Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-01-14
The Spoilers.
BY REX e. BEACH.
copyrisht 1905. by
BY REX e. BEACH.


well made was evidenced by the fact
that the ground beneath his feet slop-
cd away to n basin ont of which bub-
Fled 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 it
had worn n considerable ditch through
the soil, and into this lie crawled on
hands and knees. His bulgng clothes
handicapped him SO that his gait was
slow and awkward, while the rain had
swelled the streamlet till it tricklcd
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 schlst cut into his palms
till they were shredded and bleeding,
while his knees found every jagged
bit Of bedrock over which he dragged
himself. lie could not see an arms
length ahead without rising, and, hay-
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
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 fattened into the
stream bed, half dammlng the waters
with his body. It 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 receiv-
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 a. 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 a bride. Now it
seemed crime to ravage 1t.
He crept toward the nearest wall
and listened Within was the sound
Of voices, though the windows were
dark, showing that the inhabitants
We're on the alert. Beneath the foun-
datiOns he made mysterious prepara-
tons, then sought out the Office build
ing and cook house, doing likewise.
He found that back of the seeming re-
pose of the Midas there was strained
expectancy.
Although suspense had heightened
the time out of all calculation, he
judged he had been gone from his COM
panions at least an hour and that they
must be in place by now. II they were
| Motif anything failed at this eleventh
! hour-weli, those were the fortunes Of
war. In every enterprise, however
carefully planned, there comes time
when chance must take It's turn.
He made his way inside the black
smith shop and fumbled for match.
Just as he was about to strike it he
heard the swish Of oiled clothes pass
ing and waited for some time. Then,
igniting his punk and hiding it under
his coat, he opened the door to listen
The wind had died down now, and the
rain sang unsteady upon the metal
roofs.
| He ran swiftly from house to house,
and, when lie had done, at the apices
Of the triangle he had traced three
glowing Goals were sputtering.
j The final bolt was launched at last.
He stepped down into the ditch and
drew his .45, while to his tautened
senses 1t. seemed that the very hills
leaned forth in GREATNESS pause, that
| the rain had ceased and the whole
night hushed Its thousand voices. He
/ found his lower jaw set SO stiffiy that
the muscles ached. Leveling his wea-
i pom at the caves of the bunk house, he
pulled trigger rapidly, the bang, bang.
bang. six times repeated, sounding dull
and dead beneath the blanket of mist
that oyerhung A shout sounded be-
hind him, and then the shrek of n
Winchester ball close over his head.
He turned In time to see another shot
stream out Of the darkness, where n
sentry was firing at the fash of his
gun, then bent himself double and
plunged down the ditch.
i With the first impact overhead the
men poured forth from their quarters
armed and bristling, to be greeted by
yolley of gunshots, the thud of bull
lets and the dwindling whine of spent
lead. They leaped from shelter to
ind themselves girt with fitful hoop
of fire, for the strangers had spread
in the arc of circle and now emptied
their rifles toward the center The
defenders, however, maintained sur
prising order considering the sudden
ness of their attack and ran to Join
the sentries. whose positions could be
determined by the nearer flashes. The
voice Of a man in authority shouted
! loud commands. No demonstration
came from the outer yoids, nothing
but the wicked streaks that stabbed
the darkness. Then suddenly behind