Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 627 — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ee “« - a —— + ——_——- in most cases their own fathers had joined hands with them. One thing was settled; the prisoner could not be taken to the woods and executed, as in ordinary lynching methods. Nor could he be hung outside the mill, for the rifles of the rescuers covered every point. Yet within the strong stone walls of the mill any outrage might be consummated, In fact, noises were heard through the night on the upper floor of the mill, and lights shone through its windows. Tho sound of busy hammers echoed on the night air. What they conjectured was actually iu process of execution. Under the strong floor, under the high gable roof, an impromptu gallows was being erected, built of some strong beams which lay there. ‘The thing’s got to be did, but it’s goin’ to be did fairand square,’ said one of the builders, as he lied his hammer lustily; ** the gallows is ’cording to aw, and when he’s swuvg off it won't be no make- shift.” Below, on the first floor of the building, a lynch court was in session, considering the case which they had taken in hand. The prisoner was brought before them and ques- tioned, but he refused to answer any further than he had already done. , ‘You give me no time or chance to bring my wit- nesses,’’ he declared. ‘‘ Without them I cannot clear myself. If you decide to murder me, I have no redress. : This appeal had little effect. ‘He was found on the stolen hoss,”’ was the decision of the court. ‘* Hoss-stealin’ is hangin’, ‘cordin’ to our *terpretation of the law. At day- break the prisoner at the bar shall be hung by the neck till he is dead, and may it be a warnin’ to all hogs-thieves in these United States.” The stern watch continued out-ide. Yet the res- cuing party did not content themselves with that. The sheriff and constable had already ridden off to neighboring towns for aid. Bidding their comrades to hold their ground firmly, they promised to bring them abundant assistance before morning. The stranger who had aided so efficiently in the affray had also disappeared. What had become of him no one knew. ies CHAPTER XIII. NEW POINTS IN THE GAME. ' Wuuze the events just described were taking place, the Mayor of Mayville was surprised by an unex- pected visit. , A gentleman called on him whom he had never seen before, but who was no other than the stran- ger who had rendered such efficient service in the effort torescue Tom Bruce. ‘“You know what has taken place here this even- ing?’ he asked, after some preliminary conversa- ' tion. sé Yes,”’ ‘Tt is an illegal outrage, which you should use all the power of the law to prevent.” “Ah! you think so? Are you a citizen of Arkan- "des ‘‘No, sir; Iam from Tennessee.”’ “T might have known that, or you would have known that when an Arkansas lynching-party takes a job in hand, the law has to stand aside. x ‘But this boy is innocent. He must be saved. ‘¢ How do you know he is innocent? “Because I know that he is the victim of a trick, and that his reputed father, Jake Bruce, is at the ee of le pe he : repu ather?”’ ** Yes. fre is no more his father than you are. Secondly, I have evidence that Jake Bruce had a hand in the murder of John Huntly. ““The deuce!’’ cried the mayor, springing ex- citedly to his feet. “If you can show all that— But who are you, sir? hat do you know about this busines, ?” ‘‘T am Edward Gordon by name, from Nashville, Tennessee. I know all about the mystery surround- ing this boy, and I know that Jake Bruce has an in- terest In the murder of John Huntly.” ‘*Ha!” cried the mayor, ‘that is the first light we have had on the matter. But why have we not seen you sooner? If you know anything about this matter, why have you concealed it?” ‘“* Because I had nothing but suspicions. I was in Mayville a week or two ago, end tried to scare Jake Bruce into a confession, but failed todo so. He is too old a rogue for that. Then I made a search of the Huntly mansion.” ** Did ee discover anything?” ‘* Nothing but this scrap of paper.” He laid a torn scrap of letter-paper on the table. * Well?’ demanded themayor. ‘* What does that signify?’ ; “ T recognize it as my own handwri'ing,” replied Mr. Gordon. “Itisa scrap from a letter which I had written to Jake Bruce several days before the murder.” ‘+ah! and that was found in Huntly’s house? That isimportant. But then you are in correspond- ence with this ruffian?”’ “Yes, I have son mon ae hy m got aoe not ivulged yet. e important matters to attend to. I waited for fuller evidence concerning the murder. To-day I have gained it.’’ é ‘ “Proceed. sir. Your story is very interesting. “It is in the shape of a diamond-pin, which I my- self gave to Huntly several Arai ago. To-day I saw it in the necktie of Tony ! link, the accomplice ake Bruce in this murder. | the real culprits.”’ Tom Bruce of Arkansas. re Ce **Why, that is proof positive! You are prepared to swear to all this?” “T am. These guiity men must be punished. That innocent youth must be saved.”’ ‘*They shall be arrested at once,’’ cried the mayor, eagerly. ‘‘I will send out the warrants im- mediately.” * And a flag of truce must be sent into the miil where the boy is confined. Those men must be made to delay action till we get a confession from ‘Very good. We must act at once. Leave the arrest of the murderers to me. You must attend to the flag of truce business. There is no time to lose.” They sepurated, each to his assigned duties. The mayor sent deputies to the houses of the accused men, with orders to arrest them. If not found at home, a search for them was to be made through the town, That they were uot ccncerned in the conflict that had taken place, was well known, While the fierce fight for the rescue of the prisoner was In progress, Jake Bruce had not appeared. Nor had he since shown himself, It was conjectured that he was somewhere drunk, But Mr. Gordon threw no lizht upon the matter by declaring that a trap had been Jaid by his reputed father for the destruction of Tom, whom he feared, and that he had purposely desisted from aiding in his rescue. The night Was well advanced when Mr. Gordon made his me arance again in the silent party of watchers. | was as he had left ft. Nearthe mill armed sentinels were patrolling, their figures lit up by lanterns. In the darkness outside, heedless of the chill of the night, lay in ambush a noiseless but vizilant band of youthful wardens. A short conference ensued between Mr. Gordon and some of the leaders of the party. Ten minutes afterward two persons advanced, with a white flag, on which shone the light of a lantern, As they drew near the mill, they were checked by an armed sentinel, with leveled rifle. ‘‘We must see the leaders of your party,” cried Mr. Gordon. ‘‘Something of importance has been discovered during the last hour. We are on the track of the real criminals. The boy in your hands is innocent.” This demand and statement were taken into the mill, and after some delay word came out to admit the envoys. ; nti | their flag of truce, the two men, Mr. Gor- don and Mr. Wilson, entered the mill. It was a picturesque scene on which they gazed. Men were lying or sitting at all points on the floor, their rifles ready at hand, the candle-light playing upon their shadowy forms, while darkness rested in the recesses of the large apartment. In the center was a group of five or six men, to whom the envoys were led. A conference ensued, in which Mr. Gordon re- ted what he had told the mayor, and declared hat within the next hour the real culprits would be in custody. ‘You say the boy is innocent,” declared Colonel Brown, who formed one of the party. “If so, will ou explain how he came to caught on my orse ?” ‘* He was entrapped into it. He had nothing to do with the stealing of the horse. He was on a journey to Tennessee to see me, and expected to leave the horse where he had found if,”’ “That is that fairy story over again,” cried the colonel, incredulously. ‘‘ Who laid the trap for him ?”’ ‘* Jake Bruce.” ie ‘“‘ His father? That will not go down. “Ttell you that Jake Bruce is not hisfather. I can prove it to you.” | ‘You must prove that he is a murderer and a horse-thief, roo. The boy was found on the horse. That is our case. Is not that so, gentlemen?” “Yes,” came the stern answer from a dozen mouths. “ Jake Bruce and his confederate will be arrested within an hour,”’ nrarened Mr. Gordon, “ They sball confess the truih. I know how to make them, But, time is necessary. That innocent boy in your hands must be held intact till this matter is se through.”’ “That will do,” said the colonel, firmly. ‘ We have heard your case. Retire outside for the pres- ent while we consult uponit. You shall have our answer as soon as we have come to a decision.”’ A conference succeeded, which lasted for half an hour, At the end of it the envoys were brought ack. ‘* What time do you need to seize those men and force them to confess?’ demanded Colonel Brown, ‘‘ It may take a considerable time. Wemay need till noon to-morrow.” ‘Tf it can be done at all, five hours are as good as ten,” was the firm answer. ‘‘ We will grant you till nine o’clock to-morrow. Ifthe proof is not forth- coming then, to our satisfaction, the thief, Tom Bruce, shall be hung. That is our final answer.”’ Meanwhile the mayor was busy outside. He had roused up and sent out his officers with warrants for the arrest of Jake Bruce and Tony Blink, order- ing that they should be brought before him at his office as soon as taken. The officers proceeded to the houses of these in- dividuals, expecting to take them without trouble; but neither of them were found at home. They had both left their houses shortly before the affray at the lock-up, and had not returned since. The various drinking saloons in the town were next visited, but with equal ill-fortune. Neither of them were to be found. These places, indeed, were deserted, all their usual occupants being with the party at the mill. 1S . The officers continued their search, but with equal ill-fortune. No trace of either of the men was to be found anywhere in the town, It began to look as if they had taken the alarm and fled, In order to understand what had actually become of them, we must go a little back and consider their movements. We have already seen that they had taken no. part in the exciting events of the day and evening. It was not for want of vital interes’ in these events. They had mingled with the people of their own de- gree, Jake declaring loudly that it was a conspiracy to make way with his boy, and that it wasn’t in Tom. to steal a horse. When the affray of the evening took place they | were on the outskirts of the crowd, and had ad-: vanced, indeed, to join the party of rescuers, when Jake laid a warning hand on Tony’s arm. “*Guv it up, Tony,’ he whispered hoarsely. ‘‘ That. game's played.” * Why?” ‘*Don’t you see? He’s thar, by thunder!” He was pointing to a man who had just appeared in the throng. It was the stranger, Mr, Gordon. ‘*What fotches him here?’ asked Jake, hoarsely. “°Tain’t arter no fun fur us. We've got to keep our eyes skinned, Tony, fur the Old Nick's loose.” Tony was shaking with fear. ‘* He threatened you when he was here before?”’ ‘*Yes. That's what made me push this ‘adi through with the boy. He’s back ag’in, durn him, — I’m afeard this bizness ‘11 make him snap the nes,” ‘* What’s to be done, Jake?”’ “Watch him, It's that Huntly bizness that fotches him here, Tony. I’m afeard he’s on the: track o’ that,” The confederates anxiously observed the events that succeeded. When the watchers gathered around the mill, they stood in the background, eagerly observing, ‘* Looks squally for Tom,”’ whispered Tony. “Thar digs out Gordon,’ crie ‘“* What's he arter now? Tony. He’s our meat.”’ They did so, with great caution, until they had. tracked him to the house of the mayor, “The dog’s dead now,” declared Jake. “If we don’t want our necks stretched we've got ter slide, and that lively. We'll be snatched afore an hour iff we stay here,”’ ‘*Run for it?” asked ah * Run fur it, my cove. Jf you wanter stay and be scragged, all right, but old Jake Bruce weren’t born. no fool.” ‘‘T have no money,” said Tony. : ‘*'Then sneak back home, rake up all you can, and eg out. I’m off now. Got no time tospare, We'd. t foller different ways.”’ Jake meant all he said. Without heeding what. became of his companion in crime he started at once, leaving the town by the eastward road, He had more in view than he had revealed to: Tony. His journey led over the road which Tom had pursued on his mysterious excursion, and its first staze endedin the grove where the horses had been found. It was now past midnight, and very dark. He entered the grove, however, groping his way with difficulty through it, until he had reached a. point near its center. ‘*That’s the stump now,” he declared, as he stum- bled and caught himself, ‘The tree must lay off my > es fl Carefully feeling, his hands soon fell on a huge, rugged trunk, This he followed with his hands to a. po softer material. With a chuckle of satisfaction he pulled out a. large handful of moss, which had been thrust into a. cavity of the tree. Inserting his hand now, he thrust it far in, and drew it out holding an oil-skin package, which seem-- ed to contain papers. A cry of satisfaction came from his lips. ‘**T bet I make somebody knuckle down,” he said. “Them dockyments is all safe, and here’s fur Ten- nessee. Ain’t goin’ to stay in these diggin’s to git. scragged; not if the court knows herself.” | He now left the wood and pursued his way slong se ere concealing Lis prize within an inside pocket, ; The night was dark, however, and his progress. very slow. Later in the night he crept into a hay- stack and slept for several hours. He had made but: about ten miles of distance. Obtaining some breakfast the next morning, he pursued his journey. His mode of life had made him anything but a brisk walker, and at nine o’clock he bad added but. about five miles more to his distance from Mayville. ‘* 4 mile more’ll fotch me to Jimson's,’’ he said. “'Thar’s a hoss and wagon waitin’ fur me there, and I’ll spin the rest of the way lively. Jake Bruce ain't. no fool of a road tramp, no how you kin make it.” Had he known the terrible fate that was in wait for him he would have sunk to the earth in horror. On the western sky there lay a strangely lurid cloud, of frightful aspect. But of this he saw nothing, and tramped steadily on, unaware that the hand of doom was upraised d him, and that Providence had prepared & terrible retribution for his crimes. CHAPTER XIV. THE HAND OF HEAVEN. THE mening dawned, and the bours slowly moved on toward that fatal limit fixed for the execution. Yet none of the new evidence which Mr. Gordon had promised was yet forthcoming. Jake, suddenly. We got ter foller him, t near the trunk, where the bark gave way to a. mu ae “OF Pee ) ~ as * ut .com 2 te Cw - fe