Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-11-07

explain the untoward circumstance,
there came a rush of hurrying footsteps
without, and the sound of excited voices
The next minute they heard an eager.
angry challenge, and Perry recognized
the voice of the overseer or manager
whom he had met in the morning.
what do you fellows want here?-
was his brusque and loud inquiry as he
sprang from the piazza and stood con-
fronting the sergeant, who was quietly
seated in the 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 the wake of their leader and stood
now a menacing group looking up at the
silent troopers.
II there be one thing on earth that
will stir an lrishman's soul to its Utmost
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 a 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 blowedl What harm could
you do, I'd like TO know? If the mas
terll only say the word, we'd break your
heads in u minute"
"Quiet, now, Dick" interposed the
oyerseer; but the other hands growled
approval, and Perry's 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 sprang instantly
in front of him.
Back to your horse, sir! Back, in
stantly" for the sergeant 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 a NUT
tered word Of encouragement. Slowly.
wrathfully, reluctantly, the soldier
obeyed, once turning furiously back 40
1eering taunts were hurled at him from
among the ranchers, unrebuked by their
manager Now move of with your
men TO the gate. Leave my horse, and
wait for me there. Cor added the young
officer. sternly; aud, with bitter NORTH
cation at heart and a 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 fiarcely upon the younger Eng
hshman. 81 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 your
stars that discipline prevailed with my
people. though you have nothing OF the
kind here"
Your men have cut down our fences.
by your order, presume, " said the man.
ager, coolly, land it's lucky for them
they got out of the way when they did
We have a right to protect our property
and eject intruders, and -
II 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 |
inhospitable gang you are, that he might |
have been carried in here for treatment;
there was no other place. Your pro
prletor 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 a single trooper
would have had at their hands Now ]
ask you, Do you know or have you heard
OF cavalry soldier being seen around
here during the day?'
Perry was standing holding his horse
by the curb as he spoke, facing the par
lor windows and confronting the angry
group Of ranchmen. Within. though |
nearer the window than he had left him.
was the bent form of the owner OF Dun
raven, leaning on his cane and apparent
ly impatiently striving to make himself |
heard as he came forward. Before the !
manager could answer, he was compel |
led TO turn about and rebuke his men.
two OF whom were especially truculent |
and menacing. Finally be spoke:
~ have heard nothing, but / tell Won
frankly that If any Of your men have
been proving around here it's more than
probable some one has got hurt. Has
there been any trouble today, menu ne
asked.
by God. there Will be if this ranch
isn't cleared In five minutes" was the
only answer.
Don make an ass Of yourself, Hoke,"
growled the manager. They are going
quick enough"
81 am going" said Perry, swinging
lightly into saddle: land mind you this.
sir; 60 with well warranted suspicion
that some Of these bullies OF yours have
been responsible for the non-appearance
OF my stable sergeant. II he is not found
this night you may confidently look for
another visit. l say that to you also.
Mr.. Maitland, and you owe it to our for.
bearance that there has been no blood
shed here tonight"
Old Maitland's tremulous tones were
heard but second in reply when he was
interrupted by a coarse voice from the
,rowd OF ranchmen, by this time in
,reased 70 nearly dozen men. Some
u them were gathering about Perry as
10 sat in the saddle, and an applauding
'cho followed the loud interruption:
Give the swell a lift, Tummy: twill
each him better manners"
Almost instantly Perry felt his right
DOT grasped and q powerful form was
'ending at the stirrup. He had heard
Il the trick before. Many a time has
he London cad endorsed the English
rooper, taken unawares, by hurting him
With sudden lift from below. But Perry
was quick and active as a cat Seat and
'addle, too. were in his favor He sim
ply threw his weight on the left foot and
his bride hand upon the pommel. let the
tight leg swing over the horses back un.
II released from the brawny hand, then
PACK II came as he settled again in the
'addie, his powerful thighs gripping like
yisei at the same instant, and before