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"Why?" asked Bridge

The youth flushed; but did not reply, for there cas of the ht The two heard the chugging of s of new arrivals The reinforce of the cell door "The bunch from Oakdale has cos 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 e turned toward the boy "Tell the truth," he said "Tell this man"

The youth shook his head "I have killed no one," said he "That is the truth Neither have you; but if they are going to murder you they can murder me too, for you stuck toto stick to you, and there is some excuse for me because I have a reason--the best reason in the world"

"What is it?" asked Bridge

The Oskaloosa Kid shook his head, and onceof his shoulders, "it's up to you guys If you want to hang, why hang and be damned We'll do the best we can 'cause it's our duty to protect you; but I guess at that hangin's too good fer you, an' we ain't a-goin' to get shot keepin' you froettin' it"

"Thanks," said Bridge

The uproar in front of the jail had risen in volume until it was difficult for those within toThe Kid sat upon his bench and buried his face in his hands Bridge rolled another smoke The sound of a shot came from the front rooe fro upon the jail door Ara of wood The frail structure quivered beneath the onslaught

The prisoners could hear the voices of the guards and the jailer raised in an atteof many feet upon the floor of the outer room