American library books ยป Fiction ยป Walter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐Ÿ“•

Read book online ยซWalter Sherwood's Probation by Jr. Horatio Alger (good romance books to read txt) ๐Ÿ“•ยป.   Author   -   Jr. Horatio Alger



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me.โ€

โ€œI wish you could; I hate to be left in such a place.โ€

โ€œCheer up, Mr. Sherwood. It won't be for long, I predict. You may rest assured of my best efforts in your behalf. I will at once telegraph for Colonel Owen.โ€

The evening glided wearily away. Walter threw himself on his pallet and was nearly asleep when a confused noise was heard outside, and heavy blows were rained upon the outer door.

โ€œWhat does it mean?โ€ asked Walter, bewildered.

He listened intently, and there came to his ears a shout which made him turn pale with terror.





CHAPTER XXXII AN AWFUL MOMENT

โ€œBring out the hoss thief! Lynch him! Lynch him!โ€

โ€œWhat's up?โ€ asked the tramp drowsily, opening his eyes.

โ€œBring out the hoss thief!โ€ cried a dozen rough voices, as the battering at the door was repeated.

โ€œThey want you, young feller!โ€ he continued, as he caught the meaning of the cry.

โ€œWhat shall we do?โ€ asked Walter helplessly.

โ€œThey don't want me,โ€ returned the tramp complacently. โ€œIt's you they want!โ€

โ€œYou will stand by me?โ€ implored Walter, eager for any help.

โ€œWon't do no good! There's a crowd of them. You're in a bad box, young feller!โ€

โ€œHave you got a pistol?โ€

โ€œNo.โ€

Then it flashed upon Walter that he still had the revolver which belonged to Dick Ranney.

โ€œI will sell my life dearly!โ€ thought Walter, โ€œThey shan't kill me without some resistance.โ€

โ€œOpen the door, or it'll be wuss for ye!โ€ cried a rough voice.

The door was strong, but it did not long withstand the fierce attacks made upon it. Walter, by the light that came in through a crevice, saw it sway and gradually yield to the impetuous attacks of the mob.

โ€œHere's the hoss thief!โ€ exclaimed the leader, throwing the light into the cell occupied by the inebriate.

The tramp was alarmed and completely sobered by the terrible suggestion.

โ€œI ain't the man!โ€ he said. โ€œIt's that young feller yonder.โ€

The man with the lantern turned in the direction of the other cell.

โ€œHe's only a kid!โ€ he said doubtfully.

โ€œAll the same, he's the hoss thief!โ€ said the tramp earnestly.

โ€œIs he telling the truth?โ€ asked the leader, turning to the men who were just behind him.

โ€œHe looks most like the hoss thief!โ€ said Dan Muggins. โ€œThe other's a milk-and-water chap, just out of boardin'-school.โ€

โ€œYou're right! Smash in the cage!โ€





CHAPTER XXXIII WALTER SAVES ANOTHER'S LIFE

Meanwhile the feelings of Walter were hard to describe. He saw that perhaps his only chance of life lay in remaining quiet and letting the mistake remain uncorrected.

On the other hand, the poor wretch was as much entitled to life as he.

โ€œHe's the hoss thief!โ€ shrieked the tramp. โ€œAsk him if he isn't.โ€

The leader, who had him by the collar, paused, and the words of the captive seemed to make some impression on him.

โ€œWe don't want to make no mistake,โ€ he said. โ€œMebbe we might ask him.โ€

โ€œYou hear what this man says?โ€

โ€œYes,โ€ answered Walter, in husky accents.

โ€œIs it true? Are you the hoss thief?โ€

โ€œNo!โ€

And the poor tramp would have been dragged away, but Walter, his face pale, but resolute, held up his hand to secure attention.

โ€œListen!โ€ he said. โ€œI am not a horse thief, but I was put here charged with stealing the horse of Colonel Owen.โ€

โ€œJust as I said, gentlemen,โ€ chimed in the inebriate.

โ€œThen we've got the wrong one!โ€ said the leader. โ€œHere, you can go!โ€

โ€œWe must have you!โ€ went on the leader, approaching Walter's cell.

โ€œWhat do you want to do with me?โ€ asked Walter, with sinking heart.

โ€œString you up! That's the way we serve hoss thieves!โ€

โ€œGentlemen!โ€ said Walter, โ€œyou are making a terrible mistake.

โ€œDidn't you say just now you was the thief?โ€

โ€œNo; I said I was put in here charged with horse-stealing.โ€

An assault was made on the door of his cell, and within three minutes Walter was dragged out.

He began to speak, but was roughly ordered to shut up.

The line of march was resumed, and a quarter of a mile distant they passed through a gate and began the ascent of a hill, at the summit of which was a grove of tall trees. Walter shuddered and his heart sank within him, for he understood only too well what fate was in store for him.





CHAPTER XXXIV A TERRIBLE ORDEAL

At the summit of the hill Walter's captors came to a halt.

โ€œYoung man,โ€ said the leader sternly, โ€œyour hours are numbered. Have you anything to say?โ€

โ€œI have a good deal to say,โ€ answered Walter, finding his voice and speaking indignantly. โ€œEven if I were guilty, which I am not, you have no right to condemn me to death untried.โ€

One of the masked men, who had hitherto stood in the background, came forward, and in clear, ringing accents spoke:

โ€œThe lad says right. He has not been proved guilty, and I for one believe him innocent.โ€

โ€œI thank God,โ€ said Walter, โ€œthat there is one among you whose heart is not wholly hardened. I stand here a boyโ€”barely eighteen years old.

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