TOM'S STRATEGY 



orders out to the letter. We've heard complaints 

 enough from people along the road to satisfy the 

 captain that these rescals are entitled to no mercy, 

 an' you bet they'll get none from him." 



"But, sergeant," inquired Jack, "what will we 

 do with this feller? Hang him in the mornin'?" 



"No; unless he should try to get away, accord- 

 ing to my orders, we'll have to keep him till the 

 company gits here an' then turn him over to the 

 captain. It'll only delay his hanging a little while, 

 for the captain'll fix him quick enough. But ef 

 he should accidentally get loose an' run, why, 

 shoot him, of course." 



"Well, I'm sorry," said Jack, "that we can't 

 hang him ourselves as soon as daylight comes, fer 

 I promised him that, an' I always like to make my 

 words good." 



"Now," continued Tom, "I want you two men 

 to keep a close watch of him an' give him no 

 chance to give us the slip, for that'd spoil all our 

 plans." 



"We'll see that he don't get away." 



"Well, as I've got to meet the captain an' com- 

 pany over at the store a little after midnight, I'll 

 lie down an* try to git a little sleep, an' you an' 

 Jack'll have to divide the time between you, 

 guardin' the prisoner, for, of course, I'll not be 

 able to get back here till some time after daylight, 

 an' when I come it'll be with the company. I 

 guess," added Tom after a pause, "I'd better ride 



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