wisdom of knowing when to
use it and put it in action. He knew
intuitively that his hour with Burrell had
not yet come. .... ...
/ The two men battled with their eyes
for an opening. Lee and the others mas
tered their surprise at the interruption.
and then began to babble until Burrell
turned from the gambler and threw UP
his arm for silence '
There's no use arguing he told the
mob. You can't do il. TIT hold him till
the next boat comes. then I'll send him
down-river to st. MichaePs."
He laid his hand upon the negro and
made for the door. with face set and eyes
watchful and alert. knowing that a hairs
weight might shift the balance and cause
these men to rive him like wolves.
Lees indignation at this miscarriage
of justice had him so by the throat as