ward The Oskaloosa Kid. They could hear the sullen

murmur of the crowd in front of the jail.

"If they get any booze," he said, "they'll take us out

of here and string us up. If you've got anything to say

that would tend to convince them that you did not kill

Paynter I advise you to call the guard and tell the truth,

for if the mob gets us they might hang us first and listen

afterward--a mob is not a nice thing. Beppo was an angel

of mercy by comparison with one."

"Could you convince them that you had no part in

any of these crimes?" asked the boy. "I know that you

didn't; but could you prove it to a mob?"

"No," said Bridge. "A mob is not open to reason. If

they get us I shall hang, unless someone happens to

think of the stake."

The boy shuddered.

"Will you tell the truth?" asked the man.

"I will go with you," replied the boy, "and take what-

ever you get."

"Why?" asked Bridge.

The youth flushed; but did not reply, for there came

from without a sudden augmentation of the murmur-

ings of the mob. Automobile horns screamed out upon

the night. The two heard the chugging of motors, the

sound of brakes and the greetings of new arrivals. The

reinforcements had arrived from Oakdale.

A guard came to the grating of the cell door. "The

bunch from Oakdale has come," he said. "If I was you

I'd say my prayers. Old man Baggs is dead. No one

never had no use for him while he was alive, but the

whole county's het up now over his death. They're

bound to get you, an' while I didn't count 'em all I

seen about a score o' ropes. They mean business."

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>