The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-05-08

none but madmen would tn.
striking there tn the face OF the "
ing which he knew must have NC
transmitted through Helen. Putin
on his raincoat he sought Stillman.
"Rring your niece over to my place
tonight. There's trouble in the air aSli'
I'm prepared for It,"
'She hasn't returned from her ride
yet. I'm afraid she's caught in the
storm" The judge gazed anxiously
into the darkness.
During all the long day the vigilantS-
| lay in hidirg, impatient at their /"
ness and wondering at the lack of
{ fort made toward their discovery,
dreaming that Mcnamara had mo
cleverly hidden plans behind. When.
Cherry's note of warning came they
gathered in the back room and ga%
voice to their opinions. ~~
There's only one way to eli
/ atmosphere" said the chaTma":
You bet" choruSed the ott .....
"Theyve garrisoned the mines. so I1et.S
go through the town and make "a
! Job of it. Let's hang the whole
| fit to one post
This met with general approN-.s
Glenister alone demurring. Said he:
81 have reasoned it out differently. ana
want you to hear me through before
deciding. Last night got word from
! Wheaton that the California co1rrs
! are against us. He attributes 1t to,
! influence. but whatever the reason. we
are cut off from all legal help either
IN this court or on appeal. Now. sup
pose we lynch these officials tonight.
what do we gain? Martial law in two
hours, our mines tied up for another
wear. and who knows what else? May
be a corrupter court next season. Sup
pose. on the other hand, we fail, and
somehow I feel that We will, for that
boss is no fool. What then? Those OF
us who don't find the mOrgue will end
In jail. You say we can't meet the
soldiers. say we can and must. We
must carry this row to them. We
must Jump 1t past the courts Of ALASKA.
past the courts Of California, and up
to the White House, where there's one
honest man. at least. We must do
something to wake up the men In
Washington. We must get out Of poll
tics, for Mcnamara can beat us there.
Although he's a strong man he can't
corrupt the president. We have one
shot left, and It must ''each the Poto-
mac. When Uncle Sam takes a hand
we'll get square deal, so I say let us
strike at the Midas tonight and take
her II we can. Some OF us Will 60
down, but what Of it?'
Following this harangue, he outlined
a plan which In it's unique daring took
away their breaths, and as he filed In
detail after detail they frightened with
excitement and that love Of the long
chance which makes gamblers Of those
who thread the silent valleys or tread
the edge of things. His boldness
stirred them and enthusiasm did the
rest
"All I want for myself" he said, 'ts
the chance to run the big risk. It's
mine by right"
Dextry spoke breathlessly to Slap
Jack in the pause which ensued:
"Ain't he a heller?"
well 90 you" the miners chimed
to q man. And the chairman added:
Lets have Glenister lead this forlorn
hope. am willing to stand or fall OH
his judgment" They acquiesced with
out dissenting voice, and with the
firm hands Of a natural leader the
young man took control.
Lets hurry up" said one. "It's q
long 'mush' and the mud is knee deep"
mo walking for u.s." said Roy.
We'll 60 by train"
by train? How can We get
train?"
"Steal it." be answered, at which
Dexry grinned delightedly at bis
loose jcinted companion, and Slapjack
| showed his toothless gums in answer.
saying:
HE sure is"
A few more words and Glenister.' ac-
companied by these two, slipped out
into the whirling storm, and half hour
later the rest followed. One by one
the vigilantes left, the blackness blot
ting them up an arms length from
the door, till at last the big, bleak
warehouse echoed hollowly to the
voice Of the wind and water.
Over in the eastern end Of the town,
behind dark windows upon which the
sheeted rain beat furiously, other
armed men ley patiently waiting
waiting some word from the bulky
shadow which stood with folded arms
close against a square Of gray, while
over their heads a wretched old man
paced back and forth, wringing bis
hands, pausing at every. turn to peer
out into the night and to humble the
name Of his sisters child.
CHAPTER XIX.
r ARLY In the evening Cherry Ma
- loffa oponod hor dor To find the