The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1912-05-22

found its way into the place, making
a thin rift in the darkness. The
Judge sat down on the three-legged
stool, which, with a shake-down bed.
furnished the jail.
Where was Solomon Mahaffy, and
where Hannibal? He felt that Ma.
haffy could fend for himself, but he
experienced moment of genuine
concern when he thought OF the child.
Then-there was a scarcely audi
BILE rustic on the margin of the woods,
a dry branch snapped loudly. Next
stealthy step sounded in the clear
ing. The Judge had an agonized
vision of regulators and lynchers.
The cautious steps continued to ap
proach. A whisper stole into the
jail.
Are you awake, Price?" 1t was Ma
haffy who spoke.
God bless you, Solomon MahaffyI"
cried the Judge unsteadily.
I've got the boy-he's with me-"
said Mahaffy.
God bless you BOTH" repeated the
Judge brokenly. Take care OF him,
Solomon. | feel better now, knowing
he's in good hands"
please. judge" it was Hannibal
yes, dear lad?"
I'm mighty sorry that ten dollars
l loaned you was bad-but you don't
need ever to pay 1t back! It were
Captain Murrell gave it to me-"
Il consecrate myself to his destruc
ton! Judge Slocum Price cannot be
Inundated with impunity!"
Il should think you would save
your wind. Price. until you'd wad
died out of danger!" Mahaffy spoke
gruffly.
How are you going to get me out
OF this, Solomon-for l suppose you
are here to break jail for me-" said
the Judge.
well, Price, l guess all we can do
is to go back to town and see If ]
can get into my cabin-Ive got an
old saw there. II l can find it, l can
come again tomorrow night and cut
away one of the logs, or the cleats OF
the door,"
in heavens name. do that tonight,
Solomon" implored the judge. why
procrastinate?"
Price, there's a pack of dogs in
this neighborhood. and we must have
a full night to move in, or they'll pull
US down before we've gone ten
miles!"
You're right, Solomon; I'd forgot
ten the dogs
Mahaffy closed and fastened the
shutters, then he and Hannibal stole
across the clearing and entered the
woods. The judge went to bed. He
was aroused by the arrival of his
breakfast, which the sheriff brought
about eight o'clock.
We'll, if | was in your boots l
couldn't sleep like you'll" remarked
that official admiringly. But l reckon,
sir, this amt the first time the peni-
Tertiary has stared you in the face"
1t was nearing the noon hour when
the judges solitude was again in.
vaded. He first heard the distant muir
muir of voices on the road and passed
an uneasy and restless ten minutes.
with his eye to a crack in the door.
He was soothed and treasured, how.
ever, when at last he caught sight OF
the sheriff.
well, judge, / got company for
you" cried the sheriff cheerfully, as
he threw open the door. "A boss
thief"
He pushed into the building man,
hatless and coatless, with a pair OF
pale villainous eyes and a tobacco
stained chin. The judge viewed the
newcomer with disfavor. AS for the
horse-thief, he gave his companion in
misery a coldly critical stare. seated
himself on the stool, and with quite
a fierce air devoted all his energy to
mastication. He neither altered his
position nor changed his expression
until he and the judge were alone.
then, catching the judges eye. he
made what seemed casual move
ment with his hand, the three fingers
raised; but to the Judge this clearly
was without significance, and the
horse-thief manifested no further In
terest where he was concerned. He
did not even condescend to answer
the one or two civil remarks the
Judge addressed to him.
AS the long afternoon more itself
away, the judge lived through the
many stages of doubt and uncertain