Hale faced the old man quietly--eye to eye.
"It's no use, Judd," he said, "you'd better let the law take its
course." The old man was scornful.
"Thar's never been a Tolliver convicted of killin' nobody, much
less hung--an' thar ain't goin' to be."
"I'm glad you warned me," said Hale still quietly, "though it
wasn't necessary. But if he's convicted, he'll hang."
The giant's face worked in convulsive helplessness and he turned
away.
"You hold the cyards now, but my deal is comin'."
"All right, Judd--you're getting a square one from me."
Back rode the Tollivers and Devil Judd never opened his lips again
until he was at home in Lonesome Cove. June was sitting on the
porch when he walked heavy-headed through the gate.
"They've ketched Rufe," he said, and after a moment he added
gruffly:
"Thar's goin' to be sure enough trouble now. The Falins'll think
all them police fellers air on their side now. This ain't no place
fer you--you must git away."
June shook her head and her eyes turned to the flowers at the edge
of the garden:
"I'm not goin' away, Dad," she said.
XXVI
Back to the passing of Boone and the landing of Columbus no man,
in that region, had ever been hanged.
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