Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-03-09


 go There was d movement among the mon which he felt as I protest. but he continued: "I hate to do this esna- clally now in the winter. but you ear, see how it is. If 1 were in yomr places 1 would go to Reese and the otb. CT independents and stick by 'em help them fight this thing through on fair play lines
 His slight pause brought no response. When he began again his voice was softened And. boys ride up and tell Matt q good word. He's hard hit''
 His voice trembled dangerously. and he was forced to stop.
 The tension was eaSe,l away hv Nary. one of the older men. who broke out with deep lunged profanity in order to conceal his good heart.
 Well, l don't know how the rest of you feel, but I want 10 turn right in and put this mine into shape again and lynch the dogs that blew Us up,"
 Raymond lifted his hand. Hold on. boys. Don't be too quick on the trig- ger. Keep cool till I ride up on the hill and take q look around and have little talk with Munro. We must rally all the Independents. which will take time, and, besides you must re- member l have very sick boy on my hands and there is Baker, who needs care. Don't rush. Let me go up and see what the sheriff seems likely to do. As I've told you before. I've no theory about the labor question I never was up against it before and Pm a little uncertain. I've always believed in the best man winning picked you fel- lows because yon were likely chaps I'm paying you the highest wages go- ing because you earn it. You're satis- fled, you say, and I don't see why we are not privileged to go ahead in our own way. l haven't felt any need of going into this fight for the benefit of the crowd till now. It looks now as though we should take hand. Any how. we'll give Munro another chance to do us justice, and if he don't, then well, we'll try some other plan.' He shook off this disagreeabe cloak of doubt. But be that as it may. boys. l shall never forget the good work you've done for me when you knew the crowd was against you"
 AS they stepped out into the warm afternoon sun Kelly, with jocular note in his voice, remarked, Well. Robbie, we're gents at leisure Nothing to do now but play the nurse'-here his voice swiftly changed-'or do bat tle"
 If it were not for the women and the sick I'd fight. We have nothing to lose now. and the boys are hot for it. Have you been up the street?"
 .No l have not"
 'I don't see what we can do with these two wounded men and the boy and the women on our hands. Matt, the real heart of this opposition is now in one man. If he were taken away these rowdy miners would scatter like grouse"
 Kelly turned quickly. "You mean Munro?'
 "I do! I'm going up to have an inter- view with him."
 Kelly laid big hand on his arm. You're takin' big risk. Let me go instead"
 No. you must stay here. l am going, and am going unarmed. I am safer with empty hands. Matt They will not shoot an unarmed man. I'm going to make one more appeal to Munro
 Mounting his horse Raymond rode rapidly out along the ridge toward the hill on which the fertilization stood. He passed now and then group of men who knew him. and while one or two greeted him pleasantly all the oth- CTS met his glance with menace. He felt the hot breath of their hate, but passed on without haste, rcgretting his action in leaving his revolverS behind him.
 The camp had eaten it's midday meal for even in time; M war men must eat; the miners had hastily devoured their rough food and were SWarmlng on the hillside overlooking the sheriff S encampment. The VedetteS were DIV Ouacked ill q small grove of tlrS to the left and a little below the fort (which was merely d log corral banked with dirt, and Munro was directing the shovel brigade at work on the walls Of the redoubt, which was growing rapid ly under the brisk movement of chat tering miners.
 As Raymond neared the crowd of on lockers he recognized Denver Dan and one or two other horsemen, but for the most part the spectators were stran- gers and plainly hostile.
 He had drawn rein to pass to the left when Brock stepped forth on foot and roughly called out:
 What's your business up hereT"
 II want to find Munro"
 "Well, you go back to your shack and keep out of this.'
 Raymond smiled. When did you become Yoadmaster?'
 Brock raised his voice so that the rapidly gathering crowd might hear. Here's the spy that warned the sher-