The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-07-01

to gain accurate information and an
answer to one vital question. Was
Tamarack held as feud victim. or
was his arrest legitimatsi How to
learn that was the problem. To send
body Of men was to invite bloodshed.
To send q single inquirer was to de-
liver him over to the enemy.
Air you men willin' ter take my
word about Tamarack?" inquired Sam
con. There was a clamorous assent.
and the boy turned to Lescott.
81 wants ye ter take Sally home with
We. Ye'd better start right away, afore
she beers any of this talk. Hit would
fret her. Tell her I've had ter go cross
Their country piece, ter see a sick
man. Don't tell her whar I'm a-goin'."
He turned to the others. Il reckon
I've got yore promise tibet Mr.. Lescott
hain't a-goin' ter be bothered afore
gifts back?"
VILE McCager promptly gave the as
surance.
Il gives We my hand ON hit"
IL seed Jim Asberry loafin' round
Jest beyond Their ridge. ~ rid over
hyar," volunteered the man who had
brought the message.
60 slow now, Samson. Don't be no
blame fool" dissuaded Vile McCager.
"Hixon's plumb full OF them Hollmans.
an they're likely ter be full OF Kicker
hits Saturday. Hits apt ter be shore
death fer We ter try ter ride through
Main street-ef ye gifts tibet far. Ye
dassent do hit"
81 dast do anything" asserted the
boy, with a fash of sudden anger.
Some liar lowed awhile ago tibet
was a coward. All right, mebby l be.
Unc' Vile. keep the boys hyar tell We
hears from mean keep 'em sober"
He turned and made his way to the
fence where his mule stood hitched.
When Samson crossed the ridge and
entered the Holman country, Jim AS
berry, watching from a hilltop point OF
vantage, rose and mounted the horse
that stood hitched behind a nearby
screen of rhododendron bushes and
young cedars. Sometimes. he rode just
one bend Of the road in Samsons rear.
Sometimes, he took short cuts. and
watched his enemy pass. But always
he held him under q vigilant eye.
Finally. he reached a wayslde store
where a local telephone gave communl-
cation with Hollman's Mammoth De-
partment store.
"Jedge," he informed, Samson
South's done left the party ct Their
mill. an he's a-ridin' towards town
Shall git him?"
"Is he comm by hisselfr" inquired
the storekeeper.
Eyes"
well, Jest let him come on. we
can tend ter him hyar, eft necessary.
So Jim withheld his hand, and merely
Swallowed, sending bulletins. from time
| to time.
It was about three o'clock when sam
son started. It was near SIX wnen ne
reached the ribbon Of road that loops
down into town over the mountain.
His mule was IN lather OF sweat. ne
knew that he was being spied upon,
and that word of his coming was tfaT-
cling ahead of him. What he dld not
know was whether or not 1t suited
Jesse Purvy's purpose that he should
slide from his mule, dead. before ne
turned homeward. If Tamarack had
been seized as a declaration of war,
the chief South would certainly not
be allowed to return. If the arrest had
not been for feud reasons, he might
escape. That was the question which
would be answered with his life or
death.
The "jailhouse" was a small build
| ing of homemade brick. sQuatting at
the rear of the courthouse yard As
Samson drew near. he 5aw that some
ten or twelve nsn. ARMED with Afas.