Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-02

| dSSuTeu IAGFlle.
 It was true. Except for the women and children, who were not yet about, 1 the entire village had assembled. Even l old Vanderhoof, the fire catcher of the yard, hobbled along breathlessly on his rheumatic legs. In moment the masks were fitted; in a moment more | the little band had emerged from the shelter of the swamp and so came into full view of its objective point. 1 Shingleville consisted of big. mill, the yards, now nearly empty of lum- Der, the large frame boarding house, the office, the stable, store, two sa- ! looms and dozen dwellings. The par ty at once fixed it's eyes on this collec- ton of buildings and trudged on down the right of way with unhastening | grimness.
 I Their approach was not unobseryed. Daly saw them, and Baker his fore man, saw them. The two at once went forth to organize opposition. When the attacking party reached the mill yard it found the boss and the fore man standing alone on the sawdust, re- 1 volvers drawn.
 1 Daly traced line with his toe.
 'The first man that crosses that line gets it," said he.
 They knew he meant what he said An instant's pause ensued, while the | big man and the little faced mob. l Daly's river men were still on drive. He | Knew the mlli meIls 100 well to depend | on them. Truth to tell, the possibility | of such raid as this had not occurred l to him for the simple reason that he did not anticipate the discovery of his complicity with the forces of nature. Skillfully carried out, the plan was good one. No one need know of the weakened link, and it was the most natural thing in the world that Sadler & Smiths drive should go out with the increase of water.
 The men grouped swiftly and silently on the other side of the sawdust line. The pause did not mean that Daly's de fense was good
 Do you know what's going to hap pen to you?' said a voice from the group. The speaker was Radway, but the contractor kept himself well in the background. We're going to burn your mill we're going to burn your yards; we're going to burn your whole shooting match, you low lived whelpw
 Dyer" said Injun Charley simply, shaking the wet scalp arms length to- ward the lumbermen.
 At this grim interruption silence fell. The owner paled slightly; his foreman chewed nonchalant straw. Down the still deserted street crossed and recrossed the subtle occult inf1u- ,1E 1nI n n watchers. Dalye and his subordinate were very much alone and very much Ill danger. Their last hour had come, and they knew it.
 With the recognition of the fact they immediately raised their weapons i'll the resolve to do as much damage as possible before being overpowered.
 Then suddenly, full in the back, a heavy stream of water knocked them completely off their feet, rolled them over on the wet sawdust and finally damned them both against the trestle. where it held them, kicking and gasp ing for breath, in a choking cataract of water The pistols flew harmlessly in- to the air. For an instant the Fighting Forty stared in paralyzed astonish- ment. Then a tremendous roar of laughter saluted this easy vanquish- ment of formidable enemy.
 Daly and Baker were bounced upon and captured. There was no resistance. They were too nearly strangled for that. Little Soly and old Vanderhoof turned off the water in the fire hydrant and disconnected the hose they had so effectively employed.
 ''There, blast youw said Rollway Charley, jerking the mill man to his feet. How do you like too much wa. ter, hey?''
 The unexpected comedy changed the party's mood. It was no longer ques- ton of killing. \ number broke into the store and shortly emerged bearing pails of kerosene, with which they del uged the slabs on the windward side of the mill. The flames caught the structure instantly. A thousand sparks. borne by the offshore breeze, fastened like so many stinging insects on the lumber i,l the yard.
 It burned as dried balsam thrown on a 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 cuffcd hither and thither at the mems will. Their faces bled, their bodies ached as one bruise.
 That squares us" said the men. If we can't cut this year, neither kin you It's up to you now.."
 Then. like d destroying horde of lo- ousts, they gutted the office and the store, smashing what they could not z carry to the fire The dwellings and saloons they did not disturb. Finally, about noon. they kicked their two pris- oners into the river and struggled back along the right of way.
 II surmse 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. It was now after noon The wind had abated somewhat,