Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-10-19


friends together again, into that close
bond which had been theirs without
interruption until this recent change
In the younger had led him to choose
| paths at variance with the old mans
ideas; and now they spoke, heart TO
heart, In the half serious, half testing
ways of old, while beneath each whim-
steal irony was that mutual love and
understanding which had consecrated
their partnership.
Arriving at the end Of the road, the
vigilantes debouched and went into the
darkness of the canyon behind their
leader, to whom the trails were faml-
lar. He babe them pause finally and
gave his last instructions.
''They are on the alert, so you want
| to be careful Divide into two parties
!! and close in from both sides. creeping
! as near to the pickets as possible with
out discovery. Remember to wait for
| the last blast. When 1t comes, cut
loose and charge like Sioux. Don't
shoot to kill at first, for they're only
| soldiers and under orders, but If they
stand-well, every man must do his
work"
Dextry appealed to the dim figures
forming the circle.
II leave it to you, gents. IL it amt
better for me to go inside than for
the boy. I've had more experience
with giant powder, an Pm SO blamed
used up an near gone 1t wouldn't hurt
II they did get me. while he's right In
his prime"
Glenister stopped him. II won't
yield the privilege. Come now-to
your places. men,
They melted away to each side while
the old prospector paused to wiring his
partners hand.
I'D ruther it was me, lad, but II
they get you-God help 'em"' He
stumbled after the departing shadows,
leaving Roy alone. With his naked
fingers, Glenister ripped open the
powder cases and secreted the contents
upon his person. Each cartridge held
dynamite enough to devastate a vii
lage, and he loaded them inside his
pockets, inside his shirt and every
where that he had room, till he was
| burdened and cased in an armor one
hundredth part Of which could have
blown him from the face Of the earth
so utterly as to leave no trace except,
perhaps, a pit ripped out Of the noun
tain side. He looked to his fuses and
saw that they were wrapped In oil
paper, then placed them in his hat.
Having finished, he set out walking
with difficulty under the weight he
carried.
That his choice of location had been
well made was evidenced by the fact
that the ground beneath his feet slop-
I'd away to a basin out of which bub-
,led spring. 1t furnished the drink
ing supply OF the Midas, and he knew
every inch of the crevice it had worn
down the mountain, so felt his way
cautiously along At the bottom Of the
hill where it ran out upon the level 1t
had worn considerable ditch through
the soil, and into this he crawled on
hands and knees. His bullying clothes
handicapped him so that his gait was
slow and awkward, while the rain had
swelled the streamlet till it hickled
over his calves and up to his wrists,
chilling him so that his muscles cramp-
ed and his very bones cried out with
| It. The sharp SchiSt cut into his palms
I till they were shredded and bleeding,
while his knees found every jagged
bit of bedrock over which he dragged
himself. He could not see an arms
length ahead without rising, and, hav-
ing removed his slicker for greater
freedom Of movement, the rain beat
upon his back till he was soaked and
| sodden and felt streamlets cleaving
downward between his ribs. Now and
1 again he squatted upon his launches,
| straining his eyes to either side. The
banks were barely high enough to
shield him. At last he came to bridge
Of planks spanning the ditch and was
about to rear himself for another look
when he suddenly fiattened into the
stream bed, half damming the waters
with his body. 1t was for this he had
so carefully wrapped his fuses A man
passed over him so close above that he
might have touched him. The sentry
paused few PAGES beyond and accost-
ed another, then retraced his steps
over the bridge. Evidently this was
the picket line, SO Roy wormed his
way forward till he saw the blacker
blackness of the mine buildings, then
drew himself, dripping, out from the
bank. He had run the gantlet safely.
Since evicting the owners, the receiy-
er had erected substantial houses in
place of the tents he had found on the
mine. They were Of frame and CORFU
gated iron, sheathed within and suited
| to withstand moderate exposure.
| The partners had witnessed the opera
| ton from distance, but knew nothing
about the buildings from close exami-
| nation.
A thrill of affection for this place
warmed the young man. He loved this
old mine. 1t had realized the dream OF
his boyhood and had answered the
hope he had chung to during his long
fight against the northland. 1t had
come to him when he was dishearten-
ed, bringing cheer and happiness. and
had yielded itself like Il bride. Now it
seemed crime to ravage it.
He crept toward the nearest wall
and listened Within was the sound
of voices thOuph the windows were