The Holly chieftain., 1909-05-07

nat KIM OF nour Ii that!" he
spluttered.
'Dat's just plain w'sat -four"
Not on your life." said the miner.
with the 6rmness Of great conviction.
IT'S full OF yeast powders. Why. it's
r'arin' and risin' like buckin' hoss.
I'm plumb seasick'' He laid zigzag
course for the door.
Were you g0in'!'' asked P0ieun.
I'm goin' to get somethin' for this
stomach trouble. It's fierce" He de-
scended into the darkness boldly and
stepped or with confidence this time
too sOon PoleOn heard him founder.
ing about. his indignant yoire raised
irascibly. albeit with a note of trI-
umph.
"Wha'd tell you? You put that
step back while WAS ashleep" Then.
whistling blithely. II some what out of
tune, he steered for the new saloon to
get something for his stomach trou.
ble''
At Stark's he found large crowd
OF the new men, who welcomed him
heartily. plying him VIII countless
questions and barking to his mnndlin
tales OF this new country which to him
WAS old. He had followed the muddy
river from Crarer lake to the delta.
searching the bars and creek beds In
tfreless quest till he knew each stream
and tributary. and. like Gale. he had
lived these many years ahead OF the
law. where each man was his own
court OF appeals and where crime was
unknown.
oh, there's lots Of countries w0rse'n
this" he declared I'VE may not be
very handsome to the naked eye. and
We may not wear our handk' chiefs in
our shirt cuffs. but there amt no Wild
ders and orphans doin' our washiu..
and man can walk away from his
house. stay month and And 1t there
when he comes hack"
Those days are past" said Stark.
There's too many new people coming
in Tor all to be honest"
They'd better be.' said Lee ar
gressively. I'VE amt got no room for
stealers. Why. had a hand In maxim
the bylaws Of this camp myself, long
with John Gale. and they stip'lntes
that any person caught robbin' cache
II to he publicly whipped In front Of
the tradin' post; then. II It's winter
time. he's to be turned loose on the lee
bGrefooted. or. II It's summer. he's to
be set adrift on log with bis shirt
on"
Either would mean certain DEATH"
said stranger-''fros In winter. mos.
quitoes in summer
That's all right" another bystander
declared. "A mans life depends on
his grub up here. and I'd be in favor Of
enforcing that punishment to the let
ter"
"Aii the same. take no chances"
said stark. There's too many stran-
gers here. Just to show you how
stand. I've put Runnion on guard over
my pile of stun. and I'll be glad when
its under cover. 1t isn't the severity
Of punishment that keeps . man from
goinx wrong; IT'S the certainty OF II"
Well. bed sure get It. and get 1t
proper. In this camp" declared Lee.
and at that moment. as II his words
had been challenge. the haps of the
great tent were thrust aside. and Run.
nton half led. half threw man into
the open space before the bar.
"I.ers have look at you" he pant.
ed We'll. jf It amt . niggerr'
whats upT' cried the men crowd
ing about the prisoner who crouched.
terror stricken. ip the trampled mud
and moss. while those playing sopIette
and bank" left the tables. followed
by the dealers.
He's thief" said Runnion. mop
ping the sweat from bis brow. Il
caught him after your grub pile. Stark.
He dropped q crate Of hams when I
came upon him and tried to run. but I
dropped him." A frickie Of blood
from the negro's head showed how he
had been felled.
"Why didn't you shOotT growied
Stark angriIy, at which the negro halt
arose and broke into excited deniais
of his guilt. Runnion kicked him saw
ageiy. while th3 crowd murmured ap-
provaI.
lie me see him." said Les, elbow
inS his way through the others. FIJI
ing his one eye upon the wretch. b
spoke impressiveiy.
You're the first downright thief
ever seen. Was you hungryT
mo; he's got plenty" answered one
Of the tsnderfeet He's got bigger
outfit than have"
'"Then reckon it's divine manifes-
tation." said mo Greek" Lee tearfully.
This black party u so!n' to furnish