The record-union., 1898-01-31

yowing vengeance on them for the
trouble they were causing, and there
number OF driver boys and others,
young in years, but older than any Of
the strikers, were eager for continuing
the search and bringing back the
strikers by force. Older men. however,
counseled them to spare their efforts,
arguing that the boys would return
during the night of their own accord.
Midnight passed and morning broke,
however, with no sign of the strikers;
and as the breaker remained silent and
the engine quiet. the men, who had
been somewhat lenient the day before,
became thoroughly angry. AS soon
after breakfast as possible the men
collected at the nine, and it was then
determined to send out searching par
ties. locate the boys, and take them
back to the mines, if it took a week
to do So Accordingly about Il hundred
Of the most active put lunches in their
pockets, and at some ones suggestion
several yards of stout cord TO tie their
prisoners with, and thus armed and
victualed began the ascent Of the
mountain, guided by the assertion OF
a driver boy who said he saw fires in
the old cave during the night.
Early in the morning Tommy, after
q consultation with the Executive Com
mittee. and ordered a dozen or so Of
the boys out as sentinels, posting them
at various commanding points with
instructions to report any approach OF
the miners. He now realized his stu
alton and heartily wished he had never
thought of striking. but his Rubicon
was crossed and he resolved to hold
out until the last He knew that II
the boys returned to the village they
would not only suffer painful punish
ment but gain nothing at all, except
the ridicule of everybody. On the
other hand, he believed If they could
stay out for three or four days the
company would grant their demands.
in which event he could picture an
enviable position for himself as the
youngest labor leader in the world, not
to speak of getting his picture in ali
the papers with long accounts of the
strike.
He had imbued the others with the
belief that their only course was to
resist to the last al efforts to take
them back. and as ne foresaw an at
dered all the boys TO keep near the
cave, and also 10 collect heaps OF
stones at the entrance. ready to re-
pei an attack. AS he expected. about
10 O'Clock the sentinels ran into the
camp with the news that a number of
men were advancing toward the cave
Three toots on the horn. which Tommy
had reserved for himself. sounded the
retreat and all the boys went into the
cave. In a short time they could see
the men coming. twenty or thirty driver
BOYS being in the lead. They ad-
vanced as if they were quite sure where
the boys were hiding. and Tommy. see
ing that all attempts at concealment
were useless. stepped forth as they
began to climb the steep ascent to the
cave Behind him lay the boys, each
with stone ready to throw.
Don't yer come up here he cried,
I'VE amt goin' back with yer, SO don't
yer come up"
The driver boys answered with a
shout of derision, and pressed forward.
Tingling with excitement, Tommy
cried, "Fire,
Never was volley more effective:
swift and true flew the stones. and back
went the driver boys in confusion. with
hands pressed over painful bruises and
cuts. while Tommy footed the horn
and the boys cheered in triumph. The
rest of the attacking force came up just
in time to see the advance body hurled
back. Then their pent-up anger broke
forth in a storm of voices ordering the