Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-12-13

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 as though he had
been an infant and there were coal
black arms entwined about his night
shirt and snow white teeth grinning
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
q locker on at all.
He had vaguely wondered why the
bell was still ringing. Now he let go
the rope and ran step or two for
ward. but they were four to two with
out him, and the four were armed, and
watch he must
The Sulivans 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
gllmpses of futtering calico and spar
king spurs as the glare grew more
and more intense. 1t was now as light
as day. Every board Of the main
building stood out in abnormal detail
against the blackened sky, while the
shadows Of the palisade made a glow
ing gridiron of the yard within.
The scuffle was over. Something was
happening that Tom could not see
when a fake Of redhot bark lit upon
his ear. He 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 his
bonds within reach of the burning
walls and with the fame Of fallen
brand licking the very camp bed on
which he lay.
This time Tom did not forget his
part. He ignored it 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 palsade. with torn night
shirts and clinched fists, defenseless,
but still defiant.
"Now, look you here, my fine gentle
menu exclaimed Hockey from his sad
die. "If you've got any sense between
you, let's see you show 1t. You'll
only cut things shorter If you don't.
What chance do you think you've got2
All, it's too late to look that way now,
you old foolp'
The doctors eyes were on his conVlct
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
If 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 at once" And
with his horse he stemmed 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.
"Is there single man who'll take
the coves' side in the time of need?
Let him speak now or forever after
hold his mouthp'
Not a 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
men if you stop where you are. Your
blood be on your own heads!"
And he cantered back to the palisade
with his chimney pot hat on the side
of his head and the hook stuck rakish-
ly against his ribs.
Tom ran up to him and caught his
rein.
"The women have got into the store
i saw the light-it's where they keep
the guns-will you leave them to me%
mo bloodshed, then; they're scarce"
"I'll make them prisoners"
"And none of your larks just yet~
Tom was gone. With horse pistol
In each hand, he dashed into the store
and caught Peggy and Miss Sullivan
in the act Of lifting down the fowling
pieces.
Surrender" he roGScd.
Miss Sullivan shrieked and hid her
face. Peggy advanced.
"Shoot woman If you dare" said
nhe. otis me that dares yer!
'Peggyv' he whispered.
"Tom~
81 am here to save you both. Do as
I tell you, and make her do the same.
Pm here to save you bothl' he repeat
ed aloud. "There are horses in the sta
BILE. Come with me, and I'll put you on
them. Undo those outer doors, Peggy"
He had said her name by accident.
She gave him warning glance. And
now Miss Sullivan stood her ground
steadfastly and, having recovered that
mettle which was In the blood, refused
to move until she knew what they
were going to do with her father anu
brother.
Nothing at oil" said Tom. tits you
they're after"
ME, inueed!
"The two Of you" said Tom. 1.-THE
men are all right, they've given In, but
IL