The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-05-14
The Spoilers.
By REX E. BEACH,.
:. copyrirht 1905. E. Beach.
T Continued from last week.

=, T.. :;Ites forces, arter all:
i 80 =: = Ecws would never reach
- :: y, and instead of accom-
=. u: - end, he and his friends
h: I IT t''.~sclves into the realms
of o'!.!l~.y. where the soldiers could
De c,:...',sy2i against them with impu-
nity. w'Ee"e prices would rest upon
the heads. Innocent blood had been
shed. co;:rt 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
IN. Then Glenister assembled his
men. speaking to them plainly:
Boys. this is 10 victory. In fact.
we're worse n than we were before
and our biggest fight is coming. There's
a chance to get away now before day
light and before we're recognized, but
if we're seen here at sunup We'll have
to stay and fight Soldiers will be sent
against us, but if we hold out, and the
struggle is fierce enough, it may reach
to Washington. This will be differ
ent kind Of fighting now, though. 1t
will be warfare pure and simple. How
many of you will stick
"All Of U.s." said they in unison, and.
accordingly. preparations for 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 a 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 e1-
plosions, and. taking down the receiv-
er, was answered by Cherry Malotte.
Thank God, you're SAFE" she be-
gan. THE men have just csme in and
the whole town is awske over the riot.
They say you've killed ten people in
the fight Is it true?'
He explained TO her briefly that ali
was well, hut she broke in:
wait. wait, Mcnamara has called
for troops and you'll all be shot. On.
what a terrible night it has been! ]
haven't been to bed. I'm going mad.
Now. listen carefully: Yesterday Helen
went with Struve to the Sign Of the
Sled and she hasn't come back"
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.
II can't raise the roadhouse on the
wire and-Something dreadful has hap
pened 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 its 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. Glen!Ster. ana
you can't quit us like this" said one
ancrily. "The trail to town IS good.
and we'll take it il you do" Roy saw
they feared he was deserting. feared
that he had heard some alarming ru-
NOR Of which they did not know.
We'll let the mine go. boys. Tor !
can't ask you to do what refuse 10 90
myself. and yet it's not fear that's
sending me. There's woman in dan
ger. and | must go. She courted ruin
to save us all, risked her honor to try
and right wrong-and-I'm afraid OF
what has happened while we were
fighting here. | don't ask - to stay
till come back-it wouldn't be square,
and you'd better go while you have
chance. As for mel gave up the oid
claim once-I can do it again" He