Anyhow, the sheriff can put you up to the roads, and the best way of going about the job.""I think that would be the best way," Vincent said."We shall be able to see the county map too and to learn all the geography of the place.""You have got your six-shooters with you, I suppose, becanse you are as likely as not to have to use them?""Yes, we have each got a Colt; and as I have had a good deal of practice, it would be awkward for Pearson if he gives me occasion to use it.""After what I hear of the matter," the man said, "I should say your best plan is just to shoot him at sight.It's what would serve him right.You bet there will be no fuss over it.It will save you a lot of trouble anyway."Vincent laughed.
"My advice is good," the man went on earnestly."They are a rough lot down there, and hang together.You will have to do it sudden, whatever you do, or you will get the hull neighborhood up agin you."On reaching Marion Courthouse they sought out the sheriff, produced the warrant signed by the States' authority, and explained the whole circumstances.
"I am ready to aid you in any way I can," the sheriff said when he concluded; "but the question is, where has the fellow got to? You see he may be anywhere in this tract;" and he pointed out a circle on the map of the county that hung against the wall."That is about fifty mile across, and a pretty nasty spot, I can tell you.There are wide swamps on both sides of the creek, and rice grounds and all sorts.There ain't above three or four villages altogether, but there may be two or three hundred little plantations scattered about, some big and some little.We haven't got anything to guide us in the slightest, not a thing, as I can see.""The man who was working under Pearson, when he was with us, told me he had got the notion that he had had to leave on account of some trouble here.Possibly that might afford a clew.""It might do so," the sheriff said."When did he come to you?""I think it was when I was six or seven years old.That would be about twelve or thirteen years ago; but, of course, he may not have come direct to us after leaving here.""We can look anyway," the sheriff said, and, opening a chest, he took out a number of volumes containing the records of his predecessors."Twelve years ago! Well, this is the volume.Now, Captain Wingfield, I have got some other business in hand that will take me a couple of hours.I will leave you out this volume and the one before it and the one after it, and if you like to go through them you may come across the description of some man wanted that agrees with that of the man you are in search of."It took Vincent two hours and a half to go through the volume, but he met with no description answering to that of Pearson.
"I will go through the first six months of the next year," he said to himself, taking up that volume, "and the last six months of the year before."The second volume yielded no better result, and he then turned back to the first of the three books.Beginning in July, he read steadily on until he came to December.Scarcely had he begun the record of that month than he uttered an exclamation of satisfaction.
"December 2nd.-Information laid against gang at Porter's Station, near Lynch's Creek.Charged with several robberies and murders in different parts of the county.Long been suspected of having stills in the swamps.Gang consists of four besides Porter himself.
Names of gang, Jack Haverley, Jim Corben, and John and James Porter.Ordered out posse to start to-morrow"December 5th.- Returned from Porter's Stakon.Surprised the gang.They resisted.Ilaverley, Carbon, and James Porter shot.
John Porter escaped, and took to swamp.Four of posse wounded;one, William Hannay, killed.Circulated description of John Porter through the county.Tall and lean; when fifteen years old shot a man in a brawl, and went north.Has been absent thirteen years.
Assumed the appearance of a northern man and speaks with Yankee twang.Father was absent at the time of attsck.Captured three hours after.Declares he knows nothing about doings of the gang.Haverley and Corben were friends of his sons.Came and went when they liked.Will be tried on the 15th."On the 16th there was another entry:
"William Porter sentenced to three years' imprisonment for giving shelter to gang of robbers.Evidence wanting to show he took any actual part in their crimes."The sheriff had been in and out several times during the five hours that Vincent's search had taken up.When he returned again Vincent pointed out the entry he had found.
"I should not be at all surprised if that's our man," the sheriff said.
