The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1903-10-03
THE MO0NSH|NERS



Smoky mountains, and never had they
been surprised before. But now their
stills were gone, some Of their men had
been shot. while the rest, after scatter
Ing. had come together at the river
fork to consider what to do.
There's jist one thing to do" said
Branagan, land that Is to wrcak vcDge
ance on the man that give us away"
And who was thati" asked Ian Mac
Alister.
And who knows better n you know
yourself, And you'd own, too, that its
the schoolmaster If you wasn't dead
stuck on his daughter"
Ian MacAlster had long been n lead
er among them, but since their last
misfortune. which they attributed to
Cameron Swift, tie man who taught
their children and who, though he con
demned their occupation, had before
always been their friend. they had bro.
ken away from .MacAlister's influence
For Ian would not listen to word
against Swift and the gang attributed
this TO the fact that Ian was the slave
OF Lucy Swift, the schoolmastcrs
daughter Branagan had scarcely spo-
ken when there was the sound of
horses hoofs, and n young girl riding
astrde pulled up In their midst.
Scat tier boys scatter The revenues
have got wind that you're here and be.
fore morning they'll be here"
'Go back to your father" said one OF
the gang land tell him that we want
no warning from him or any OF his
kin"
MncAllstcr seeing that he was pow
erless to protect the girl from insult,
without word took her horse by the
bride and led her away.
ITS no use, Lucy. The men have
been Informed that your father put the
revenues on TO them, and they're cot
10 be convinced to the contrary. Go
away from here at once"
II wish you'd come With me-" she
said AZ she started on. and quit the
gang forever"
But Ian had work before him just
then. He feared the men we're going
10 move upon Cameron Swift, seize him
and hang him, In "A moment he was
back. and Just In time to hear BranA
gan propose TO do exactly what he
feared Turning before he was seen
he ran after Lucy To warn her but was
too late. He kept on, however, on foot
TIL he came TO a farm where he pro
cured n horse and never drew rein I'LL
he dlsmountcd before Sw,ft's cottage |
and told OF the danger
"Ynr'll have little time" be Sad, ITO |
get FAR enough away. for They're near |
behna ae a.ua,a ~ horse and let |
Lucy mount again aud rioe as fast MS
rNr con"
A., / know who was the traitor"
said Swift. "a re cnue' told me II
was Branagan'
THAT won't save you. They're blind
with rage, and Just now EranaGan has
sh"w completely under his influence.
Go ut once"
And your asked Lucy.
"l'll stay here and stand 'cm of az
long as can"
In less than half an hour there was !
q c0lnmotion below men calling 10
each other and shouting vengeance
Ian listened with his hand On the
schoolmnstcr's rifle, which he had TAX
en- down from the wall waiting tin
they should come up. lie had locked
and barred the house and taken posi-
tion at an open window, where he
could fire through closed blinds He
had 10 mind TO hurt any OF his com
radcs; he wanted the blood OF Brann
gan. the man who had betrayed them
ON came the gang until they emerged
from behind the trees and stood In
front of the house. Then MacAllstcr,
with the muzzle OF his rifle pointing
between the stats OF the blind, aimed
straight at the heart of Branagan and,
taking advantage OF moment when
the traitor wDs not In motion, fired
Rranagan fell dead.
MnCAllstcr threw open the shutter
and stood where his form could be seen,
though his features could not be distin
guished Tor the darkness
Pools he cried 1T is Rranagnn
who gave us away. Search him Like
a. not he has his bride In his pocket"
John Hanson, "A friend OF lan's, was
the only one who recognized the voice
Jumping for the fallen body he thrust
his hands in the pockets, but pulled out
nothing. Taking Off the coat, he tore II
in pieces, and Ave new. crisp 500 bills,
fresh from the United States treasury,
futtcrcd 10 the ground
Then there was sudden stiffness,
and MacAlister. unarmed, walked out
TO them.
Boys" he said ut was the school
master, whom you'd have hung II
hadn't forestnlled you, who was told 10y
revenue that Branagan was the
traitor. He was worse than Il traitor,
for he not only took bride for giving
us away, but TO turn suspicion from
himself led you on 10 murder Cameron
Swift. YOU'RE spared crime"
I'VE wronged you "a we did the
schoolmaster." said one.
"You were always the best head In
the lot. Tell us what TO do" said an,
other.
what am going TO do is 10 give ny
'moonshiLin' forever. and I'd recon
mend to each and every one of you 10
do the same. II you VIII III 20 20
Cameron Swift. and through him be
lieve | can get immunity for all OF us.
What dye say
Ian did get immunity through the
schoolmaste.. and every one " the