Everett T. Tomlinson

“ For a moment the young officer stared at the cowboy, and then without replying he pressed forward and bent low over the prostrate form of the man on the ground whom with a start Robert perceived to be Jacob himself. The cowboys, then, had indeed carried out their threat, and the landlord had suffered at their hands as Claudius Brown had promised. The sun was low in the western sky, but the blazing barn and still burning house threw a light all about the place that made everything distinct and plain. ”

“ At least they would be protectors against the brutality of the unscrupulous gang of which Claudius Brown was the leader, and if he must fail on his errand, Robert was convinced that his failure would be less bitter if he was taken by the redcoats rather than left in the power of the merciless gang of cowboys. Besides, it was evident that Claudius Brown himself was in some fear of the young officer, who plainly knew him, and there was hope also in that fact. But even these things were for the moment ignored as he leaned forward eager to learn how it fared with Jacob Gunning. ”

“ The brutality, cruelty, and anger that were stamped there were only too apparent, and Robert was but too well assured that he would not easily escape from the clutches of this man. It was still impossible, however, for him to believe that even such a villain as Brown certainly was would carry out his threat. It was true the blazing ruins of Jacob's tavern afforded ample evidence that he was capable of dastardly work, but the threat he was now making to Robert seemed to be beyond the limits of even such villainy as his. ”