“These are rather tight papers—ain’t they, boys?” said Carter. “Give me something to smoke and tell me the news.” On being told the names of those who had been executed, he quietly remarked, “That’s all right; not an innocent man hung yet.” He and Skinner were conducted down to Higgins’s store, and their examination immediately commenced. Three hours were occupied in the investigation, during which Nelly came down, with the intention of interfering in Skinner’s behalf. She was sent home under guard; and her escort, on searching her premises, found Johnny Cooper prostrated by three pistol shots, received in a quarrel with Carter the previous day, but for which it had been the intention of Carter and Cooper to leave for Kootenai. The baggage and provisions they had procured for the journey, worth a hundred and thirty dollars, together with the pack-animal, were taken for the use of the expedition, and were paid for by M. W. Tipton, whom Carter and Cooper had persuaded to become their surety for the amount. During the trial of Carter, he confessed his complicity as accessory, both before and after the fact, to the murder of Tiebalt. It was proven also that he was concerned in the coach robbery. Skinner made no confession, nor was it necessary, as his criminal character and acts were susceptible of abundant proof. Cooper was tried separately. He was one of the lieutenants of the band. A Vigilante by the name of President testified to Cooper’s having murdered a man in Idaho, for which he was arrested by the people. While being conducted to the place of trial, he broke from his captors, leaped with a bound upon a horse standing near, and, amid a hundred shots, escaped uninjured, and came to Montana. On the evening of the day these trials were in progress, a detachment of eight men left Hell Gate in pursuit of Bob Zachary, whom they found seated in bed, in the cabin of Hon. Barney O’Keefe, known throughout Bitter Root Valley as “the Baron.” One of the party, on entering, pushed him over, upon his back, taking from him, at the same time, his pistol and knife. While on their return with him to Hell Gate, O’Keefe unintentionally mentioned that a stranger was stopping at Van Dorn’s cabin, in the Bitter Root Valley. A company of three Vigilantes, suspecting by the description given that he was none other than George Shears, another of the band, started at once in pursuit. Riding up in front of the cabin, Thomas Pitt, their leader, inquired of the man who met them at the door, if George Shears was in. “Yes,” said Van Dorn. “He is in the inner room.” “Any objection to our entering?” inquired Pitt. [Illustration: A VIGILANTE EXECUTION ]