Courier Democrat., 1904-07-28
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II
outer consciousness. Thorpes 1inal de-
cisfon had already grown to maturity.
On the other hand, no other thought
than that Of accomplishment bad even
entered the little bookkeeper's head.
The rescue and all that 1t had meant
had hit him like stroke Of apoplexy,
and his thin emotions had curdled to
hysteria. Full of the idea he appeared
before the men.
With rapid. almost incoherent speech
he poured it out to them. Professional
caution and secrecy were forgotten.
Wallace Carpenter attempted to push
through the ring for the purpose Of
stopping him. A gigantic river man
kindly but firmly held him back.
II guess it's just as we'll we hears
this" said the latter.
It all came out-the loan to Carpen-
ter, with hint at the motive-the
Vaccinations Of the rival firm on the
board Of trade; the notes, the mort
cages. the necessity of big seasons
cut; the reasons the rival firm had for
wishing to prevent that cut from ar
irving at the market; the desperate and
varied means they had employed. The
men listened, silent. Hamilton, his
eyes glowing like Goals, drank in every
word. Here was the master motive he
had sought: here was the story great
to his hand.
'Thats what zoe ought to get!' cried
Collins, almost weeping. "And now
we're gone and bust just because that
internal river hog had to fall of a
boom! It's shame! Those scalawags
have done US after alp
Out from the shadows of the woods
stole 1njun Charley. The whole bear
ing and aspect Of the man had chang
ed. His eye cleaned with a distant.
farseeing fire Of its own, which took
no account Of anything but some re-
mote vision. He stole along almost
furtively, but with proud, upright
carriage Of his neck, a backward tilt
Of his fine head. a distension Of his
nostrils, that lent to his appearance a
panther-like pride and stealthiness. No
one saw him. Suddenly he broke
through the group and mounted the
steps beside Collins.
''The enemy Of my brother is gone" /"
said he simply in his native tongue.
and with sudden gesture held out be-
fore them-a scalp.
The medieval barbarity of the thing
appalled, them for moment The days
Of scalping were long since past. had
been closed away between the pages
Of forgotten histories, and yet here
again before them was the thing in all
its living horror. Then growl arose.
The human animal had tasted blood.
All at once, like wine, their wrongs
mounted to their head. They remem-
bered their dead comrades. They re-
membered the heart breaking days and
nights Of toll they had endured on ac-
count Of this man and his associates.
They remembered the words Of Collins.
the little bookkeeper. They hated.
They shook their fists across the skies.
They turned and with one accord
struck back for the railroad right of
way which led to Shingleville, the
town controlled by Morrison & DAILY.
The railroads lay for a mile straight
through thick tamarack swamp, then
over nearly treeless cranberry plain.
The tamarack was a screen between
the two towns. When half way
through the swamp Red Jacket stop
ped, removed his coat, ripped the lining
from it and began to fashion a rude
mask.
"Just as well .they don't recognize
u.s." said he.
Somebody in town will give us
away" suggested Shorty, the chore boy
mo. they won't; they're. all here.'
assured Kerlie.
1t was true Except for the women
and children, who were not yet about,
the entire village had assembled. Even
old Vanderhoof, the fire catcher of the
yard. hobbled along breathlessly on his
rheumatic legs. In a moment the
masks were fitted; in moment more
the little band had emerged from the
shelter Of the swamp and so came into
full view Of its objective point
Shinglevi1le consisted of a 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 its eyes on this collec-
ton Of buildings and trudged on down
the right of way with unhastening
grimness
Their approach was not unobserved
Daily 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-
volvers drawn
DAILY traced a 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.
Days river men were still ON drive. He