The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-06-03

Dill y we Gdu L COuuJ Du
"Listen!" exclaimed Mrs Mead
ows, raising a bony hand.
From up the road came the sound
Of galloping hoofs, splashing through
the March mud. Meadows bent for
ward and listened intently.
Two horses he said, in a low
voice. "And they're mighty nigh
tagged out"
The gallop decreased to a trot; to
walk; then, silence Meadows
limped to the door, opened it an incn,
and peered around its edge. The
sound of muttering voices futtered
in. He stretched one long arm be-
hind him, and snapped thumb and
forefnger softly. His wife snatched
the long rifle from its pegs, struck
it sharply to drive the powder into
the nipple. and thrust it into the
clutching hand.
Sounds like Bill Hawkins voice."
Meadows muttered.
The woman turned pale.
"Hullo, the house," a voice hailed
"Dick Thorne, sheriff of Shell
county, with prisoner. I want your
horses, quick!"
Meadows threw the door wide open.
Come inside, Dick and bring
your prisoner AS to the bosses,
don't know as you've jurisdiction in
this county"
He returned to the fireplace, car
rying the rife easily across his left
arm, and faced the two men who en-
tered hurriedly, their boots reeking
with the Shiny, black mud of the for
est roads. One of the two was slen-
der, 1.-THE Of movement, and quick or
eye. The other, burly and sullen-
faced, carried his right arm in
sling, and glared at the three occu-
pants of the cabin from under lower
ing brows. At sight of him the girl
sprang forward, her face afiame.
''You keep still, Lizzie!" COM
manded Meadows. "Tll do all the
talkin' that's necessary. Now, Dick.
what's up?"
"Hear about the row at Hillsdale?"
asked the slender man rapidly
Meadows nodded. well, the citizens
organized a lynchin' party for the
benefit of Bill. here. Said he'd never
get justice any other way-and |
reckon he won't. But I'm the sher-
iff-bound to maintain law and order.
I slipped Hawkins away, amin to
run him over to the Jaynesburg JAIL
where he'll be safe. Lynchin party
caught on, and they're only about
twenty minutes behind us. Our
horses are played out You've got
two fresh ones. I demand them in
the name of the law Refuse. and
I'll take 'em anyhow"
Meadows smiled grimly.
"My horses happen to be down in
the woods pasture, Mr.. Sheriff-where
I can catch them in minute, and
you can't in an hour. I never thought
a Hawkins would ask help from a
Meadows!"
Its HIM that's askin'," growled
the prisoner. I'D hang rust."
The sinewy hand of Meadows
passed caressingly over the lock of
the rifle.
bill Hawkins" he said, 'for two
generations your people and mine
have been KILN one another off. My
folks has always fought fair. Last
fall your gang surprised us when we
wasn't fixed, and cleaned us up.
Then you hid in the bush, like the
sneak that you are, and give me this
leg. Now I can save you or hang
you. Which would you do, Bill Haw-
kins?"
I'D see you hang, jim Meadows -
snarled Hawkins; land I'd help yank
the rope!"
Meadows teeth clicked together,
his hard face darkened; his thumb
hooked over the rife, and his fore
finger stole within the trigger-guard
The woman laid a trembling hand
upon his arm.
"Jim," she whispered, "this is the
test--the test Lowry told you was
sure to come. Don't let it down YOU,
jim! Do what's right. Be mani"
Don't waste any more breath on
him, Thorne," sneered Hawkins.
"Fasten the doors and give me one
Of your guns. can drop two or
three of that mob before the things
over with. Might as we'll swing for
an old sheep as a lamb"
you ornery hound" Thorne cried
81 only wish wasn't sheriff. for just
abOut two minutes Come Meadows.