Part 23 (2/2)
The croas deterally and as prescribed by ancient custoave Runnion's evidence a hearing; then, taking lanterns, went down to the big tarpaulin-covered pile beside the river, where it found the crate of haro's tracks There was no defence for the culprit and he offered none, being too scared by now to do rih over when Lieutenant Burrell walked into the tent saloon
He had been in his quarters all day, fighting a fight with hiainst his cramped conditions and the ith his conscience, he had sallied out, and, drawn by the crowd in Stark's place, had entered
Ahi was under Lee's domination, and the miners maintained an orderly and business-like procedure The chairestion had vanished with his sudden assumption of responsibility, and he showed no trace of drink in his bearing Beneath a laths of cotton tent-rope to a broomstick for a knout, while others, who lots to see upon ould devolve the unpleasant duty of flogging the captive The matter-of-fact, relentless expedition of the affair shocked Burrell inexpressibly, and seeing Poleon and Gale near by, he edged towards the that they surely could not be in sympathy with this barbarous procedure
”You don't understand, Lieutenant,” said Gale, in a low voice ”This nigger is a THIEF!”
”You can't kill aa few hams”
”It ain't so much WHAT he stole; it's the idea, and it's the custoh, without the other”
”Dis stealin' she's bad biznesse,” declared Poleon ”Mebbe dose ham is save some poor feller's life”
”It's nantly, ”and I won't stand for it”
Gale turned a look of curiosity upon the officer ”How are you going to help yourself?” said he; but the young man did not wait to reply
Quickly he elbowed his way towards the centre of the scene with that air of authority and determination before which a crowd melts and men stand aside Gale whispered to his co to be trouble” They stood on tiptoe, and watched eagerly
”Gentleray wretch, and facing the tentful of men, ”this man is a thief, but you can't kill hi, and touched the Lieutenant on the shoulder
”Do you mean to take a hand in all of my affairs?”
”This isn't your affair; it's mine,” said the officer ”This is what I was sent here for, and it's my particular business You seem to have overlooked that important fact”
”He stole my stuff, and he'll take his medicine”
”I say he won't!”
For the second time in their brief acquaintance these two men looked fair into each other's eyes Few men had dared to look at Stark thus and live; for when a man has once shed the blood of his fellow, a mania obsesses him, a disease obtains that is incurable There is an excitation of every sense when a hunter stands up before big game; it causes a thrill and flutter of undiscovered nerves, which nothing else can conjure up, and which once lived leaves an incessant hunger But the biggest game of all is man, and the fiercest sensation is hate
Stark had been a killer, and his brain had been seared with the flame till the scar was ineradicable He had lived those lurid seconds when afelt the great sensation, it could never die; yet with it all he was a cautiousup a quarrel than to reckless paroxysht him the value of a well-handled te when to use it and put it in action He knew intuitively that his hour with Burrell had not yet co Lee and the others an to babble until Burrell turned froambler and threw up his ar,” he told the mob ”You can't do it I'll hold him till the next boat comes, then I'll send him down-river to St
Michael's”
He laid his hand upon the negro and made for the door, with face set and eyes watchful and alert, knowing that a hair's weight ht shi+ft the balance and cause these nation at this le expostulation for aoff his quarry Then he broke into a flood of invective
”Stop that!” he bellowed ”To hell with YOUR lae're goin' accordin'
to our own” An ominous echo arose, and in thehis exalted position, took a step too near the edge of the bar, and fell off into the body of the e Sohed; another took it up; the nervous tension broke, and a man cried: