Page:Looters of the Public Domain.djvu/178

 and that, should he come forward at this particular time as among those who had given me either moral or financial support in any way, the result would be obvious.

Mr. Kribs also shrugged his shoulders and declined to go on my bond, as did Jones likewise, both of them claiming that they were dealing in timber lands, were consequently dependent upon future operations along that line, as in the past, for a livelihood, and that, under the circumstances, it would be eminently out of place for them to stake their prospects upon the notoriety of such an undertaking. These men. so my brother informed me, were quite willing to associate with me and to be known as my friends in my days of prosperity; in my hour of adversity, however, they were not to be reckoned on as among the faithful.

I was completely overcome, for the time being, when my brother related his experience with the trio of presumed friends, and had it not been that it was through my own brother the news of their perfidy had been conveyed to me, I should not have believed it. Coming from any other source I should have given the lie direct to such a statement, for little could I believe that these men would be guilty of willfully and deliberately deserting me at the very moment when I most needed a friend. It was neither what I expected or deserved, because I had stood by them through thick and thin, but now that my lips had drained the cup of bitterness to the dregs, I became resigned, though even then I did not despair.

The hour was now late, and not feeling disposed to strive further to secure bondsmen on that day, I retired to my room at the hotel, accompanied, as on the evening previous, by Deputy Marshal Proebstel, who accorded me every courtesy and consideration. We spent the evening quietly, as may be imagined, as I had much to think about and preferred to be alone.

On the following morning I was visited by a friend—not of the stripe heretofore mentioned—who expressed a desire to become one of my bondsmen. This gave me renewed courage, so after breakfast I decided to call upon Mr. Mays personally, notwithstanding my brother's report, as it was necessary for me to secure one more bondsman in order to obtain my release, and Mr. Mays, I still thought, was in duty bound to supply that man.

I called upon Mays, accompanied by Mr. Proebstel, the latter remaining in the hallway until the close of our interview. Upon entering the office, I found Mays seated at his desk, and after bidding him good morning, addressed him thus: "Mr. Mays, is it a fact that you have declined to assist me in the matter of securing my bond?"

"Puter," he replied, "you know very well that I could not become your bondsman, as the statute prohibits an attorney from doing so."

"Yes, I am aware of that, Mr. Mays," was my answer, "but I have not asked you to go on my bond personally, nor do I expect you to; but I have a right to ask you to call upon one of your many friends, through whom this matter could readily be adjusted. This you could easily do, and besides," I continued, "I already have one bondsman, and require but one more, and surely it is not expecting too much when I say that you should supply this need."

"I would like to help you out," said Mays, "but I don't propose to be dragged into this case if I can help it. You know yourself that they are after me red hot. and if it should become known that I assisted you in the matter of securing bondsmen, it would simply be a case of supplying ammunition to the enemy, and would be used against me at the first opportunity."

"Mr. Mays," I replied, "it is entirely unnecessary for you to become known in the transaction, as you could very easily speak to one of a hundred persons, any one of whom would gladly accommodate you by becoming my surety, and as for you being mixed up, or your identity becoming known, I can see no reason for any such idea. The very thought of such a thing is absurd, and you know it."

Wheeling about in his chair and resuming his writing, Mr. Mays treated me, and the subject presented, with cold indifference. I could see from his very Page 172