ducked low and ran to the rear
door, swinging it open. Braman's body bothered him; he could not leave it
there, knowing the building would soon be in flames. He dragged the body
outside, to a point several feet distant from the building, dropping it at
last and standing erect for the first time to fill his lungs and look
about him. Looking back as he ran down the tracks toward the shed where he
had left Nigger, he saw shadowy forms of men running around the
courthouse, which was now dully illuminated, the light from within dancing
fitfully through the window shades. Flaming streaks rent the night from
various points--thinking him still in the building the deputies were
shooting through the windows. Manti, rudely awakened, was pouring its
population through its doors in streams. Shouts, hoarse, inquisitive,
drifted to Trevison's ears. Lights blazed up, flickering from windows like
giant fireflies. Doors slammed, dogs were barking, men were running.
Trevison laughed vibrantly as he ran. But his lips closed tightly when he
saw two or three shadowy figures darting toward him, coming from various
directions--one from across the street; another coming straight down the
railroad track, still another advancing from his right. He bowed his head
and essayed to pass the first figure. It reached out a hand and grasped
his shoulder, arresting his flight.

"What's up?"

"Let go, you damned fool!"

The man still clung to him. Trevison wrenched himself free and struck,
viciously. The man dropped with a startled cry. Another figure was upon
Trevison. He wanted no more trouble at that minute.

"Hell to pay!" he panted as the second man loomed close to him in the
darkness; "Trevison's in the courthouse!"

He heard the other gasp; saw him lunge forward. He struck again, bitterly,
and the man went to his knees. He was up again instantly, as Trevison fled
into the darkness, crying resonantly:

"This way, boys--here he is!"

"Corrigan!" breathed Trevison. He ducked as a flame-spurt split the night;
reaching a corner of the shed where he had left his horse as a succession
of reports rattled behind him. Corrigan was firing at him. He dared not
use his own pistol, lest its flash reveal his whereabouts, and he knew he
would have no chance against the odds that were against him. Nor was he
intent on murder. He flung himself into the saddle, and for the first time
since he had come into Trevison's possession Nigger knew the bite of spurs
e