The Border Legion

"But I must hustle with my story. ... They was havin' a trial down

at the big hall, an' thet place was sure packed. No diggin' gold to-

day! ... Think of what thet means for Alder Creek. I got inside

where I could stand on a barrel an' see. Dartt an' Singleton an'

Frenchy an' Texas was bein' tried by a masked court. A man near me

said two of them had been proved guilty. It didn't take long to make

out a case against Texas an' Frenchy. Miners there recognized them

an' identified them. They was convicted an' sentenced to be hung! ..

Then the offer was made to let them go free out of the border if

they'd turn state's evidence an' give away the leader an' men of the

Border Legion. Thet was put up to each prisoner. Dartt he never

answered at all. An' Singleton told them to go to hell. An' Texas he

swore he was only a common an' honest road-agent, an' never heard of

the Legion. But the Frenchman showed a yellow streak. He might have

taken the offer. But Texas cussed him tumble, an' made him ashamed

to talk. But if they git Frenchy away from Texas they'll make him

blab. He's like a greaser. Then there was a delay. The big crowd of

miners yelled for ropes. But the vigilantes are waitin', an' it's my

hunch they're waitin' for Pearce."

"So! And where do we stand?" cried Kells, clear and cold.

"We're not spotted yet, thet's certain," replied Oliver, "else them

masked vigilantes would have been on the job before now. But it's

not sense to figger we can risk another day. ... I reckon it's hit

the trail back to Cabin Gulch."

"Gulden, what do you say?" queried Kells, sharply.

"I'll go or stay--whatever you want," replied the giant. In this

crisis he seemed to be glad to have Kells decide the issue. And his

followers resembled sheep ready to plunge after the leader.

But though Kells, by a strange stroke, had been made wholly master

of the Legion, he did not show the old elation or radiance. Perhaps

he saw more clearly than ever before. Still he was quick, decisive,

strong, equal to the occasion.

"Listen--all of you," he said. "Our horses and outfits are hidden in

a gulch several miles below camp. We've got to go that way. We can't

pack any grub or stuff from here. We'll risk going through camp. Now

leave here two or three at a time, and wait down there on the edge

of the crowd for me. When I come we'll stick together. Then all do

as I do."