Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-05-16
it do? You will only KIN men or &c

CHIC c;.Se Ill his manu-. nave you
plenty Of wraps? It's cold up there,
they say. Let me arrange this robe
around your feet. Shall driver"
mo, thank you. will drive"
The horses were marvels. They
pushed up the steep, winding road with
steady stride, their heads swinging.
Not till they entered the canyon did
they lag into a walk. The clouds
hung low. IN great gray masses, cover
ing even the secondary peaks. Patches
of snow began to appear at the road
side. 1t was bleak, inhospitable and
silent world
There is something ominous in this
Stiffness" Ann said Mt last.
where do you suppose we will meet
Munro's menu"
Anywhere after we leave the half
way house, according to report"
you know this man MunroY
"I've met him.
as he as terrible rs people think
him?"
HE seemed very boyish to me and
not ut all terrible"
"The morning papers stated that he
had assumed absolute control up there,
and that his men We're drilled in true
. military fashion"
$50 much the better for u.s." answer
| ed Ann, "for he will see that we are
protected"
At about II o'clock they reached the
wide mountain meadow out Of which
the Bear creek fell The clouds hung
Just above their heads, broad, seam
less gray roof.
At the halfway house they found a
stage load of people and several freight
ers, and every mans mouth was agape.
The tavern was n survival of the
days when railroads We're OF the far
away future-a long, low log structure
with roof Of dirt out of which dead
weeds Haunted. The front room, which
swarmed with men In rough clothing,
seemed to be country store and post
office as well US an eating house. A
small, active old woman met Ann with
toothless grin. "Step right this way
and get out o. the smudge."
Ann followed her into n minute bed
room which opened off the dining room.
The old woman began to clatter. Put
off your things here My, but them's
fine furs! Did We drive up from the
Springs? Are you going on to the
campT
YES"
"Waal, you'll find it lively up there!
AS near as / can learn they mean BIT"
she whispered. "Some O. Jack Mum
ro's men are in there now eatin'. They
keep mighty sharp watch on who
comes in these days. Soon's you're
ready I'll put you and your man down
| Mt my end of the table and I'll look
after ye."
Ann laid aside her furs, but retained
her hat, and as she re-entered the room
made dazzling appeal to those rough
fellows, who. eyed her with sly side
glanccs.
Braide, already seated, rose to meet
her. 1--WE have reached m outpost Of
the guard and will be Intercepted be-
fore we leave, fear"
II am quite ready to meet Them" she
replied, bending to her plate. "They
can't refuse to let us pass"
| The talk at the table was not illu-
minating. Each man apparently strove
to fill his paunch before his fellow
Only one of them seemed to study Ann
and her companion with candid inter-
est. This was n small man with q
chin beard and an eye as keen rs that
Of blue jay. AS the other men filled
l Az md l,,gt a. \ 4 I y
carelessiy tool; Il sc,.t near Brai,.c.
II reckon I've seen you before" lie
began pleasantly.
II shouldn't wonder. I'm DR.. Braide
Of Valley Springs"
where you aimin' to go now, If it's
fair questions"
ITO Skytown."
Coin to treat somebody" asked the
old woman, who was lowering near.
Ann interposed. Yes, lie is going up
to treat my brother Louis, who is lying
III at Mr.. Raymond's cabin"
The stranger glowed again. Didn't
see nothin' Of the slerifT's army OH the
way. did yep Here he wnked al
Braide.
| liz aoSloA 4NOl
don't think they've left the valley yet
I'D advise EN- not to. I'm going
over to the camp myself, and II yo,
don't mind I'll jest nachcrly jog along
rod or two ahead Of you-to show
you the road"
AS he rose to go the stranger said
"If SO be 1t you folks have any inhu
| ,,,ttl Dnl, It,,
into joining the movement It'll be
mighty sight safer for him and u bi,
help to the miners"
After the miner left the room Braid
said: "We'rc in the enemys country
He was plainly warning us, and hi
going along is in the nature of an arm
: cd guard"
Ellis escort may be of use to u.s." re
piled Ann. "Who was that man?" sh
asked Of the old woman, who fairl,
whispered her answer.
THAT'S old Steve Adams. He's Dos
of this squad. All six o. them men ar
Munro's pickets."
AS Ann and the doctor drove on til
; clouds began to lift. rolling slowly
ponderously, reluctantly upward from
the tlmbered slopes.
Their guide rode rapidly, sisnalin,
the doctor now and then to keep pace
with him, and after nearly an hour O
fairly level ground the road entered
another canyon and crawleI upwurt
along prodigious wall, which bea
! back the clashing roar OF a small bu
very swift stream Of water.
1t must have been about S o'clocl
when they rounded the great base o
the Black Cone att the head of til,
] canyon and looked away across til,
, big camp and far out upon the vale,
to the west.
Adams. their guide, was consider
, able distance in advance when
couple of horscmcn encountered them
After moments conference one turn
cd back, and the other came on swiftly
AIMS heart glowed with the hop,
lint 4 tai,