Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-03-04

slllllltSS VI illt autumn ulSHG Wutl Ilb
came i'll sight through the gloom, walk
ing rapidly up the front path. Before
he reached the porch he was joined by
Captain Vernon, who opened the un-
fastened door and entered the parlor.
"Well, " said the former, without the
slightest agitation, 'they are within
100 yards and coming at fast gait"
How many do you make?" inquired
the colonel.
ut is hard to tell in the darkness,
but all seem to be talking at the same
time, and they are struggling along, ap
parently without leader. There must
be score
"No doubt Jim DUNCAN is at their
head, and he is as brave as he is fool
ish."
"They need sharp lesson.
"And will receive it. They will ap-
proach from the 'front.'" added the colo
mel. "We shall have few words with
them before the firing begins. Most of
the men have seen service, and they
will first summon us to surrender. 1t is
policy to compel them to strike the
opening blow. You three will station
yourselves by the windows at tho front
of the parlor, with the sashes raised.
When give the word, we will all open
fire together"
1--WE promise you that" assented
Captain Warren, speaking for the rest
of US.
And don't forget that each of you
l., L
shots into them as fast as you can. A
battle is often won by its opening. 1t
will be mercy to the survivors to pick
off a dozen or so. The chances are that
they will run after a reception like
that. "
perhaps to organize in larger force
than before"
"What of that" demanded the colo
mel as if he snutfed the battle and rev.
eled in the intOXication it impaired.
"Ah, there they arer'
Looking out from the darkened par
lOr, we saw a number of shadowy fig
ures gathering near the entrance to the
grounds. The night was like the preced-
ing one, cool, crisp and clear, with only
the star gleam to aid our vision. This
was weakened by the shade of the trees
that surrounded the house, but by look
ing straight down the wide walk there
was little difficulty in making out the
moving forms.
AS nearly as could judge there were
twenty odd, so that the vigilantes of the
preceding night had been augmented by
others. They had halted at the entrance
to the grounds, as if for consultation.
There We're four windows at the front
of the parlor, and three of us took our
station there, each with a rifle in hand.
Colonel Mansley, as our leader, re-
manned in the hall near the front door,
ready to receive the message which Was
expected from the mob. In the impress
i've silence L caught the sound of a
light football at the head of the stairs.
Miss Mansley had violated the COM
mand of her parent to the extent of
leaving her room.
The minutes passed, and still none of
the shadowy forms at the front of the
grounds approached. In the stiffness of
the night we could hear the murmur of
their voices. If Jim DUNCAN was the
leader, he did not have his vigilantes
under the best of discipline. Colonel
Mansley grew impatient, for he did not
understand the meaning of the delay,
and Captain Warren, nearest me on the
right, muttered:
''It looks as if their courage had pc
tered out and there is none that dare
show himself in front of the others"
'They may open fire from where they
stand or pass around to the rear, where
we shall have poorer chance at them.
"Ihey can't effect much at long
range All, there they comep'
Instead of one man two advanced
from the group and walked up the path
beside each other. AS they drew nearer
it was seen that each carried a rifle.
While was peering through the gloom,
trying to identify them, Captain Warren
said i'll low voice:
THE one on the right is Jim Dun
gan"
And his companion is Cy Walters, "
l added, easily recognizing the massive
figure of the eX-soldier.
You are right. 1t is he''
They came forward at o deliberate
walk, apparently puzzled by the dark
ness and silence of the mansion, but
they showed no signs of timidity. At
the foot of the porch the two halted, and
DUNCAN called in a clear voice:
Hello, the house"
Colonel Mansley instantly stepped
forth and, advancing to the edge of the
upper step, asked in his sharp, military
fashion,:
well, sir, what do you wish?"
The two men gave u salute by touch
ing their forefingers to the fronts of
their hats, but he stood proud and erect
without acknowledgement.
"YOu have a young man in your
house that we want to see," replied
DUNCAN, who did the talking for his
party.
81 have guest here, but he chooses
to pick his company and declines to
have anything to do with you"
''Has he said so?" was the impudent
question of the leader of the vigilantes
"None of your business I speak for
him."
81 think, colonel, you'd better let
that chap come out"
at matters nothing to me what you
think; you have my answer"
Suppose we come in after him?'
Colonel Mansley held his temper bet
ter than l expected. There was not a
tremor in his tones when he replied:
"lhe first ono of Won who annrnanhRs