What could I do? Every word I said to make things
better was taken as treason, same as it was last night. I can't
get away; for all I have in the world is in my store. If I leave
the society, I know well that it means murder to me, and God
knows what to my wife and children. Oh, man, it is
awful--awful!" He put his hands to his face, and his body shook
with convulsive sobs.
McMurdo shrugged his shoulders. "You were too soft for the job,"
said he. "You are the wrong sort for such work."
"I had a conscience and a religion; but they made me a criminal
among them. I was chosen for a job. If I backed down I knew
well what would come to me. Maybe I'm a coward. Maybe it's the
thought of my poor little woman and the children that makes me
one. Anyhow I went. I guess it will haunt me forever.
"It was a lonely house, twenty miles from here, over the range
yonder. I was told off for the door, same as you were last
night. They could not trust me with the job. The others went
in. When they came out their hands were crimson to the wrists.
As we turned away a child was screaming out of the house behind
us.
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