Glacier County chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1931-1940, 1939-11-10
CHAPTER xvI-Continued

the porch. He spoke softly, s.Ain't no
.use rushin' him; he'll shoot an kill
somebody. But if we was to kind
of separate :"
What do you mean, jeff"
Go ev'y which way. Sneak up on
him from both Sides
Glenn Ross shook his head. Hes
boun' to kill somebody. A Teller
don't bluff when he's a-fixin' to git
hung"
Babe Henkel broke in, "Scared,"
"No'm," whined Glenn, 1--WE amt
skeered ezackly, but"
But you are. You're eight men
against one." She whirled on JEFF
Butler, her black eyes swapping.
did you come here to talk or to
act? Are you letting three women
brighten you away 2"
One of the swamp angels spoke.
He ought to be hung, ma'am, but
it amt safe goin' after him. If
them wimmin wasn't there :"
well, they are And if you don't
get him now, you'll never get him."
The mob was not valiant. Mobs
never are. They work in a frenzy of
hysteria; they demand safety. Walk
ing In on loaded gun is not part
OF the plan. No man in that crowd
had contemplated personal danger.
UNFOLDING the honor and purity of
Beauregard County was all right,
but not worth serious injury. JEFF
fhA -
men. He knew that he had worked
well. that he had famed them into
homicidal fury. But Barney Ham
ilton's calmness, his readiness
were frightening them away. And
JEFF realized that Babe had spoken
truly. There could never be a sec
ond lynching-party. It was now or
never. Mr.. Butler took refuge in
loud talk fearful of the future.
II they went home now, if the mob
disintegrated = Barney would be
free. There would be trouble. And
always the danger that the Kirk
Reynolds matter would continue to
weigh on the mind of an inquisitive
public.
JEFF said, "You better come down,
Barney Hamilton"
No answer. The tableau held. Grim
and futile.
JEFF experienced sudden anger.
He addressed his companions, 1--WE
come to git that teller an we're a.
goin' to git him. If them wimmin
won't git off the po'ch g.. let 'em
git hurt
There was an angry murmur of
endorsement. They're askin' TO-
it."
Come on!" yelled jeff. "Ev'y-
bodyR'
He gestured valiantly toward the
veranda. Three or four of the men
stepped forward-tentatively The
butt of Barney's gun moved-ever
SO ittle-toward his shoulder. He
said, calmly-"Just one more step
They backed away. "Ain't no use
gittin' kilt" said someone.
"Skeered!" rallied jeff.
Didn't see you rushin' forward
none, JEFF Butler
Mr.. Butler broke into oratory. He
recounted the evil which had been
inflicted upon the county by Cathe-
dral Gardens, by Barney Hamilton.
He urged action, but failed to sup
ply the leadership. Babe swung on
Dan Creedon. why don't you 90
first?" she asked.
Because I'm not fool. That kid
means business.
JEFF was frightened. He knew that
the mob frenzy had passed its peak.
He tried to rouse them again. His
voice was shril and harsh. They
listened alphabetically. Then they
heard Barney speaking.
Barney said, 81 don't know any of
you except jeff Butler. But / do
know why he's here. He came to
get me because whipped him in a
fight one day."
That's a lie. / come after Won
because the law is lettin' you git
away with murder and them
that take human life had ought to
be strung up"
Barney again, talking to tse 9TH
ers. II didn't kill Kirk Reynolds
but it doesn't matter whether
you believe me or not. You're let
ting yourself get tricked by this
man, Butler. He's yellow all
through ;"
"Yaller!" jeff raised bony arms
high into the night. He shrieked
with fury. "Yaller! Calm me val
Ter when you're the yallerest
man there is" He faced his friends.
"You amt got nothin' to be skeered
Of. There amt nobody mo- yaller
than Barney Hamilton"
Somebody asked, 'How you know,
Jeff?"
Il got reason to know. He's bluff
in, that's what. He's a coward.
There wouldn't nobody but a cow
ard hit a man who was wearin'
glasses"
A voice queried. "what man?"