Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-07-17
Copyright 1901 by CHARLES King

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
sheriff.
Look! Sledge hammers, by heav-
en% he cried. pointing to the gate, al
ready shaken by the furious henying of
the throng.
Then there's only one thing to do"
answered sLangdon, his face very pale,
but his eyes aflame. "Out of the way,
please, Mr.. Sheriff." And, thus dismiss
ing ard disposing of &hat now useless
functionary, he stepped quickly back
to the front of his men. Even in that
supreme moment he was counting the
chances of every move. He had faced
rioters before and knew how vital 1t
was that every movement of the troops
should be machlnelike and precise.
Listen to me carefully, now, men,"
He spoke in his clear, animated tone,
every word cutting through the clamor
SO as to be distinctly heard by these
his young soldiers standing grave fac
ed and some of them, it was evident,
quivering before him, while, on the
other hand, at his back and beyond the
fence the uproar among the rioters
made his voice inaudible. 81 shall
face you to the right. march opposite
the gate, then face you to the front
again. Now, watch me well. shall
go to the gates, say few words to
those fellows, then step back and order
you to load, and that means load with
cartridges. Obey coolly. Take your
time, but keep your hammers down
at half cock and don't let finger touch
the trigger! Quietly now" he added.
Then, according to the tactics of the
day, Langdon gave the order to carry
arms, paused to see 1t thoroughly UNI
de.stood, then Fright face" which was
tlone to a man without a flaw; then
forward, march!" at which, to the ac-
compartment of redoubled yells and
some few half bricks that came hur-
Ting over the fence, but fell short, the
company moved off. Short step in
front" he warned the guide, so that his
men should not become spread out or,
like noyjces, trip over one another's
heels. And so in very commendable
order and in another moment he had
his men opposite the point of danger.
Then rang out the order, Company,
halt!' faced them to the front once
more, and there they stood at carry
arms, silent, awed, but utterly subordi-
nate, and, despite the fury Of abuse
and denunciation which greeted their
move, looking straight into the faces
of the raging mob, but with both ears
attent and one eye on their cool headed
commander. He smiled at them mo-
ment. "Why, you fellows are steady
enough for veterans" he said. And,
with his own heart humping fast, he
placidly turned again and with one
calm glance ut the surging scene be-
fore him and purposely leaving his
men at the carry he walked quietly for
ward. Claiming and the sheriff away
to the rear, looking breathlessly on.
Barely 90 feet interposed between
his men and the mob as, all alone, he
sauntered down to the gates. In spite
Of themselves the cursing ringleaders,
the bruwny wielders of siedge and
crow, dropped blasphemy and bars to
listen. They saw he had something to
say, and curiosity prevailed. That
white faced gray eyed "cuss" had
nerve and grit certainly and seemed
profoundly unmoved by their uproar.
What they heard was not to their lik-
ing, but hear 1T they had to, for he lift
ed up his voice so that 1t reached some
hundred ears, and yet his words were
us calm, deliberate, passionless, as he
himself might prove merciless. He
spoke as though 1t were matter of
utter Indifference to him whether they
burst through and got IT. or staid
without and We're spared.
"You seem bent on breaking In" the
clear tones rang out over the murmur
md mutter close at hand-the tumult
Mt the distance. Now, understand
IL these gates fly open, the instant you
attempt to enter you get a volley in
the facet"
Then slowly, calmly, placidly as be-
fore, he turned about, walked back
half way, only ten steps or SO, and
there, first CHANGING along his waiting
line to insure its readiness and close at
tention, in clear, sharp, commanding
tone, with distinct pause after every
word, SO that even the mob could hear,
gave the order:
with ball cartrldges-lond"
Ten seconds more, and the silent 70
stood in the position preliminary to
ready, the brown barrels sloping to the
front, the muzzles chin high, every eye
fixed upon the gate in stern, calm de-
termination, the ranks inspired by the
soldier commanders intrepid and reso-
Lutte bearing-T0 men in uniform obey
Ing to the letter the will Of that one
soldier in civilian dress-and then, once
more In front Of the center, Langdon
calmly faced the hard breathing, half
paralyzed mob without and dropped
on his right knee. The act spoke for
itself. From that position, instead of
in rear of the line, he meant to give
the word, and the death dealing volley
would flash into their faces over his
head.
CHAPTER VIII.
That was a memorable day in rail-
way circles all over the west, but es-
pecially SO in Nebraska. What made 1t