It was the red-hotness of the free-and-easys which finally led to their being pulled. Ben and his partner, Col. Adams, were not arrested. This, however, was no fault of the officials. Hogan received a telegram to the effect that a deputy sheriff was coming down on the train to close up his establishment, and he therefore found it convenient to get out of town very suddenly.
Some of his friends fared less fortunately. Ben Savano, Charley Green, Billy Casey, and Doctor Booke, were all arrested and placed under five hundred dollars bonds.
Meantime Ben had made his way to Petroleum Centre. There he called upon some influential political friends—a Senator and Congressman, among others—and obtained a letter of introduction to Judge Nulton.
He happened to meet the judge at the doorway of the court, where he was making inquiries with regard to the free-and-easy arrests.
“The only man we want, now,” observed the judge, just as our hero made his appearance, “is Ben Hogan!”
“Yes,” said Ben, joining in the conversation, “Hogan ought to be hung.”
“Well, I don’t know about that,” returned the judge. “In fact, all that I do know about him is what I have heard others say. He seems to be a pretty desperate character, but it would hardly do to hang a man on hearsay evidence.”
“Well, he’s certainly a hard character,” said Ben, with emphasis.
“Do you know him?” asked the judge.
“Yes,” was the reply. “I know him better than any one else in the world. I happen to be the gentleman myself!”