The Lure of the Dim Trails by B. M. Bower
page 64 of 114 (56%)
page 64 of 114 (56%)
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was not his idea of a mob; he had fancied they would howl
threats and wave bludgeons, as they did in stories. Mobs always "howled and seethed with passion" at one's doors; they did not stand about and talk quietly as though the subject was trivial and did not greatly concern them. But the men were pressing closer, and their very calmness, had he known it, was ominous. Lauman shifted his rifle ready for instant aim. "Boys, look here," he began more gravely, "I can't say I blame yuh, looking at it from your view-point. If you'd caught these men when yuh was out hunting 'em, you could uh strung 'em up-- and I'd likely uh had business somewhere else about that time. But yuh didn't catch 'em; yuh give up the chase and left 'em to me. And yuh got to remember that I'm the one that brought 'em in. They're in my care. I'm sworn to protect 'em and turn 'em over to the law--and it ain't a question uh whether they deserve it or not. That's what I'm paid for, and I expect to go right ahead according to orders and hang 'em by law. You can't have 'em--unless yuh lay me out first, and I don't reckon any of yuh would go that far." "There's never been a man hung by law in this county yet," a voice cried angrily and impatiently. "That ain't saying there never will be," Lauman flung back. "Don't yuh worry, they'll get all that's coming to them, all right." |
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