The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1913-11-28
CHAPTER X.
KnfP'c N0rrnfi1,P

At Hundred Mile House the long
table had been removed from the din
ing hall, the benches set back to the
log walls, and at the head of the room
an enormous Union Jack draped a
very small portrait of Queen Victoria.
Beneath was the chair, in front of 1t
a table set with writing materials and
the Bible, while at one end the school
ma'am looked very self-conscious as
clerk, in official black, with large red
bows like signals of distress.
On the right sat Iron Dale, Jesse, and
myself, and all our posse, very ill at
ease. On the left we're two gaunt
American stockmen, both wearing
hats, while one had the star of a
United States marshal. Beside them
sat the general public, consisting of
fearful George, two ranch-hands an
Indian, and the captains bulldog.
Wee James, the captains grandson,
sat with the dog at first, but pres
emily he interrupted the court to say
that he would like to sit on me. He
sat with considerable weight for so
small person.
At Captain Taylor's entrance the
constable ordered us all to stand. At
sight of the two strangers he mount
ed a single eye-glass, and stared with
growing wrath until they removed
their hats. Then, taking the chair,
he permitted us to be seated and or
dered his constable to Bring the
prisoners aft"
Had our captives been washed and
brushed, they might not have looked
so wretched or so guilty. Old O'FlynE,
described by Jesse as Whiskers, with
his head in a blood-stained bandage,
his right hand in a CORY handkerchief,
looked so ill that he was given a seat.
The Mexican, whose beautiful leather
dress, and soft dark eyes reminded
me sharply of the opera-house,
seemed like a trapped wolf, only
thinking Of escape to the nearest
woods. Bull Durham's staggering
gallantry was marred by obvious
traces of black eye.
Prisoners" said our justice of the
peace, laying his hand on the Bible,
this book contains the only law /
know. I'm not here as judge or law
yer, but as one of Her Majesty's Off
GERS trusted to do the sporting thing,
end to deal fairly and squarely with
three innocent men who have the
misfortune to be charged with crime.
You've only to prove to me that
you're innocent, and I have power
to let you go free. But / warn you
to tell the truth"
Seems a square deal, Cap" said
Whiskers.
1T is a square deal. Now, would
you like to have some one of your
countrymen as prisoners friend?"
Whiskers looked reproachfully at
the United States marshal who de-
manded his extradition, and the rep
resentative of stock associations who
offered fabulous rewards for his body,
dead or alive
WALL" he drawled, mot exactly"
You other prisoners. Do you ac-
cept this man as your spokesman ?"
Isl, senor"
That's all right" said Bull.
Prisoner O'Flynn, you are charged
with assaulting woman, you others
with aiding and abetting. Guilty or
not guilty?''
Its fact" said Whiskers sadly,
"and all three of us wishes to say
what's got to be said"-he drew him
self up TO his full height-"by gentle
men! We tried to force lady to
give her husband away. She shamed
us, and we honors Mrs. Smith for
what she done. She told us to 60 to
blazes. Yes. sir! We just owns up
that we're guilty as hell. as the best
way of showing our respect"
Gentlemen" Captain Taylor spoke
very gently. 81 understand that you.
O'Flynn. received two wounds in pun
ishment, and that two OF your COM
rades were killed by the men who
avenged this affront. Is that true?"
tits fact"
THE verdict of the court is. not
guilty
But prisoner. your confession
proves the right of the settlers TO
organize for defense of the settle
inert until the constable could be