Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-11-23

graSpcd it tightly, and ran on again.
Thoro was life at stake now. She
could not walk Over the boulder',
ovor logs, over the C ear spots and rough
places she knew so well, Club sped.
81 hope I'll be in tmc-I hope I'll be
in time," she said to herself as she
hurried toward the spring in the ravlnc.
Meantime Dan Bash walked faster
and faster toward his fate.
He was resolved now to decide the
question whether he would remain In
the district, at fair wages for teaching
the school on the mountains, or "grub
around roots" for such wages as the
farmers could afford to pay him.
He had ex client reasons, satisfactory
to himself, for carrying out his original
plan. There would have been less rea.
son to remain in tho district II he had
not encountered the ill-wiIl Of the young
men who assumed tho right to control
the school and all public affairs, by the
exercise of mere brute strength.
The Monks and their aSsO iate' leered
at reason. Common sense, ana Iair
play, and Justice were things they never
took account of.
AS Dan Bash walked on, swinging at
q free independent gait, he remembered
the murderous looks Ned and Bill MO TX
gave him when Club Dawson interpoSPd
in time to save him from eeing manned
or murdered by the gang.
He realized fully the nature OF the con-
test he had entered upon, but he had hoV
invited it. The quarrel was forced upon
him.
But he had a good deal to learn.
He did not know the depth OF the
meanness 10 which the Monks would
stoop to get the better of an antagonist.
He had vet to learn that the Monks ana
their assistants deemed all means fair
that promised them advantage They
never fought on equal terms, or single
handed. There was always somebody IN
reserve-something that could be counted
on with almost dead certainty" to en-
ploy Ned Monks own words.
The reader has seen how the brothers
pressed poor Squatty into their service
81 hear him coming, now, said Nco
Monk to his companions "Now, Bill
I'll aim at him first. I'll try to make
sure. lust when he comes level with us
ON the road. If l don't bring him down.
uou shoot, then well both jump on him.
and Squatty here will hep the best he
knows how"
The little group of assassins held thelr
breath until Dan Bash came within fifty
wards of their place of cOncealment.
Something caused Bash to halt
Was it forewarning?
He glanced up and down the road,
stopped suddenly, and picked up stone
and a heavy stick. Then he walked on
AS he neared the spot where the trio
were concealed, Ned Monk he'd his RTE
firmly in his hand in front of him, ready
to bring it up 70 his shoulder.
Dan Bash walked on rcsolutely, all
unconscious of the danger threatening
him.
AS Ned Monk observed him nearing
him he drew up his gun. His finger was
on the trigger, when a crack of a rifle
startled the group. A bullet cut twlg
lust over Ned Monks head.
Dan Bash halted. He thought the
shot was aimed at him.
Ned Monk rose up suddenly. His com
panions half-roSe and peered around,
right and left.
Dan Bash walked on, g"asping the
stane in one hand, conceaing it from
view, and resolved, in case he was as
sanltcd. to WELD his stick to the besi
advantage.
He was opposite the spring when sud
denly Bill Monk and Squatty rushed ou'
on him.
The assassins had changed their plans
They were resolved to carry out The
original scheme.
They would kill him, and then takt
care of the person who had shot at Nee
Monk.
Bill Monk had a knife open in hi'
right haYd; Squatty had club. Boil
were approaching him-the one with up
raised knife, the other with upraiset
club-when a shot was heard; Bill
Monks arm dropped, and the next mo
ment Club Dawson sprang between Ne'
Monk and his brother Bill.
At the same instant Dan Bash brough
his stick down so hard on SQuatty arm
that that individual hOwled with pain.
He thought his arm was broken.
"Murderers!"
Club Dawson at that moment was th'
embodiment of vengeance.
Her eyes blazed with passion as sh'
urned, first to Ned, then to Bill Monk
"You' Monks, as sure as you stant
thcre. I'll bore a hole in both OF you
You think you are not watched. We'll
Won had bess move on now, or you'll
have more than Club Dawson to dea
with. Take my advice. Move! Max
Yourselves scarce as quick as your fee
viii left Won. because you may came t
grief if you don't
Ned Monk half drew his rifle. He ha
half mind to fight the woman, and tn
man she had defended a second time tina
day.
@Come. Ned. Well only make troubl
fphtin' Club, said Bill Monk, hastily
He thought her father was following
Her language warranted some such IN
ference. AS for Squatty, he was alread
edging away as rapidly from the rang
of Climbs rife as he could move withou
running.
course her! She's wounded my arm,
said Bill Monk.
"The next shot will be nearer you
heart. Make another move dare
1ouch Dan Fash, and one Of you dies,
| die the same minute"
"We1l remember you, Club, said Nc
Monk, as he hastily walked after hi
brother Bill.
"Do," said Club. Then elevating he
voice: "YOu Go2't want lock of my hail
I guess. the way you are moving"
The last thing the cowardly trio hear
as thev walked on down the dusty rOa
was Club Dawson S ringing laugh.
rrrrrA