The Chanute times., 1912-12-13

beg you to remember that there will
be five men inside whose prejud.ces
are all in favor Of law and order"
He pushed past Hues and entered the
courthouse, followed by Yancy and
Hannibal. We'll let 'em in where 1
can talk to EN-" he said almost gaily.
Besides, they'll come in anyhow when
they get ready, SO there's no sense in
exciting them"
In the courthouse, Murrell, bound
hand and foot. was seated between
Darlington and the Earl of Lambeth
in the little railed-off space below the
judges bench. Fear and suffering had
blanched his unshaven cheeks and
given a wild light to his deeply sunk
en- eyes. At sight of Yancy smoth-
cred exclamation broke from his lips;
he had supposed this man dead these
many months!
Hues had abandoned his post, and
the crowd, suddenly grown clamorous,
stormed the narrow entrance. One OF
down with crash. The judge,
fierce light flashing from his eyes.
turned to Yancy.
mo matter what happens, this fel-
! low Murrell is not to escape-if he
calls on his friends to rescue him he
| 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 courtroom and saluted
Murrell with great shout. But Muir
rell, bound, in rags, and silent, his
lips frozen in wolfish grin, was a
depressing 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 up into the tiny gallery at
the back of the building. Man after
man had hurried forward, intent on
passing beyond the railing, but each
had encountered the judge, formida-
BILE and forbidding, and had turned
aside. Gradually the many pairs OF
eyes rowing over the little group sur
|
selves on Slocum Price. 1t was in I'M
conscious recognition of that moral
force which was his, tribute to the
grim dignity OF his unshaken courage;
what he would do seemed worth con-
sidering.
He was charmed to hear his name
pass in whisper from lip to lip.
Well, it was time they knew him! He
squared his ponderous shoulder and
made a gesture commanding silence.
Battered, shabby and debauched, he
was like some old war horse who
incontinently brings to his nostrils.
Don't let him speak," cried a
voice. and tumult succeeded.
Cool and indomitable the Judge
waited for 1t to subside. He saw that
the color was stealing back into Muir
rells face. The outlaw was feeling
that he was leader not overthrOwn;
these were his friends and followers,
his safety was their safety, too. In a
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, Kill himl
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 the full cock. The judges
fate seemed to rest on breath. He
swung about on MS heel and gave a
curt nod to Yancy and Cavendish,
who, falling back step, tossed their
guns to their shoulders and covered
Murrell. A sudden hush grew up out
of the tumult the cries, angry and
jeering, dwindled to murmur. and
dead pail of silence 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.
A ripple Of comment, and Colone
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 lef
him speechless. Here and there, al
he advanced, Fentress recognized {
friend and bowed coolly to the rign
and left.
tTo BE CoNTINUED)