Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-06-22
CHAPTER XXII.

IL could see in the valley below
4 l. the town the cleaning white
tents of the little army hesitant to
march, and it's plan Of invasion seemed
born of folly and madness. He spurred
his horse down the trail to meet the
night which rose to meet him from the
valley like a chill, engulfng flood. An
hours brisk ride brought him to the
open, and just at the edge of the peak
he came upon forlorn camp, small
tent under a fir, and a group of four
men sitting about fire. At their call
he turned and rode up to them. They
were an outpost of MunrO's guard, a
part of the Gordon he had thrown
round the peak and camp.
One of them knew him and, greeting
him pleasantly, asked where he had
been.
He replied with candOr, "Tve been
down to the Springs to induce those
'yaller legs to put off their expedi-
ton"
"What luck did We haveT
"None. They're coming"
Significant glances passed, and the
freight brought out stern lines on
their faces. At length Brown, the cor
poral, said solemnly: "Well, If they
| want fight they can have it. But say,
Rob, does the captain know you're on
the road? There was hullabaloo in
town about you last night. A lot of the
fellers think you went down to give
away the camp, and some said II you
ever came back they'd string you up.
| Now, l guess you better stay here
while I ride up and tell the cap you're
here"
81 don't think that's necessary, but
you might jog along with me If you
want to 60. Otherwise I'll go alone"
"Well, I'll tell We, Rob-" said Brown
in an embarrassed way, "these mon
keys on the peak have got an awful
slant against you and Kelly, and they's
two or three fellcrs who are working
against you underhand right along.
You don't want to take no chances.
They'll do We if they can"
Raymond was impressed with
Browns earnestness and by the adj
mirable loyalty of his fellows camped
there in the snow. "Boys, what are
YOU staying here for?" he asked. This
isn't picnic. What do you do it forv
Brown answered, eve do it because
we want to help these miners stand or
the 'plutes.'
Raymond unused. "But you're friend
" toward Kelly & Raymond"
"Sure thing. You fellers are all right.
You've punched cows, and Kelly is an
old broncho buster himself. But let me
tell We this, Rob, we're goin' to need
YOU and your men If these chaps come
uD here the way they talk o DOM
with Calling guns and all that. The
boys have been rollin' logs for fort
all day. You can just about see II
from here-just on that point"
".Well. suppose we ride along" said
RAYMOND. and as he took last look
around his heart warmed to these
rough souls who had taken sides In
quarrel not their own, moved by
blind desire to aid their fellows In
war against privilege and social caste
Brown called another man out Of the
group to ride with them, and they
started away. On the hill east OF the
town and overlooking the valley lights
could be seen Pickering. The corporal
lifted his arm and pointed that way.
"There they are building the fort"
Raymonds blood began to stir, his
military instruction to freshen. and for
a moment as lie paused there in the
darkness he understood something OF
Munro's Joy in a defensive campaign,
but he said aloud: "It's all a mistake,
Brown. They can't afford to fight the
sheriff. The law Is on his side"
Brown grimly replied, "Well, We'll
give him a little run for his money, |
anyway"
Raymond smiled at the boyish quail
ity of this remark, but made no COM
ment upon it, and allowed himself to
be led by roundabout path to the