Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-01-09
way a street gamin expresses it.

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 go at | route step, and then, turning to the right, tramp on down a roughly paved street, growing dim and dinner every minute with stifiing smoke. Presently they are crossing snakelike lines of hose, gashed and useless; passing fire i apparatus standing unhitched and neg lected; passing firemen exhausted and | listless. Then occasional squads of scOwling uen give way before their 1 steady tramp and are driven down alley ways and around street corners by re- 1 viving police. Then the head of col umn turns to the left and comes full upon a scene of tumult-a great build | ing in flames, a great mob surging about it defying police interference and l bent apparently on gutting the struc- ture from roof to cellar and pillaging the neighboring stores. Now, men of the tn, 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 "Lc1t front into line, 1 double time;" tho first company throws its long double rank from curb to curb, Drummond, it's commander, striding at it's 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 arc 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 wayr' are the orders, and for q half block or so clear it is. Then comes the first op- position. On pilo of lumber tall, stalwart man il grizzled beard and slouching evidently a leader of mark among tho mOb-ls shouting or ders and encouragement. What he says cannot be heard, but now, tightly wedged between the rows of buildings, the mob is at bay, and yelling mad re- sponse to the frantic appeals and gestic- ulations of their leader at least 2, 900 reckless and infuriatcd men have faced tho littlo 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 tho flank. He is not 50 paces from the pilo on which the mob leader, with half q dozen half drunken satellites, is shouting his ex- hortations. Just as the lieutenant's arm is grazing grim old Feeny's elbow as Inc passes the first sergeant's station, a brick comes hurtling through the air, strikes full upon the back of the off cer's unprotected head and sends him, face forward, into the muddy street In the yell of triumph that follows, Wing voice for an instant is unheard. Obedient to its principle, Never load until about to fire, the battalion s car pines are still empty, but all on a sud den C 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 ono the hammers click. But no command Aim" fol lows. Look out! Look out! For Gods sake don t firel Out of the way!" are the frantic yells from the throats of the mob. Away they go, scattering down side streets, alley ways, behind lumber piles. anywhere. Many even throw themselves fat on their faces to escape the expected tenn pest of lead. Don't fire," says the colonel mercifully. Forward, double time, and givo them the butt. We'll support you" Down from the lumber piles come the erstwhile truculent lead CTS. "Draw cartridge, men," orders Wing in wrath and disappointment. Now, butts to tho front, and give them h-l. FOrward!" And out he leaps to take tho lead, flashing straight into tho thick of the scattering mob, his men after him. There is a minute of wild yelling, cursing, of resounding blows and trampling feet, and in the midst of it ak a single shot, and when Wing, breathless, is finally halted two squares farther on only dozen broken headed wretches remain along the street to represent the furious mob that con fronted them few minutes before. Only these few and one writhing, bleed ing form, around which half q dozen policemen arc curiously gathered, and at whOso sido the battalion surgeon has just knelt.
 He's shot through and through, " is his verdict presently. ''No power can save him. Who is he:'
 About the worst and most danger ous ringleader of riot this town has known, sir, '' is tho answer of one of the police officials. No ono knew where he camo from either-or his real name"
 And then in his dying agony the fall en demagogue turns, and the other side of his twitching face comes uppermost. Even through tho thin, grizzly beard there is plainly seen an ugly, jagged scar stretching from car to chin.
 'This isn't hi3 first row by any man. ner of means, if it is his last, ." says a sergeant of police. Look at that! Who shot him 1anyhow?"
 II did, is tho cool. prompt answer, and Sergeant Feeny raises his hand to his carried carbine and stands atten- ton as ho sees the surgeon kneeling there. II did, and just in the nick of time. He had drawn bead on our lieutenant, but even if he hadn't I'd have downed him, and so would any man in that company yonder." And Feeny points to where c troop stands resting after its charge.
 You knew him then?''
 Knew him instantly, as a deserter, thafe, highwayman and murderer knew him as Private Bland in Arizona and would know him anywhere by that scar''
 A policeman bends and wrenches a loaded revolver from the clutching, quivering fingers just as Wing comes striding back and shoulders his way into the group.
 ''Is he badly hurt. doctor? That