The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1903-12-05
IOriglnaLI

5 2 y
/ their stills in the heart.of the Great
/ 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 Mt the river
/ fork TO consider what to do.
! There's jist one thing TO do" said
| 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 schooImaster If you wasn't dead
stuck on his daughter"
| Ian MacAlister had long been a lead
er among them, but since their last
misfortune, which they attributed To
Cameron Swift, the 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 a word
against Swift, and the gang attributed
this to the fact that Ian was the slave
Of Lucy Swift. the schoolmaster' i
daughter. Branagan had scarcely spo-
Ken when there was the sound OF
horses hoofs, and a young girl riding
astrde pulled up in their midst
Scatter 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"
MacAlister, seeing that he was pow
eress to protect the girl from insult,
without Il 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 not
to be convinced to the contrary. Go
away from here at once"
81 wish you'd come with me-" she
said as she started on. "and quit the
gang forever"
But Ian had work before him just
then lie feared the men were going
to move upon Cameron Swift, seize him
and hang him. In II 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 farm where he pro
nd II nj
he dismounted before Swifts cottage
and told of the danger.
You'll have little time" he said. Ito
get far enough away. for they're near
behind me. Mount my horse and let
Lucy mount again and ride as fast as
you can"
But know who was the traitor"
said Swift "A 'rs enue' told me. II
was Branagan."
THAT won't save you. They're blind
with rage, and just now Branagan has
them completely under his influence.
Go at once"
"And your asked Lucy.
''l'll stay here and stand 'em or as
long as | can"
In less than half an hour there was
q commotion below. men calling to
each other and shouting vengeance.
Ian listened with his hand on the
schoolmaster's rife. which he had TAX
en- down from the wall. waiting till
they should come up. He had locked
and barred the house and taken posi-
ton ut an open window. where he
could fire through closed blinds He
had no mind to hurt any OF his com
rades; he wanted the blood of Brana-
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 MacAlister,
with the muZZlc OF his rifle pointing
between the Stats of the blind, aimed
straight AT the heart of BranaEan and,
taking advantage of moment when
the traitor was not in motion, fired
BrauaEan fell dead
MacAlister threw open the shutter
and stood where his form could be seen,
though his features could not be dstin-
guished for the darkness
Pools" he cried. "lr is Dranagan
who gave us away. Search him. Like
as not he has his bride in his pocket"
John Hanson. friend OF lnn's was
the only one who recognized the voice
Jumping for the fallen body. he thrust
his hands IN the pockets, but pulled ont
nothing Taking or the coat, he tore ii
in pieces and five new, crisp 500 bills
fresh from the United States treasury
futtcred 70 the ground,
Then there was a sudden stiffness
and MacAlister. unarmed, walked out
to them.
"Boys," he said. "it was the school.
master. whom you'd have hung il !
hadn't toresta,'cd you, who was told by
revenue that Branagan was the
traitor He was worse than a traitor
for he not only took 4 brIbc for giving
Us away but to turn suspicion from
himself led YOU on 10 murder Cameron
Swift YOU'RE spared crime"
We wrongnd you MS we ala the
schoolmastur" ~a II one
"lou were always the best head I'm
tha lnf Toll rz what - 4, % "a ,.rs