The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-08-17


ance as the weight and bulk of those il
rear can offer, and that is but moment
airy. The sight of those cleaning gat
ling barrels, the stern, brief orders ant
the rapid, confident advance combine
to overcome all idea of resistance. On
both sides, at the head of the train, the
huge crowd, half laughing, half suffo.
eating, is heaved back upon itself anC
sent like great human wave rolling
up to the iron lattice at the Office end
Meantime, without an instant's delay
the battalion springs out from the cars,
forms ranks on the north platform,
counts tours, and then. arms at right
shoulder, away it goes with swinging,
steady tramp around the rear of the
train, across the parallel rows of rails,
and in another moment, greeted by tre-
mendous cheers from the occupants OF
long lines and high tiers of stores, offices,
business blocks, the grimy, dusty, war
worn campaigners come striding down
the crowded street. Heavens, how
the people shout! Staid old burghers,
portly business men, trot painting along
side, waving their hats and cheering
themselves hoarse. "Them fellers
hasn't no bouquets in their guns, " is the
way street gamin expresses it.
whittier are they going?" "What
have they first to do?" is the cry. Po-
lice officials ride now with the captain
temporarily in command; carriage
has whisked the colonel over to head
quarters, but haste haste! is the word.
On they go, silent, grim, with the al
kali dust of the North Platte crossing
still coating their rusty garb. A great
swing bridge looms ahead; a dozen po-
lice deploy ON either side and check the
attending crowd. Over they so at
route step, and then, turning to the
right, tramp on down roughly paved
street, growing dim and DINNER every
minute with sitting smoke. Presently
they are crossing snakelike lines of
hose, gashed and useless; passing fire
apparatus standing unhitched and neg
lected; passing firemen exhausted and
listless. Then occasional squads of
scowling men give way before their
steady tramp and are driven down alley
ways and around street corners by re-
viving police. Then the head of col
Smn turns to the left and comes full
upon q scene of tumult-a great build
ing in flames, great mob surging
about it defying police interference and
bent apparently on cutting the struc-
ture from roof to cellar and pillaging the
neighboring stores. Now, men of the
-th, here's work cut out for you!
Drive that mob, bloodlessly if you can,
blood letting if you must!
The colonel is again at the head. All
are on foot. LEFT front into line,
double time;" tho first company throws
its long double rank from curb to curb,
Drummond, its commander, striding
at its front, Wing, his subaltern, anx-
iously watching him from among the
file closers. Already they have reach
ed the rearmost of the rioting groups,
and with warning cries and impreca-
tions these are scurrying to either side
and falling into the hands of the ac-
companying police. Thicker, denser
grows the smoke: thicker, denser the
mob.
"Clear this street, Out of the ryay!'
are the orders, and for q half book or
so clear il is. Then comes the first OPP
position. On a pilo of lumber tall,
stalwart man IN grizzled beard and
slouching hat-evidently leader of
mark among the mob-l3 shouting or
ders and encouragement. What no says
cannot be heard, but now, tightly
wedged between the rows of buildings,
the mob is at bay, and yelling mad re-
spouse to the frantic appeals and gestic-
ulations of their leader at least 2, 900
reckless and Infatuated men have faced
the little battalion surging steadily up
the narrow street.
You may have to fire, Drummond, "
says the colonel coolly. Get in rear
of your company. Obedient, the tall
lieutenant turns and follows his chief
along the front of his advancing line so
as to pass around the flank. He is not
so PAGES from the pile on which the
mob leader, with half a dozen half
drunken satellites, is shouting his ex-
hortations. Just as the lieutenant's
arm is grazing grim old Feeny's elbow
as he passes the first sergeant's station,
a brick comes hurtling through the air,
strikes full upon the back of the Off
GERS unprotected head and sends him,
face forward, into the muddy street.
In the yell of triumph that follows,
Wings voice for an instant is unheard.
Obedient to its principle, Never load
until about to fire." the battalion car
bines are still empty, but all on a sud-
den @ troop halts. with ball car
tridges, load!'' is Wings hoarse, stern
order. Now aim low when give the
word. Fire by company. Company,
ready!" and like one the hammers
click. But no command Aim" fol-
lows. "Look outi Look QUIT For
God IS sake don't fire! Out of the way!"
are the frantic yells from the Threats
of the mob. Away they go, scattering
down side streets, alley ways, behind
lumber piles, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
Many even throw themselves fiat on
their faces to escape the expected tenn
pest of lead. Don't fire." says the
colonel mercifully. Forward, double