The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-02

3s
back. he sees his fellows scattering to
either side, and one look at the smooth
rolling car reveals the cause; two car
bines are leveled at him, and fiat he
throws himself on his face and rolls to
one side amid derisive laughter from
the strikers themselves. A little far
ther on a knot of surly rioters are gath
cred on the track. No warning whis-
tie sounds, and the changing bell is too
far to the rear to attract their attention.
"Out of the way there!" is the blunt,
roughly spoken order. No time this
for standing IN ceremony. Vengeful
and scowling the men spring aside,
some STOPPING to pick up rocks, others
reaching into their pockets for the
ready pistol, bat rocks are dropped and
pistols undrawn as the train whirls
rapidly by, and wrath gives place to
justification. Who-what + these
strange, silent, stubbly bearded, sun
tanned fellows in SLOUGH hats, flannel
shirts and the worn old black belts owe
the shoulder? Even the engine has it's
guard, and half a dozen of them, perch
ed upon the tender, have leveled their
carbines to flank and rear, ready to let
drive into the crowd the instant a brick
is heaved or a trigger pulled.
And so into the great stone station
thev roll. and here they find the plat
forms jammed with citizens-some
drawn by curiosity, some active SYM
pathizers in the strike, and many Of
them prominent leaders Of the mob surg
ing in the crowded thoroughfare with
out. The train has hardly come to a
stand when from every direction the
mass Of outsiders is heaving up around
it.
CHOW, Feeny, clear the platform to
the left. Take the other side, Wing"
says Drummond quietly to the officer
at the front door of the next car
In the very fraction Of a second the
first sergeant and a dozen men have
leaped from the deck, and straight into
the heart of the crowd they go. BACK
with ye! Out o. thisl'' are the stern,
determined orders, emphasized by Wig
orous prods with the heavy carbine
butts. Astonished at methods so prompt
and decided, there is only such resist
ance as the weight and bulk Of those in
rear can offer, and that is but moment
airy. The sight of those cleaning gat-
ling barrels. the stern, brief orders and
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 sufo-
eating, is heaved back upon itself and
sent like q 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 fours, 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 alon:.-
side, waving their hats and cheering
themselves hoarse. "Them fellers
hasn't no bouquets in their guns, is the
way a 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; a carriage
has whisked the colonel owe to head
quarters, but haste! hastei 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 90 at
route step, and then, turning to the
right, tramp on down q 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 fremen 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
umn turns to the left M comes full
upon q scene of tumult-a great build
ing in flames, a great mob surging
about it defying police interference and
bent apparently on cutting tie struc-
ture from roof to cellar and pillaging the