The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1910-10-06

PiI"l2d 10y the member VII" tad met
k!rby. the small ilnpromptu posse
quickly made its way through the un-
derbruSh. emerging on The read which
the gambler. ut point below the FORK,
was even then traverSlng. When the
fork al the road was reached Tom and
two companions chose the right or
southerly branch, while the man who
had met Kirby, accompanied by half
grown youth. bore away to the left.
Thus by another Intervention Of the
fates young Randalrs meeting with
the gambler was again postponed. The
former and his companions. alarming
the countryside Ell route, reached
town without overtaking or even sight
ipe their quarry.
Meanwhile the other members Of the
posse had Jared better-or worse.
They had not long left their compan-
ions before Kirby was sighted. walk
Ing leisurely with bowed head and evi-
dently preoccupied mind. Warned by
the rapidly advancing steps of his self
constituted judges and executioners.
he turned in mild curiosity and await
ed their approach.
The farmer and bis sOn-for such
was the relationship existing between
this contingent Of the pursuers-came
up hot and painting from their e1er-
tions and, meeting Kirby's cool and
pleasantly inquiring eyes. became for
the moment nonplused and confused.
Rather a warmish morning for such
strenuous exercise. gentlemen" greet
ed the gambler. 'It is obvious that
your business is with me. Pray In
what manner can l serve your
The youths loutish bearing became
the more evident in contradistinction
to that Of the elegant and courteous
gambler. and. with hanging lip, he
fell back, overawed by the silent but
compelling mastery Of caste.
His parent, however-a stringy.
drawing, malarial gentleman-was
cast in a more determined and heroic
mold. "Yuh all be the gambler they
call Cameo Kirby" he exclaimed,
pointing a threatening finger. I'VE
seen yuh all come from the duelin
oaks, an we all have just come from
there. Yuh all have killed an unarmed
man. an we all are goin' to have yuh
all up for murder"
"My dear SIR" replied Kirby, ar
ranging his cravat, you alrs inten-
tons speak we'll for you all's respect
for justice. but assure you all there
is some mistake. The gentleman ! had
the good fortune to kill entirely merit
ed/his end. Moreover, he was not un-
armed. but made, an earnest and sim
cere effort to settle me all. In short,
ours was fair and mountaineering,
and as such matters are not prohibited
by the statutes really fail to see how
1t concerns you all-comes within the
scope OF you all's worthy usefulness"
'Them big words and maxim fun Of
my langwidge don't change the case,"
said the farmer grimly. Il seen yuh
all's victim with my two eyes. an so
did my boy and lot others. He didn't
have nc weapon Of any kind. an that
We kin prove. Lynchin' is too good for
You, Mr.. Kirby. an yuh all know it."
= 'sThe devil it is" replied Kirby.
'You are the victim of mistake, Mr..
Farmer. and I'm evidently the victim
Of an enemy who has concealed my
late opponents weapon. ! will not per-
NIT your ignorance to swing me from
the end of a rope"
TON. run for help. I'll hold this fel-
low, cried the farmer. And as the boy
ran Sof the malarial gentleman flung
his why arms about Kirby.
A fierce and protracted struggle en-
sued, Kirby realizing that he was not
only fighting for liberty. but life. In
those days lynch law was only too
common, and he knew what to expect
at the hands Of an infuriated. ignorant
pnd unreasoning mob. And in the pres
ent instance all explanation would
prove futile. for mob rule is not infu.
enced by Judgment. and he was al
ready a dog with a bad name. They
would hang him first and inquire into
the merits of the case afterward. II
possible prompt and ignominious fight
was his Only salvation.
True 70 his class. kirby's opponent
possessed some knowledge Of wres-
tling, but was totally ignorant OF even
the rudiments Of pugilism, and the
Younger man confined his efforts to
frustrating tripping attacks while at
the same time striving to free his PIN
ioned right arm. This at length he sue
ceeded in doing. \ vicious wrench.
clever feiEt. Il smashing uppercut. and
the malarial gentleman went down on
his back. while Kirby, waving an airy
adieu to ;hc now advancing army of
yeI,in" pursu"rS. took nimbiy TO his
heels
Ert. lee; and long winded runner
M TINS