The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-24
CHAPTER w

nc StOrr or the hrst trial at ShecD
Camp is an old one, but it differs
with every telling. In the hectic
hurry OF that gold-rush many Incl
dents were soon forgotten and such
salient facts as did survive were
deeply colored, for those were color
full days.
The meeting was quickly organ
lied along formal lines and a COM
mittec OF three was APPOINTED to
conduct the hearing. The chairman
Of this committce-he constituted
himself chairman by virtue of the
fact that he was first nominated
made ringing speech in which he
praised his honesty, his fairness, and
his knowledge Of the law. He CON-
plmcnted the miners for their acu-
men in selecting for such a position
OF responsibility a man of his dis
tincuished qualifications. 1t was
plain that he believed they had
chosen wisely. Then. having in
quired the names Of his. two COM
mittcemen, he likewise Commended
them in glowing terms. although of
course he could not praise them quite
as unstintedly as he had praised
himself, Still. he spoke we'll Of
them and concluded by stating that
so long as affairs were left in his
hands justice would be safeguarded
and the rights Of this miserable.
cringing trio of thieves would be
protected, albeit killing. in his judy
mont. was too mild punishment for
people of their caliber.
Hear! Hear yelled the mob.
% Pierce Phillips listened to this
speech with a keenly personal and
yet peculiarly detached interest.
The situation struck him as unreal,
Srotesque,< and thc whole procedure
as futile Under other circumstances
it would have been grimly amusing /;
now he was rnccm fcrtably aware
that it was ANYTHING but that There
was no law whatever in the land save
the will Of these men in their hands
lay life or death, cxoncratipn or in
fanny. He searched the faces round
about him. but could find signs
neither Of friendship nor Of SYM
patty This done. he looked every
where for glimpse Of a woman's
str, w-colored hair and was relieved
to discover that the Countess Cour-
team was not in the audience.
Doubtless she had left Tor Dyea and
was already some distance dowa the
trail. He breathed easier. for he did
not wish her to witness his humilia-
ton. and her presence would have
merely added to his einbarra ssment.
The prosecution 5 case was quick
~ made. and it was strong one.
Even yet the dann;ng trickle Of rice
grains could be traced through the
moss and mire directly to the door
Ct the prisoners tent. and the origi-
NAL package. identified positively BY
its owner. was put in evidence. This
IN itself was enough: testimony from,
the other men who had likewise re-
covered merchandise they had
missed and mourled merely strength
cned the case and further infamed
the minds Of the citizens.
When it came .i,nc to hear the de-
Tense. tho McCaskeys stared at
Pierce coolly: therefore he climbed
to the tent platform and faced his
accuscrS.
lie made known his name, his
birthplace. the ship which had borne
him. north. He told how he had
landed at Dyea. how, I,e had lost his
last dollar at the ga,nbling-tabIe. how
he had appealed to the McClasket
bows. and how they had given him
shelter That chance association, The
took pains TO explain. had continued,
but had never ripcncd into anything
more. anything closer: it was in no
wise partnership; he had nothing
to do with then, and they had Moth
ing to do with him. Ina srnuc, as
the rice had been stolen during the
previous night. he argued that he
could have had no hand in the theft,
for he had spent the night in Lin
derman, which fact he offered to
prove by two witnesses.
Produce them" ordered the chair
man. @ >ns.>,
Zone Of them is still at l.inderman,
the other was here in Sheep, Camp
an hour ago. She has probably
started for Dyea by this time"
"A woman?" "a.
"Yes. sir. brought her across
What is her name?"
Phillips hesitated. "The Countess
Courteau," said he. There was a
murmur of interest; the members OF
the committee conferred with one
another.
DO you mean to tell us that you've
got a titled witness?" the .self-ap.
pointed spokesman inquired ri.
face wore smile of disbelief; when
the prisoner flushed aud nodded he
called out oyer the heads of the
crowd: : =
INsTALMENT NINE