Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-01-13
XVII.
Facing the Mob.

S ~ NASPAAJ q oCASC vi
the ludicrous. The young man holly
burst into passionate argument and
reasonable hypothesis.
Waving aside Mizzoo's protest, Will
fred elaborated his theory Of an Indi-
an attack, described Bricks peaceable
disposition. his gentleness to Lahoma,
then dwelt on the friendship between
himself and Brick and the relations be-
tween himself and Bricks ward.
1T all comes to this" Mizzoo de-
'clared: "If you could make me think
Wilcox q harmless lamb. and as in
nocent, it wouldn't change conditions.
This neighborhood calls for his life
;and'd take 1t if in reach. and my war
rant calls for his arrest. All I can
promise is to get him. If possible, be-
hind the bars before the mob gets him
in a rope"
Wilfred permitted himself the pleas
ure of haunting Mizzoo with the very
evident truth that before Wilcox was
hanged or imprisoned he must first be
caught.
Mizzoo grinned good naturally. "Yap.
Well. we've got a clew locked up in
Jail right now that could tell us some
thing, l judge, and will tell us some
thing before set free. It's name is Bill
Atkins. He's a wise old coon, but as
sour as a boiled owl-nothing as yet
to be negotiated with him than if he
was a bobcat catched in a trap. We're
hoping timeIl mellow him-t1me and
the prospect Of being took out and
swung from the nearest limb"
Wilfred insisted on an immediate
visit to Bill. Brick declared he
wouldn't tell Bill his hiding place." be
said, for he didn't want to get him
into trouble. He'll tell me If he knows
anything. and if he doesn't it's an out
rage to shut him up, old as he Is and as
rheumatic as he's old"
On the way to the rudely 1mprovised
prison Mizzoo defended himself. HE
wasn't too old and rheumatic to fight
like a wildcat. Why. he had to be
lifted up bodily and carried into his
cell. Not a word can we get out Of
him or q bite of grub into him. 1 be-
iieve that old codger's just too obsti.
nate to die!!'
When they reached the prison door
the crowd gathered about them. eager
for news. watching Mizzoo unfasten
the door as IL he We're unlocking the
secret to Willock's whereabouts. There
were loud imprecations on the head of
the murderer and fierce prophecies as
to what would happen to Bill if he
preserved his discriminating silence. 1t
seemed but a moment before hurrying
forms from many directions packed
themselves into a mass before the Jail.
The cells We're in the basement. The
only entrance to the building was by
means of a flight Of six steps leading
to an unroofed platform before the
door of the story proper. Mizzoo and
Wilfred, standing on this platform,
were lifted above the heads of perhaps
a hundred men, who watched eagerly
the dangling bunch Of keys. Mizzoo
had stationed three deputies at the foot
of the steps to keep back the mob. for
If the excited men once rushed into the
Jail nothing could check their course.
Mizzoo whispered to Wilfred, WED
better get in as quick as possible"
The words were lost in the increas-
ing roar of voices. He spoke again:
when l swing open the door that
bunch will try to make a run for it.
You jump inside and I'll be after you
like a shot. Well lock ourselves i'm
"Hey. Mizzoo!!' shouted a voice from
the crowd. bring out that old cuss.
Drag him to the platform, we want to
hear what he's got to say"
"Say. Mr.. Sheriff. Tell him if he
won't come to us. We'll go to him.
We've got to know where Brick Will
( locks hiding, and that's all about it."
"Sure!" growled u third. what kind
OF q town is this anyway? A refuge
for highwaymen and murderers?"
A struggle took place at the foot Of
the stairs. not so good naturally as
heretofore. A reasoning voice was
heard: ".Just let me say a word to the
boys"
Eyes" called others. lets hear him.
There was a surging forward. and a
nan vas lifted literally over the heads
Of the three deputies. He reached the
platform breathless, disheveled. but trf-
umphant. 1t was the survivor Of Red
KimbalPs band.
Mizzoo, mistaking his coming for u
general rush. had hastily relocked the
door, and he and Wilfred defended
themselves with drawn revolvers.
II amt up here to do no HARM" call
ed the ex-highwayman. Il amt got
the spirit for warfare. My chief is
killed. my pards is dead. Even that in
nocent stage driver what knew nothing
Of us is killed in the attack that Brick
Wilcox made On Is in the dark and
behind our backs. How're you going
to grow when the whole world knows
You nin't nothing but n den Of snakes?
Yol may claim it's all Brick Wilcox.
4 say If he's bigger than the town. II