Max Brand by The Rangeland Avenger Page A

thing said," declared Sinclair. "All I mean is, that
you and me and the rest of us run a trial for ourselves. Let's get in
the evidence and hear the witness and make out the case. If we decide
they ain't enough agin' Gaspar to hang him, then let him go. If we
decide to stretch him up, we'll feel a pile better about it and nearer
to the truth."
    He went on steadily in spite of the groans of disapproval on every
side. "Why, this is all laid out nacheral for a courtroom. That there
stump is for the judge, and the black rock yonder is where the prisoner
sits. That there nacheral bench of grass is where the jury sits. Gents,
could anything be handier for a trial than this layout?"
    To the theory of the thing they had been entirely unresponsive, but to
the chance to play a game, and a new game, they responded instantly.
    "Besides," said Judge Lodge, "I'll act as the judge. I know something
about the law."
    "No, you won't," declared Riley. "I thought up this little party, and
I'm going to run it." Then he stepped to the stump and sat down on it.

8
*
    Denver Jim was already heartily in the spirit of the thing.
    "Sit down on that black rock, Jig," he said, taking Gaspar to the
designated stone as he spoke, and removing the noose from the latter's
neck. "Black is a sign you're going to swing in the end. Jest a
triflin' postponement, that's all."
    Riley placated the judge with his first appointment. "Judge Lodge," he
said, "you know a pile about these here things. I appoint you clerk.
It's your duty to take out that little notebook you got in your vest
pocket and write down a note for the important things that's said.
Savvy?"
    "Right," replied Lodge, entirely won over, and he settled himself on
the grass, with the notebook on his knee and a stub of a pencil poised
over it.
    "Larsen, you're sergeant-at-arms."
    "How d'you mean that, Sinclair?"
    "That's what they call them that keeps order; I disremember where I
heard it. Larsen, if anybody starts raising a rumpus, it's up to you to
shut 'em up."
    "I'll sure do it," declared Larsen. "You can sure leave that to me,
judge." He hoisted his gun belt around so that the gun butt hung more
forward and readier to his hand.
    "Denver, you're the jailer. You see the prisoner don't get away. Keep
an eye on him, you see?"
    "Easy, judge," replied Denver. "I can do it with one hand."
    "Montana, you keep the door."
    "What d'you mean—door, judge?"
    "Ain't you got no imagination whatever?" demanded Sinclair. "You keep
the door. When I holler for a witness you go and get 'em. And
Sandersen, you're the hangman. Take charge of that rope!"
    "That ain't such an agreeable job, your honor."
    "Neither is mine. Go ahead."
    Sandersen, glowering, gathered up the rope and draped it over his arm.
    "Buck Mason, you're the jury. Sit down over there on your bench, will
you? This here court being kind of shorthanded, you got to do twelve
men's work. If it's too much for you, the rest of us will help out."
    "Your honor," declared Buck, much impressed, "I'll sure do my best."
    "The jury's job," explained Sandersen, "is to listen to everything and
not say nothing, but think all the time. You'll do your talking in one
little bunch when you say guilty or not guilty. Now we're ready to
start. Gaspar, stand up!"
    Denver Jim officiously dragged the schoolteacher to his feet.
    "What's your name?"
    "Name?" asked the bewildered Gaspar. "Why, everybody knows my name!"
    "Don't make any difference," announced Sinclair. "This is going to be a
strictly regular hanging with no frills left marabout's your name?"
    "John Irving Gaspar."
    "Called Jig for short, and sometimes Cold Feet," put in the clerk.
    Sinclair cleared his throat. "John Irving Gaspar, alias Jig, alias Cold
Feet, d'you know what we got agin' you? Know what you're charged with?"
    "With—with an absurd thing, sir."
    "Murder!" said Sinclair solemnly. "Murder, Jig! What d'you say, guilty
or not guilty! Most generally, you'd say not guilty."
    "Not guilty—absolutely not