The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-01-31

the United States forces, after all!
If so, the news would never reach
Washington. and instead of accom-
plishing his end, he and his friends
had thrust themselves into the realms
Of outlawry, where the soldiers could
be employed against them with impu-
nifty, where prices would rest upon
their heads. Innocent blood had been
shed, court property destroyed. Nc
Namara had them where he wanted
them at last They were at bay.
The unwounded prisoners were taken
to the boundaries OF the Midas and
released with such warnings as the
Imagination of Dextry could conjure
up Then Glenister assembled his
men, speaking to them plainly:
"Boys, this is no victory. In fact.
we're worse off than we were before,
and our biggest fight is coming. There!
chance to get away now before day
light and before we're recognized, but
IL we're seen here at sunup Wen have
to stay and fight. Soldiers will be sent
against us, but If we hold out. and the
struggle is fierce enough, 1t may reach
to Washington. This will be differ
ent kind of fighting now, though. II
will be warfare pure and simple. How
many of You will stick?"
"All Of u.s." said they In unison, and
accordingly, preparations for Il siege
were begun. Barricades were built,
ruins removed, buildings transformed
into blockhouses. and all through the
turbulent night the tired men labored
till ready to drop, led always by the
young giant, who seemed without IA
tigue.
1t was perhaps four hours after mid
night when man sought him out.
Somebody's calm you on the assay
office telephone-says it's life or death"
Glenister hurried to the building,
which had escaped the shock of the eX-
plosions, and, taking down the receiv-
err, was answered by Cherry Malotte.
Thank God, you're safer she be-
gan. "The men have just come in and
the whole town is awake over the riot.
They say you've killed ten people in
the fight. Is it true?"
He explained to her briefly that all
was well, but she broke in:
'Wait, wait! Mcnamara has called
for troops and you'll all be shot. Oh.
what a terrible night it has been! /
haven't been to bed. I'm going mad.
Now, listen carefully: Yesterday Helen
went with Strive to the Sign of the
Sled and she hasn't come back"
g The man at the end of the wire cried
out at this, then choked back his words
to hear what followed His free hand
began making strange, futile motions
as though he traced patterns In the air.
81 can't raise the roadhouse on the
wire and-something dreadful has hap
pened 1 know"
what made her go?" he shouted.
ITO save you," came Cherry's faint
reply. IF you love her, ride fast to
the Sign of the Sled or you'll be too
late. The Bronco Kid has gone there
At that name Roy crashed the instru-
ment to it's hook and burst out of the
shanty, calling loudly to his men.
whats up?
"Where are you going?'
"To the Sign of the Sled" he painted.
"We've stood by you, Glenister, and
you can't quit us like this said one
angrily. 1.-THE trail to town is good,
and We'll take it if you do" Roy saw
they feared he was deserving. feared
that he had heard some alarming ru-
NOR of which they did not know.
"Well let the mine so, boys, for l
can't ask you to do what refuse to do
myself, and yet it's not fear that's
sending me. There's n woman in dan
ger, and l must go. She courted ruin
to save us all, risked her honor to try
and right a wrong-and-Im afraid Of
what has happened while we were.
fighting here. l don't ask you to stay
till l come back-it wouldn't be square,
and you'd better go while you have a
chance. AS for, mel gave up the old
claim once-I can do it again." He
swung himself to the horses back, set
tied into the saddle and rode out
through the lane of belted men.