Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-03-15

on his friends to rescue him ne is to
be shot"
The hall was filling with swearing,
struggling men, the floor shook be-
meath their heavy tread; then they
burst into the court room and saluted
Murrell with a great shout. Eut Muir
rell, bound, in rags, and silent, his lips
frozen in a wolfish grin. was de-
pressing sight, and the boldest felt
something of his unrestrained lawless-
ness go from him.
Less noisy now, the crowd spread
itself out among the benches or
swarmed into the tiny gallery at the
back of the building. Man after man
had hurried forward, intent on pass
ing beyond the railing, but each had
encountered the judge, formidable and
forbidding, and had turned aside.
Gradually the many pairs of eyes row.
ing over the little group surrounding
the outlaw focused themselves on
Slocum Price. 1t was in unconscious
recognition Of that moral force which
was his, q tribute to the grim dignity
of his unshaken courage; what he
would do seemed worth considering.
He was charmed to hear his name
pass in a whisper from lip to lip.
Well, it was time they knew him! He
squared his ponderous shoulders and
made a gesture commanding silence.
Battered, shabby and debauched, he
was like some old war horse who shifts
the odor of battle that the wind in
continently brings to his nostrils.
Don't let him speak," cried a voice,
and a tumult succeeded.
Cold and indomitable the judge
waited for it to subside. He saw that
the color was stealing back into Muir
relrs face. The outlaw was feeling
that he was a leader not overthrown,
these were his friends and followers,
his safety was their safety too. In
lull in the storm of sound the judge
attempted to make himself heard, but
his words were lost in the angry roar
that descended on him.
Don't let him speak! XIII him!
Kill him!"
A score of men sprang to their feet
and from all sides came the click OF
rifle and pistol hammers as they were
drawn to a full cock. The judges fate
seemed to rest on breath. He swung
about on his heel and gave q curt nod
to Yancy and Cavendish, who, falling
back a step, tossed their guns to their
shoulders and covered Murrell. A sud-
den hush grew up out Of the tumult;
the cries, angry and jeering, dwindled
to a murmur, and a dead pail of ST.
lence rested on the crowded room.
The very taste of triumph was in
the Judges mouth. Then came COM
motion at the back Of the building,
whispered ripple of comment, and Col
onel Fentress elbowed his way through
the crowd. At sight of his enemy the
judges face went from white to red.
while his eyes blaZed; but for the mo-
ment the force of his emotions left
him speechless. Here and there. as
he advanced. Fentress recognized d
friend, and bowed coolly to the right
and left.
What does this ridiculous mockery
mean?" he demanded harshly. Mr.
Sheriff, as a member of the bar, |
protest! Why don't you clear the
lbuilding?" He did not wait for Belts
to answer him, but continued. Where
is this man Hues?"
"Yonder, colonel, by the captain"
said Belts.
II have a warrant for his arrest.
You will take him into custody"
Watt" cried the judge. Il repre-
sent Mr. Hughes. l desire to see that
warrant"
| But Fentress ignored him. He ad-
dressed the crowded benches.
| Gentlemen, it is a serious matter
forcibly to seize a man without au-
thority from the courts and expose him
to the danger of mob violence-Mr.
Hues will learn this before we have
done with him"