The Port Gibson reveille., 1916-10-26

offered reused Duane's curiosity
Abruptly he decided to ride over there
and find out who wanted him dead OF
alive. and why.
Toward afternoon, from the top oi
long hill, Duane saw the green field,
and trees and shining roofs Of towT
he considered must be Shirley. And al
the bottom OF the hill he came upor
an intersecting road. There was 1
placard nailed on the cross-road sign
post Duane drew rein near it anC
leaned close to read the faded print
"S1. 600 REWARD FOR BUCE
DUANE DEAD OR ALIVE" Peerinl
closer to read the finer, more faded
print, Duane learned that he was want
ed for the murder of Mrs. JEFF Aiker
ut her ranch near Shirley. The month
September was named, but the date
was illegible. The reward was offered
by the woman's husband, whose name
appeared with that of a sheriff's al
the bottom of the placard.
Duane read the thing twice. When
he Strengthened he was sick with the
horror Of his fate, wild with passion
at those misguided fools who could
believe that he had harmed a woman.
A dark. passionate fury possessed
him. It shook him like storm shakes
the oak. When 1t passed. leaving him
cold, with elouded brow and piercing
eye, him mind was set. Squirting his
horse, he rode straight toward the
village.
Shirley appeared to be large, pre-
tentious country town. A branch Of
some railroad terminated there The
main street was wide, bordered by
trees and commodious houses, and
many of the stores were of brick. A
large plaza shaded by giant cotton
wood occupied a central location.
Duane pulled his running horse and
halted him, plunglng and snorting, be-
fore a group of idle men who lounged
on benches in the shade of spread
ing cottonwood. How many times had
Duane seen just that kind of lazy
Shirt-Sleeved Texas group! Not often,
however. had he seen such placid,
lolling, good-natured men change their
expression, their attitude so swiftly.
His advent apparently was mOmentOus.
They evidently took him for an un-
usual visitor. SO far as Duane could
tell, not one of them recognized him,
had a hint of his identity.
He slid of his horse and threw the
bride.
'I'm Buck Duane" he said. 81 saw
that placard-out there on sign-post.
It's a damn lieI Somebody find this
man JEFF Aiken. want to see him.
His announcement was taken In abb
solute silence. That was the only
effect he noted, for he avoided looking
at these villagers. The reason was
simple enough; Duane felt himself
overcome with emotion. There were
tears In his eyes. He sat down on
bench, put his elbows on his knees
and his hands to his face. For once
he had absolutely no concern for his
fate. This ignominy was the last
straw.
Presently. however. he became
aware Of some kind of commotion
among these villagers. He heard
whispering. low, hoarse voices, then
the shuttle of rapid feet moving away.
All at once violent hand jerked his
gun from It's holster. When Duane
rose a gaunt man, Iiyid of face, shak-
ing like a leaf. confronted him with
his own gun.
Hands up, thar, you Buck Duane!"
he rOared. waving the gun.
That appeared to be the cue for
pandemonium to break loose. Several
men lay hold of his arms and pinioned
them behind his back. Resistance was
useless even If Duane had had the
spirit. One of them fetched his
halter from bis saddle, and with this
they bound him helpless.
People were running now from the
street, the stores, the houses. Old
men, cowboys, clerks, boys, ranchers
came on the trot. The crowd grew.
The increasing clamor began to at
tract women as well as men. A group
Of girls ran up then hung back in
fright and pity.
The presence, of cowboys made a
difference. They split up the crowd,
got to Duane. and lay hold Of him
with rough bushes like hands. One
of them lifted his fists and roared at
the frenzied mob to fall back, to stop
the racket. He beat them back into a
circle; but it was some little time be-
fore the hubbub quieted down so a
voice could be heard.
shut up. will you-aIIr' he was
yelling. "GIve as a chance to hear
somethin'. Easy now-soho. There
amt nobody goin' to be hurt. Thet's |
right; everybody quiet now. Let's see
what's come or
This cowboy, evidently one of
or at least one of strong
turned to the gaunt man.
who still waved Duane's gun.
ABE. put the gun down" he said.
ut might go off. Here. give It to me. |
Now. what's wrong? Who's this roped |
gent. an what's he done?"
The gaunt fellow. who appeared now
about to collapse. lifted q shaking
hand and pointed.
"Thet thar felIer-he's Buck |
Duanel" be painted.
An angry murmur ran through the
surrounding crowd.
''The rope The ropeI Throw It |
over branchl String him upl" cried
an excited villager