Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-11-02

hands, Old Maitland STOOD there glarlnS
at the young officer. Before Perry could
speak again, however, and more fully
explain the untoward circumstance,
there came rush Of hurrying footsteps
without, and tho sound of excited voices.
Tho next minute they heard an eager,
angry challenge, and Perry recognized
tho voice of the overseer or manager
whom he had met in the morning.
"What do you fellows want heref"
was his brusque and loud inquiry as he
sprang from the piazza and stood con-
fronting the sergeant, who was quietly
seated in tho saddle, and the question
was promptly echoed by three or four
burly men who, in shirt sleeves and
various styles Of undress, came tumbling
In tho wake Of their leader and stood
now menacing group looking up at the
silent troopers.
If there be one thing on earth that
will stir an lrishmans soul to its inmost
depths and kindle to instant flame the
latent heat Of his pugnacity, it is just
such an inquiry In the readily recog-
nized accent of the hated "Sassenach."
Perry recognized the danger in flash,
and, springing through the open case
ment, interposed between the hostile
parties.
"Not word, Sergt. Leary. Here, Mr..
Manager, these men simply obeyed or
ders, and am responsible for any mis-
take. No harm was intended"--
Harm broke in one of the ranch
men, with demonstratively loud laugh.
Harm be blowed! What harm could
| you do, I'd like to know? II the mas
ter'll only say the word, we'd break your
| heads in minute"
"Quiet. now, Dick!" interposed the
overseer; but the other hands growled
approval, and Perrys eyes flashed with
anger at the insult. What reply he
might have made was checked by the
sight of Sergt. Leary throwing himself
from the saddle and tossing his reins to
| one of the men. He knew well enough
what that meant, and sprars instantly
in front of him.
Back to your horse, sir! Back, in
stantlyr for the sergeant's face was fierce
with rage. "Mount, say!" added the
lieutenant, as the sergeant still hesitated,
and even the sense of discipline could not
keep the mounted troopers from NUT
tered word Of encouragement Slowly,
wrathfully, reluctantly, the soldier
obeyed, once turning furiously back as
jeerng taunts were hurled at him from
among the ranchers, unrebuked by their
manager. "Now move oil with your
men to the gate. Leave my horse, and
wait for me there. Col" added the young
officer, sternly; and, with bitter mortiti-
cation at heart and curse stified on his
quivering lips, the Irishman turned his
horses head away and slowly walked him
in the indicated direction.
Nov, Mr.. Manager" said Perry,
turning iiercely upon tine younger Eng
lshman, Il have done my best To re-
strain my men; do YOU look out for
yours You have allowed them to insult
me and mine, and you may thank youi
stars that discipline prevailed with my
people, though you have nothing of the
kind here"
"Gour men have cut down our fences,
by your order, presume" said the man
ager, coolly, 'and it's lucky for them
they got out of the way when they did.
We have right To protect our property
and eject intruders, and
81 came here to inquire for missing
mana right even an Englishman can
not deny us on these prairies. We had
excellent reason to believe him injured,
and thought, not knowing you for the
lnhospltablo gang you are, that he might
have ben carried in here for treatment;
there was no other place. Your pro-
prietor tells me he is not here. After
what I've seen of your people, have
reason to be still more anxious about
him. Scant mercy single trooper
Sould have had at their hands. Now
ask you, Do you know or have you heard