He stood dumbfounded at the sight of it, and
then raised his hand, and shouted in a voice which gathered the others
swiftly around him. They cursed deeply with astonishment, for what
they saw was the marshal's badge of Tex Calder. The number on it was
known throughout the mountain-desert, and seeing it, the worst of
Dan's enemies stammered, gaped, and could not speak. There were more
impartial men who could. In five minutes the trial of Whistling Dan
was under way. The jury was every cowpuncher present. The judge was
public opinion. It was a grey-haired man who finally leaped upon the
bar and summed up all opinion in a brief statement.
"Whatever Whistlin' Dan has done before," he said, "this day he's done
a man-sized job in a man's way. Morris, before he died, said enough to
clear up most of this lad's past, particular about the letter from Jim
Silent that talked of a money bribe. Morris didn't have a chance to
swear to what he said, but a dying man speaks truth. Lee Haines had
cleared up most of the rest. We can't hold agin Dan what he done in
breakin' jail with Haines. Dan Barry was a marshal. He captured Haines
and then let the outlaw go. He had a right to do what he wanted as
long as he finally got Haines back.
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