The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1894-05-03
FOES In AMBUSH
From first page

the shoulder? Even the engine has it's
guard. and half 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 brick
is heaved or trigger pulled.
And so into the great stone station
they 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.
'..Now, Feeny. clear the platform to
the left. Take the other side, Wing"
says Drumnond quietly to the officer
at the front door of the next car.
In the very fraction of a second the
first sergeant and dozen men have
leared from the deck, and straight into
the heart Of the crowd they go. Back
with We! Out O. this!" 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 suffo-
eating, is heaved back upon itself and
sent like a 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 ire
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; a 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 20 at
route step, and then, turning to the
right, tramp on down a 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
istless. 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 and comes full
upon scene of tumult-a great build
ing in flames. a great mob surging
about it defying police interference and
bent apparently on quitting the struc-
ture from roof to cellar and pillaging the
reighboring stores. Now, men of the
til, here's work cut out for you'll
Drive that mob, bloodlessly if you can,
blood letting if you mustl
The colonel is again at the head. All
are on foot. LEFT front into line,
double time;' the first company throws
it's long double rank from curb to curb,
Drummond, it's commander, striding
at its front, Wing, his subaltern, anx-
iously watching him from among the
file closers. Already they have reach
ed the rearnost of the rioting groups,
and with warning cries and impreca-
tions these are scurrying to either side
and falling into the hands of the &C.
companying police. Thicker, denser
grows the smoke; thicker, denser the
mob.
CLEAR this street. Out of the way!'
are the orders, and for a half block or
so clear it is. Then comes the first op-
position. On pile of lumber tall,
stalwart man in grizzled beard and
slouching hat-evidently a leader of
mark among the 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-
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