Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-10-09
HESPER
HAN1LIN GARLAND
CHAPTER XXI.

L
X ally, half expecting pursuit. He
could see in the valley below
a = the town the cleaning white
tents Of the little army hesitant to
march, and its plan of invasion seemed
born of folly and madness. He spurred
bis horse down the trail to meet the
night which rose to meet him from the
valley like a chill, engulfing 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 group of four
men sitting about fire. At their call
he turned and rode up to them. They
We're 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, "Ive been
down to the Springs to induce those
.yaller legs to put of their e1pedi-
ton"
"What luck did We have?'
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 1t. But say,
Rob, does the captain know you're on
the road? There was a 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. l guess you better stay here
while ride up and tell the cap you're
here"
II 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 do We If they can"
Raymond was impressed with
Browns earnestness and by the ad-
mirahle loyalty Of his fellows camped
there in the snow. Boys, what are
you staying here for?" he asked. 'Thls
isn't picnic. What do you do it for?"
Brown answered, 1--WE do it because
we want to help these miners stand off
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
up here the way they talk a dain'--
with Calling guns and all that. The
boys have been rollin' logs for fort
all day. You can just about see 1t
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 o
quarrel not their own, moved by a
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
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 grimly replied, 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 q roundabout NTH To the