Port O' Gold Part 31

Little Annie wanted a toy piano, Joe some crayons for his work at school.

Remembering this, King seized a desk pad, wrote on it some words of memoranda. Then he straightway forgot Casey in the detail of work.

When the Bulletin was off the press, the pad, with its written inscription, caught his eye and he shoved it into a side pocket.

"Well, I'm going home," he said to Nesbitt. "Must buy a few things for the children."

Nesbitt looked up half absently from his writing. "Afternoon," he greeted. "Better take your derringer. Don't know what might happen."

King shrugged himself into the talma cape, which he usually wore on the streets. It is doubtful if he heard Nesbitt's warning. With a nod to Gerberding he sauntered slowly out, enjoying the mellow spring sunshine, filtering now and then through wisps of fog. As he turned into Montgomery street he almost collided with Benito Windham, who, brief case under arm, was striding rapidly southward. They exchanged a cordial greeting. Benito looked after the tall courtly figure crossing Montgomery street diagonally toward a big express wagon. Benito thought he could discern a quick nervous movement back of it. A man stepped out, directly across King's path.

He was James P. Casey, tremendously excited. His right hand shook violently. His hat was on one side of his head; he was apparently intoxicated. King did not notice him until they were almost abreast.

Casey's arm was outstretched, pointed at King's breast. "Draw and defend yourself," he said loudly. He shut his eyes and a little puff of smoke seemed to spring from the ends of his fingers, followed in the fraction of a second by a sharp report.

Benito ran with all his might toward the men. He did not think that King was. .h.i.t, for the editor turned toward the Pacific Express office. On the threshold he stumbled. A clerk ran out and caught the tall figure as it collapsed.

Benito looked about for King's a.s.sailant. He saw a group of men on Washington street, but was unable to distinguish Casey among them, though McGowan's lanky form was visible.

At Benito's feet lay a pocket-memorandum marked with a splash of red.

The young man picked it up and read:

"Piano for Annie.

"Crayons for Joe.

"Candy--"

A man with a medicine case shouldered his way in. He was Dr. Hammond.

"Get a basin," he ordered, "some warm water." He unb.u.t.toned the wounded man's coat, looking grave as he saw the spreading red stain on his shirt.

"Will he get well, doctor?" shouted a dozen voices.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "Draw and defend yourself," he said loudly. He shut his eyes and a little puff of smoke seemed to spring from the end of his fingers, followed ... by a sharp report.]

"Can't tell ... 'fraid not," Hammond answered, and a sympathetic silence followed his announcement.

Someone cried: "Where's Casey?"

Word came that Casey was in jail. "He gave himself up," a man said.

Presently there was a sound of carriage wheels. A white-faced woman made her way to the express office. The crowd stood with bared heads as it opened a way for her pa.s.sage. The woman was Mrs. King. They heard her sobbing.

Gerberding and Nesbitt came and made their exit after a short stay.

Tears ran down Nesbitt's cheeks. "I told him so," they heard him muttering, "I told him so.... He wouldn't listen.... Didn't take his pistol."

Last of all came William Coleman, lips pressed tightly together, eyes hard. He remained only a few moments. Benito hailed him as he emerged from the express office.

"Any chance of recovery?"

"Very little." The tone was grim.

"I hate to think of what may happen if he dies?" Windham commented.

"h.e.l.l will break loose," Coleman stated with conviction. "Better come along, Benito. I'm going to find Ike Bluxome. It's time we prepared."

CHAPTER XLII

THE COMMITTEE ORGANIZES

When Benito rode up Montgomery street next morning he saw a litter being carried out of the Pacific Express Office. Beside it, were Mrs. King, Dr. Hammond and John Sime. They walked very slowly and the crowd fell back on either side as the litter-bearers progressed.

Benito's heart stood still a moment. "Is he--?" the question formed reluctantly upon his lips. But David Broderick, standing by, rea.s.sured him.

"No, not dead. Thank Heaven! They're taking him to more comfortable quarters. A room in the Montgomery Block. They've postponed the operation on the artery; as a last resort."

"Dave," said Windham, seriously, "do you suppose you'll be blamed for this?"

"Good G.o.d, man! No," returned the other. "Not even Gwin would dare to lay this at my door. There's no politics in it. At least none of mine."

"Yet Casey was one of your men. They'll say that."

"Let them," answered Broderick angrily. "I've no more to do with it than you--nor Coleman, who, they tell me, is forming another Vigilance Committee."

"Yes," said Windham. "They're to meet at the old Know Nothing Hall on Sacramento street. I'm going there now."

"Well I'm bound for a talk with Will Sherman; he's been appointed head of the militia. Just in time I should say. He'll be needed before order is restored."

They shook hands. Benito looked after his friend uneasily. Broderick was on the wrong side, the young man thought; was taking an unwise tack.

But no one could argue with Broderick ... unless it were Alice. They must have Dave to dinner again.

The street in front of Know Nothing Hall, a long two-story brick building was already crowded. One by one men were admitted--or rejected.

Now and then a man would fall out of the line muttering wrathfully.

"They're taking mighty good care not to let any of Scannell's friends get in," a man behind Benito confided. "The Sheriff's sent a dozen 'plants' this morning but Bluxome weeds them out unfailingly."

After a time Benito found himself at the wicket, gazing into Isaac Bluxome's shrewd eyes. He was pa.s.sed immediately with a smile of welcome and found himself in a large room of the "lodge" variety. There was a desk behind which sat William Coleman and Charles Doane.

About one hundred men moved about talking animatedly in groups and among these Benito noted many of his fellows of the '51 committee.

Presently Coleman spoke.

"Gentlemen, it has been decided to reorganize the Vigilance Committee.

Mr. Bluxome and I have a.s.sumed the initiative, without any idea of placing ourselves at the head of the organization. Neither of us desire more than a chance to serve--in whatever capacity you may determine. We have prepared a form of oath, which I suggest shall be signed by each of us with his name and the number of his enrollment. Afterward he shall be known by that number only."