The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-01-09

to gain accurate information and an
answer to one vital question. Was
Tamarack held as a feud victim, or
was his arrest legitimate? How to
learn that was the problem. To send
a body Of men was to invite bloodshed.
To send a single inquirer was to de-
liver him over to the- enemy.
Air you men Willin' ter take my
word about Tamarack?' inquired Sam
son. There was a clamorous assent,
and the boy turned to Lescott-
81 wants We ter take Sally home with
ye. 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 a piece, ter see q sick
man. Don't tell her whar I'm a-goin'. -
He turned to the others. 81 reckon
I've got yore promise tibet Mr.. Lescott
hain't a-goin' ter be bothered afore l
gifts back?"
Vile McCager promptly gave the as
surance.
81 gives ye my hand on hit"
q seed Jim Asberry ioafn' round
jest beyond Their ridge, as l rid over
hyar," volunteered the man who had
brought the message.
GO 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 Ticker
hits Saturday. Hits apt ter be shore
death fer ye ter try ter ride through
Main street-ef We gifts thet 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 be.
Unc' Vile. keep the boys hyar tell ye
hears from mean keep EN- 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 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 SamsOn's rear
Sometimes, he took short cuts, and
watched his enemy pass. But always
he held him under a Yigilant eye
Finally, he reached a wayeide store
where local telephone gave communl-
cation with HolIman's Mammoth De
partment store.
ledge" he informed. Samson
South's done left the party ct ther
mill. an he's a-ridin' towards town
Shall git him?"
'1s he comm by hisself?" inquired
the storekeeper.
Yes"
'eWen. Jest let him come on. We
can tend ter him hyar, eff necessary
So Jim withheld his hand. and merely
Swallowed, sending bulletins. from time
to time.
1t was about three o'clock when Sam
son started 1t was near six when he
reached the ribbon of road that loops
down into town over the mountain
His mule was in a lather of sweat he
knew that he was being spied upon,
and that word of his coming was traT-
cling ahead of him What he did not
know was whether or not it suited
Jesse Purvy's purpose that he should
slide from his mule, dead before ne
| turned homeward- II Tamarack had
been seized as a declaration OF war,
the chief South would certainly net
be allowed to return. If the arrest had
not been for feud reasons. ne might
escape That was the question which
would be answered with his life %
death
The ~jaIIhouse" was q small build
ing Of homemade brick, squatting at
the rear OF the courthouse yard. As
Samson drew near. ne saw that some
( ten or twelve men. armed With rifles.