Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1907-11-22

and still. He watched II keenly, with
his ears. as II were, upon the hut be-
hind. At last the door reOpened, and
he heard the striking Of lucifers. &c
companied by another sound, as Of
something being dragged from the hut.
He looked round, and 1t was Ginger's
bed. The overseer lay upon 1t, bound
and gagged.
Tom drew n deep breath. He had
expected worse.
Brummy and Roberts were now dis
patched TO the convicts' huts to tell the
rest ut the right moment what was
happening and how they would all be
free men within an hour If they alb
stained from Interference, but dead
hien If they did not. Then the black
Crept up close to the palisade, while
Hockey rode to one side and the other
two hid behind trees. Meanwhile the
overscer's hut was beginning to crackle
and all ut once Tom saw the shadow
OF his tree leap out toward the pnIisade
upon Il ground of glarIng red.
Ring! RinGw cried Hockey from
| his horse
Almost with his words q terrific
clang clang. clnng, burst out from
amid the red gums leaves, and almost
with the alarm couple of white fig
ures leaped out into the red glare be-
hind the palisGde.
Tom stood and watched like an actor
who has forgotten he is on the stage
himself
lie saw the white figures dash
through the gate and black one glide
In front Of 1t next moment. He saw
Nat Sullivan stop running. seize his
fathers arm and point eXcitedly to-
ward the burning hut He saw them
both about to turn when the son was
lifted off his legs rs though he had
been an infant. and there were coal
black arms entwincd about his night
shirt and snow white teeth grlnning
over his shoulder. Hockey Simpson
galloped up. Slipper and Wall-eye dart
ed from behind their trees All had
pistols In their hands and masks upon
their faces, and the masks reminded
Tom that he was looking on through
one himself and had no business to be
a locker OH Mt all
lie had vaguely wondered why the
bell was still ringing. Now he let go
the rope and run step or two for
ward, but they were four to two with
out him, and the four were armed, and
watch he must
The SullIvans were being dragged or
driven backward upon the palisade
Tom could make little Of the swaying.
struggling group. for Hockey Simpson
brought up the rear on his horse, but
through the animals legs he had
glimpses Of fluttering calico and spar
king spurs rs the glare grew more
and more intense. 1t was now rs light
as day. Every board of the main
building stood out in abnormal detail
against the biackened sky. while the
shadows Of the palisade made a glow
Ing gridiron of the yard within.
The scufIie was over. Something was
happening that Tom could not see
when fake Of redhot bark lit upon
his ear. lie was face about In time to
see the roof of the burning hut tumble
In and column Of clean flame spout
high Into the night. And there was
the wretched Ginger writing In bis
bonds within reach Of the burning
walls and with the fame Of q fallen
brand licking the very camp bed on
which he lay.
This time Tom did not forget his
part. lie ignored 1t and had the over
seer out Of harms way in few sec
onds. In two more his mask was
among the rest and his pistol pointed
with the others at the two white fig
ures that now stood side by side
against the palisade. with torn night
shirts and clinched fists, defenseless,
but still defiant.
Now, look you here, my fine gentle
men" exclaimed Hockey from his sad
die. III you've got any sense between
you, let's see you show 1t. You'll
only cut things shorter II you don't
What chance do you think you've got?
All, it's too late to look that way now,
you old fOOlr'
The doctors eyes were on his convict
huts; the men were pouring out of
them pellmell. Hockey Simpson wheel
ed his horse and rode up to them with
magnificent air. dropping his reins
to wave his battered chimney pot as
II 1t were q generals cooked hat.
My lads" cried he. your kind
master would call upon you to stand
by him In his hour Of need. Now's the
time to show him your gratitude. Stop.
Stop! Not all Of you ut Oncew And
with his horse he stemmed a rush of
Jealous spirits who explained them
selves In chorus as they unwillingly
fell back.
Stand by him" cried one. Get at
him. you mean. Only give us the word
and we'll take him off your hands,
And cut his throat
AN slit his juggler"-
And Mats after
1.-THE bluidy tyrants"
Hockey waved them back.
lis there q single man who'll tako
the cOves' side In the time of need?
Let him speak now or forever after
hold his MOUTH
Not convict stirred.
Then" said Hockey. you leave the
rest to US, and don't you interfere.
You're dead men If you do. but free