The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-10-10
HAMLIN GARLAND

round the peak and camp.
One of them knew him and, greeting
him pleasantly, asked where he had
been.
He replied with candor, give been
down to the Springs to induce those
.yaller legs to put OFF their expedi-
ton"
ssWhat luck did ye haye|
ssNone. 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 if you
ever came back they'd string you up.
Now, I g1ess you better stay here
while TT 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 go. Otherwise I'll go alone"
.Well, I'll tell ye, 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 fellers who are working
against you underhand right along.
You don't want to take no chances.
They'll Go ye if they can."
RAYMOND was impressed with
Browns earnestness and by the ad-
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 for?"
Brown answered, ''We do it because
we want to help these miners stand OF
the 'plutes.' !"
RAYMOND mused. sBut you're friend
" toward Kelly & Raymond"
ssSure thing. You fellers are all right
You've punched cows, and Kelly is an
old t-oncho buster himself. But let me
tell ye this, Rob, were goin' to need
YOU and your men If these chaps come
up here the way they talk O doin'-
with Gatling guns and all that The
boys have been rollin' logs for fort
all day. You can just about see it
from here-just on that point"
.Well. suppose we ride along" said
RAYMOND, and as he took a 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"
Raymond's blood began to stir. his
military instruction to freshen, and for
a moment, as he paused there in the
darkness, he understood something Of
Munro's JOY in defensive campaign,
but he said aloud: Its all mistake,
Brown. They can't afford to fight the
sheriff. The law is on his side.''
Brown grinly replied, 4.Well,' We'll
give him 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 a roundabout path to the
west size OF the town. At last his
guide paused. you're all right now"
..I wish you'd tell Jack I'm here and
that I want to see him. said Ray
mond. I'm much obliged to YOU"
ooh. that's all right, Rob; take keer O.
yerself." And the two men rode off.
Good luck, boys"
As he rode up 70 Kelly's cabin and
called out. Hello, the house, Matt
opened the door and, with lad on
either size Of him, peered out s'Is that
you, Rob?"
''The very same. Matt
well, now, wait Whist and LII
come and put out your horse"
Mrs. Kelly called cheerily: Rob,
we're glad to see you safe returned.
Are you hungry"
He slid from his horse. Il am emp
ty as a wolf in March" he replied.
'Where's LOUISE
Louis. He hasn't returned. Didn't
you leave hin at the Springs?'
no. He left early this morning and
Ann thought he had bit the stage road
for the camp. 1 hope he hasn't gone
wrong
This news took away 4 large part Of
his pleasure in the friendly hearth to
which he was welcomed and, removing
his outer garments. he bent to the
Dlaze in sileIce While Mrs. Kelly spread
some food bafore him.
Kelly listened to the news of Louis
I<F