Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-12-20
CHAPTER K.

CHAPTER x.
Notes NdrrGttve.
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 it
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 i'll at
ease On the left were 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 a person
al captain Taylor 8 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 OFlynn
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
Eallantry 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,
and to deal fairly and squarely with
three innocent men who have the
misfortune to be charged with crime
you're innocent, and 1 have power
60 let you go free. But l warn you
TO tell the truth"
Seems square deal. Cap" said
fSNhiskers.
1T is a square deal Now, would
you like to have some one of your
fry nriS0 fx;1 4 1ps
Whiskers looked reproachfully al
the United States marshal who de
ananded his extradition. and the rep
resentative of stock associations who
offered fabulous rewards for his BODY
s-dead or alive"
WALL" he drawIed. mot exactly
- You other prisoners. Do you &C
fcept this man as your spokesman? p
Isl, senor."
That's all right" said Bull.
Prisoner O'Flynn, you are charged
with assaulting woman, you Others
with aiding and abetting. Guilty o.
mot guilty?'
It's a fact" said Whiskers sadly
rand all three of us wishes to sa,
whats got to be said'-he drew him
self up to his full height-"by gentle
meni We tried to force a lady Il
9Aso ACA AuHD1AQ away 0n0 SndmGt
rus, and we honors Mrs Smith TO
what she done She told us to go t.
biazes- Yes. sir. We Just owns u,
chat we're guilty as hell, as the bes
way of showing our respect"
Gentlemen." Captain Taylor spoki
very gently IT understand that you
OFfynn. received two wounds in pun
sshment, and that two of your com
rades were killed by the men VIII,
avenged this affront Is that true?"
Its fact"
The verdict of the court is. no
guilty
But prisoner. your confession
fpFoves the right of the settlers t
torgan<ze for defense of the settle
nent antn the constable could b