The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1905-02-01

through the swamp Red jacket stop
ped, removed his coat, ripped the linins
from 1t and began to fashion a rud,
mask.
Just as well they don't recognize
u.s." said he.
Somebody in town will give us
away" suggested Shorty, the chore boy
No. 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 a moment more
the little band had emerged from the
shelter of the swamp and so came into
full view of its objective point.
Shingleville consisted Of a big mill.
the yards, now nearly empty Of lum-
Der, the large frame boarding house,
the Office, the stable, a store, two sa-
looms and dozen dwellings. The par
ty at once fixed it's eyes on this colIec-
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 1t found the boss and the fore
man standing alone on the sawdust. re-
volvers drawn.
DAILY traced line with his toe.
The f1rst 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 a mob.
Days river men were still on drive. He
knew the mill men too well to depend
on them. Truth to tell, the possibility
of such raid as this had not occurred
to him for the simple reason that he
did not anticipate the discovery of his
completely with the forces of nature.
Skillfully carried out, the plan was a
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.
tense was good.
DO you know what's going to hap
pen to your said a voice from the
group. The speaker was Railway, but
the contractor kept himself well in the
background. Were going to burn
your mill; we're going to burn your
yards; we're going to burn your whole
shooting match, you low lived whelp!'
Dyer" said Injun Charley simply,
shaking the wet scalp arms length to-
ward the lumbermen.
At this grim interruption a silence
foreman chewed nonchalant straw.
Down the still deserted street crossed
and recrossed the subtle occult inf1u-
ences of half hundred concealed
watchers. DAILY and his subordinate
were very much alone and very much
IN danger. Their last hour had come,
and they knew it.
With the recognition of the fact they |
raised their weapons in
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 |
off their feet, rolled them
over on the wet sawdust and finally |
ammed them both against the trestle,
where it held them, kicking and gasp
ng for breath, in choking cataract OF.
water. The pistols flew harmlessly in
o the air. For an instant the Fighting
Forty stared in paralyzed astonish-
nent Then tremendous roar of
aughter saluted this easy vanquish-
nent Of formidable enemy.
DAILY and Baker were pounced upon
md captured. There was no resistance
they were too nearly strangled for
hat. Little Solly and old Vanderhoof
urned off the water in the fire hydrant
IAAN AAONOhhCNtCO Tic 4OSG Lucy udQ 81
fectively employed.
There, blast your said Rollway
HARLEY, jerking the mill man to his
eet. How do you like too much wa
er, hey?"
The unexpected comedy changed the
arty's mood. 1t was no longer ques-
ion of killing. A number broke into
he store and shortly emerged bearing
ails of kerosene, with which they del
ged the slabs on the windward side
the mill. The flames caught the
tructure instantly. A thousand sparks,
orne by the offshore breeze, fastened
Ike so many singing insects on the
amber In the yard.
1t burned as dried balsam thrown on
camp fire. The heat of 1t drove the
nlookers far back in the village, where
silence they watched tho docfr11of;nr, |