Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-02-18

making the wet scalp arms length to-
ward the lumbermen.
At this grim interruption q silence
fell. The owner paled slightly; his
foreman chewed q nonchalant straw.
Down the still deserted street crossed
and recrossed the subtle occult intiu
pnces of q half hundred concealed
watchers. DAILY and his subordinate
we're very much alone and very much
In danger. Their last hour had come.
and they knew it.
Immediately raised their weapons in
the resolve TO do as much damage as
possible before being overpowered.
Then suddenly, full in the back,
heavy stream OF water knocked them
completely of their feet, rolled them
over on the wet sawdust and finally
TANNED them both against the trestle.
where it held them, kicking and gasp
Ing for breath. In a choking cataract Of
water. The pistols few harmlessly in
to the air. For an instant the Fighting
Forty stared in paralyzed astonish-
msnt. Then tremendous roar OF
laughter salutcd this ensy vanquish-
ment Of formidable enemy.
DAILY and Baker were bounced upon
and captured. There was no resistance.
They were too nearly strangled for
that. Little Solly and old Vanderhoof
turned off the water in the fire hydrant
and disconnected the hose they had SO
effectively employed.
There, blast YOU" said Rollway
Charley, jerking the mill man TO his
feet. How do you like too much wa
ter. hey?"
The unexpected comedy changed the
pnrty's mood. 1t was no longer ques-
ton Of killing. A number broke into
the store and shortly emerged bearing
pals of kerosene, with which they Gel
uged the slabs OIL the windward side
of the mill. The flames caught the
structure instantly. a thousand sparks
borne by the offshore breeze. fastened
like so many singing insects on the
lumber in the yard.
1t burned as dried balsam thrown on
q camp fire. The heat of it drove the
onlookers far back in the village. where
In silence they watched the destruction.
Daily and his man were slapped and
cuffed hither and thither at the mems
will Their faces bled, their bodies
ached as one bruise.
THAT squares U.S." said the men. III
we can't cut this year, neither kin you
It's up to you now
Then. like destroying horde OF To-
Gusts, they Quilted the Office and the
store, smashing what they could not
carry to the fire. The dwellings and
saloons they did not disturb Finally,
about noon. they kicked their 20 pris
oners into the river and struggled back
along the right of way.
II surmise we took that town apart
some" said Shorty with satisfaction.
II should rise to remark" replied
Kerlie.
At the boarding house they found
Wallace Carpenter and Hamilton seat
ed on the veranda. 1t was now after
noon. The wind had abated somewhat,
and the sun was struggling with the
still flying scuds
Hello, boys" said Wallace. "been
for little walk in the woods"
Yes, sir" replied Hyland. we
I'D rather not hear" interrupted
Wallace. "There's quite n fire over
east l suppose you haven't noticed
It,"
Hyland looked gravcly eastward.
Sure nough," said he.
Better get some grub" suggested
Wallace.
After the men had gone in he turned
to the journalist.
Hamilton" he began, write all you
know about the drive and the break
and the rescue, but as to the burning
of the mill
The other held out his hand.
"GOod," said Wallace, offering his
own.
And that was as far as the famous
Shingleville raid ever got. DAILY did
his best to collect even circumstautial
evidence against the participants, but
in vain. He could not even get any
one to say that Il single member OF the
village of Carpenter had abscnted him
Belf from town that morning. This
might have been from loyalty or il
might have been from fear Of the venge
ance the Fighting Forty would sure
ly visit on n traitor. Probably it wa.
combination Of both. The fact re
mains. however. that DAILY never knew
surely of but one man implicated il
the destruction Of his plant That maj
was Injun Charley; but Injun Charley
promptly disappeared.
After an interval Tim Shearcr, Rad
way and Kerle came out again
"Where's the boss" asked Shearer
Il don't know. Tim" replied Wallace
seriously. "lve looked everywhere
He's gone. He must have been all Gu
up. ! think he went out in the wood
to get over it. ! ain not worryin"
Harry has lots OF sense. He'll come i.
about dark"
Sure" said Tim.
How about tho boys s;ales:" q'u
rled Railway. Il hear this Is n bad
smash for lie firm
well see lhat the men get theil
wages all right" replied Carpenter, &
little disaI pointed that such a question
should I've asked Mt such time
"Al right" reioned the contra ctoi'
Were all going to need our money
this summer"