Charles E. Van Loan

“ His pale gray eyes were fixed on the stars, and his heavy shoulders were thrown back as if freed from a burden.
"Go to sleep, John," said the captain kindly.
"Aye!" said Buckshot John. "I will sleep to-night!"
He lifted the latch and entered the dimly lighted room where his fellow prisoners were preparing for bed. He was smiling when he stepped into the rays from the lanterns.
"What's the matter, John?" asked one of the older men. "You been out there a prayin' again?"
"No, Tom," said Moran, and at the sound of his voice every man in the room peered at him through the shadows. ”

“ It's asking a lot, but—"
"But you know nothing of me," urged Gilmore. "I might—"
"There's been them here to-night that do know you!" said the convict earnestly. "You're good enough for me. Bad Jake told me I had to send the right man, and that's you!"
The doctor closed his eyes for several seconds, and Buckshot John bowed his head reverently. When he looked up again, the Great Gilmore's face was radiant with an expression of high resolve.
"It is a heavy task, my friend," he said gently. "Yet I am not sure that I do not owe it to humanity—owe it to you. All men are brothers." ”

“ You'd help a man to square himself and go clean when his time comes, wouldn't you?"
There was a note of piteous entreaty in his voice. The Great Gilmore returned that lead with admirable tact and compassion. He spoke of the broad creed of the brotherhood of man—it was a portion of one of his old lectures, and very beautifully worded. Buckshot John listened to those soul-compelling sentiments with glistening eyes.
"I know you're on the level!" he said huskily. "They didn't need to tell me! I've seen things to-night, aye, and I've heard 'em too! ”