Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-05-15
CHAPTER 7.

tact, there was something homogeneous in
the cleaning metals Of the railway that
wound itself, snake-like through the YER
dure-ciad country. and the little wayside
station had very desolate air save when
some big express train drew up for a few
minutes to board the small mailbag or
such stray passengers as the nearest set
Element beyond the hills had to send on
the road to civilization
There were only man and youth in
charge Of this depot, yet on this particu-
lar day the rough platform had a fair
complement of people. Strengthening
individuals they were, all clad alike in a
somber kind of uniform, and sitting for
the most part in a stolid, gloomy fashion.
1t was only when they moved in obedi-
ence to the sharp, rough voice of max
WHO seemed to be guardian to the whole
party that the clink of iron revealed the
fact that these men were prisoners. The
man in charge of the little railway sta
tion had eyed the gang obviously as they
had alighted from a special carriage in
the last express
1t seems mean," he said to himself, "to
eat when maybe it's hours since they have
tasted food. There's one of them" he
unused on, CHANGING toward the end of the
row, that looks fair done out Not a
bad face that, neither; must have been
handsome. At any rate, he don't look
like the others
lie man about whom he unused was sit
ting with his hands clasped between his
fneec. and his eyes fixed almost abstract
edly on the distant beauty of the land
scape. At first it would have been easy
to have classed him in with the rest of
his companions, but the eyes of the north
counuymen has been acute There was
distinct difference in this one prisoner
from the others. He was slighter. more
delicate build, and, though his face had
worn, sad expression, there was nothing
evil in it.
lie seemed to be one by himself, for the
man further noticed that, as the warders
passed to and fro, or stood speaking TO
each other, there seemed to be a kind of
mute conversation passing between their
charges.
The thought flashed through the mind
OF the station master that it was a dan
gerous looking gang, that upon which he
Was gazing, and even while this thought
crept into definite form he sprung TO his
feet.
All at once that line of gray-clad au-
tomata was moving mass. The still sum-
mer air was broken by discordant voices
and brutal cries The two warders were
surrounded.
The attack had been so swift. so unex-
Fected, that they were taken off their
guard. Before they had time to get AT
the'r Tevolvers their arms were pinioned.
and the weapons had been dragged from
them.
Inc station master was not one to stand
by and see such things without Joining
In. He rushed from his Office across the
line Everything passed in horrid CON
FUSED Fashion before his eyes vet he had
instantly noted that the man who had at
tracted his attention as being different
from the rest was not one of those who
had brought on the assault.
ms man was standing apart, leaning
IN half-dazed fashion against the shed
His feet were chained together. vet all at
once, as the man from the Office sDranp
on TO the platform, he, too, moved for
ward. Swift as lightning he pushed him
self into the struggling throng. With
such heavy loads about I IS ankles if was
not easy for him to move yet a kind of
superhuman strength passed into his veins
as he pulled of the man who was irving
20 choke the life out of the poor creature
lying at his feet.
NO" he cried, and his voice sounded
GRAINED and hoarse, and vet was fuIl of
authority. You shall not murder him
He has done you no harm What do Won
wHnt-yOur freedom? Well take it while
you can; but don't stain your hands with
an Innocent mans blood ~
His words were greeted by a storm of
cries. some menacing some exultant. Ii
looked for moment TO the station mas
ter as If he, toe, would lie on the ground
beside the salf-strangled man who, but a
moment before, had been guardian to this
unruly crowd; but the common sense that
lay beneath his words struck home sud
denly
Having robbed the warders of their
keys. as we'll as their weapons. ii was an
easy matter to unlock the chains from
the feet of all the prisoners, and in an in
crcdlhly short time the station platform
held none of them save that one who. at
risk OF his own life. had stood between his
late comrades and murder q
Not knowing exactly how 10 act. the
station master had watched these pro-
cee6lnss standing aloof He was ready 10
aave rushed TO the warders' assistance
had ne not been forestalled in this. As
1t vas, he busted himself pouring hot
water between the pale lips of the younger
OF the Two warders, who had been less
Dduly mauled IMAM his companion. and
while he did so. his eyes went with "a
mlration TO the Inquire of the convict who
still knelt beside the other man. endaov.
Or'Ig TO give him help.
Hes brave lad, and no mistake" said
20, az
10 have picked him out from the rest
Whatever brought him to this. he's not fit
20 be wasting his life out in a prison
yard, that's pretty sure -
And then Ben awoke to the gravity of
the situation. He looked about him Cor
the lad that generally helped him: hut at
the first sound of the struggle this boy
had disappeared There was no one but
himself and the convict to give aid to
the two warders till the train arrived.
1t took him very little time 10 drag
the warder from the ground to the bench
and the o,her nan sat and looked at him
ne be moiSteued tie lips and the browS of
the injured man. The prisoner recovered
his strength and his calmnesS He Swal-
owed q mouthful or Two of food that had
been given to him, not because he cared
III the lesst 10 eat II. OUT because ne had
been touched by the kindness shown him.
ami il was natural instinct with him to
reJmn courtesy for courtesy. After a few
minutes Ben turned TO him again
He is come to, he said but don't
rhiEk be will be ht for much this day or
two. 1t was pretty quick work. and /
am sorry for this bit of land with all
these scoundrels loose upon it,
Where viii they goT' asked the con
Wet in 4 low voice.
His eyes wandered around The land
scape, that lay SO placid and beautiful in
the sunshine.
Il expect" Ben said. thouShtfully, this
VS. put-up thing. There must have
been one OF them as knows their ways
about here The town, as they call it, lies
a good three miles away; but they will