The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-12-04
err and bis gang was at my back. sure

men or more out there now-right at
the corner"
Are you sure?"
YES; I was a-listening to 'em when
you give me such a start"
What were they saying?"
Il couldn't hear a word"
Give warning at the first move to
get into the house. Blaze away witt
your gun II anybody tries to climb on
to the porch"
Porter had heard nothing, but wal
wide awake, watching by the Deht of
the lamp that hung at the head of the
stairway. And after a caution to vigi.
lance l returned to my chair.
For half ar hour l listened closely.
The men we're open-eyed but silent.
The storm kept up Its mournful muir.
muir, but no sound that / could at
tribute to man came to my stralning
ears.
Suddenly there was a cry from the
hall.
Who's there?" II was Porter's
| voice.
An instant later there was q crash
OF glass, an explosion seemed to shake
the house. and there was q rush Of
many feet.
open. Lockhart, Wilson and Brown
crowding close behind me. A body Of
men filled the hallway, and Porter was
struggling in the hands Of three ruff.
fans. His revolver, whose shot we
had heard, had been knocked from his
hand and lay on the floor.
The sudden appearance of four more
weapons in the open doorway startled
the enemy into pausing for a moment.
/ sprang forward and gave the nearest
Of Porter's assailants a blow that sent
him staggering into the midst of his
band, and with a wrench Porter tore
himself loose from the other two and
was with us again.
What does this mean?" l cried an.
grily to the invaders. What are you
here for?"
There were perhaps a dozen of them
altogether and in the midst of the
band l saw the evil face and snake
eyes Of Tom Terrill. At the sight Of
his repulsive features l could scarce
refrain from sending a bullet in his di
rection.
Darby Meeker growled an answer.
you know what we're here for"
you have broken into a respect
able house like a band of robbers"
cried. What do you want?"
You know what we want, Mr.. VIII
ton," was the surly answer. Give u:
the boy and we won't touch you
And If not?"
There was silence for a few mo
ments.
What are you waiting for?" growl
ed a voice from beyond the turn O
the hall.
At the sound I thrilled to the limos
fiber. Was 1t not the growl of tn
Wolf? Could l be mistaken in thos
tones? l listened eagerly for anothe
word that might put it beyond doubt
WELL, are you going to give hin
up?" asked the hoarse voice of Meek
er.
There has got to be some bette
reason for it than your demand"
We'll. we've got reasons enougl
here. Stand ready. boys"
Look out!" I said to my men, wit
a glance behind.
At l turned l saw without noting 1
that Wainwright and Fitzhugh ha
come out of the boys room to take
hand in the impending trouble. Loci
hart and Wilson slipped in front c
me.
Get back and look after the boy,
whispered the former. I'VE can hol
'em here"
Move ahead there!" shouted
fierce voice that again thrilled the ca
and heart with the growl of the Wo
What are you afraid of"
Stand fast, boys" I said to m
men. wainwright, keep close to tn
bedroom" Then l shouted defianc
to the enemy. 1.-THE first mar ths
moves forward gets killed! There ar
eight revolvers here"
Then l saw that Wainwright ha
come forward, despite my biddin,
eager to take his share of the o.
slaught. And by some freak of tn
g spirit of the perverse the boy, who ha
shown himself so timid during tn
day, had nov slipped out of his rool
r and climbed upon a chair to see whit
the excitement was about, as thong
danger and death were the last thing
g in the world with which he had
4 reckon.
1 caught a glimpse of his form o,
Of the tail Of my eye as he mounte
the chair in his night dress. 1 turne
with an exclamation to Wainwrigl
and was leaping to him from
possible bullet, when there was 4 ros
of rage and the voice OF Terrill rar
through the hall:
"Tricked again!" hs cried with
dreadful oath. IT'S the wrong boy
d (To BE CoNTINUED.)
q