The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-01-24
strengthened a Lundredfold.


out guards, although he reasoned that
none but madmen would think of
striking there in the face Of the warn.
ing which he knew must have been
transmitted through Helen. Putting
on his raincoat he sought Stii,man.
Bring your niece over to my place
tonight. There's trouble in the air and
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 vigilantes
lay In hiding, impatient at their idle
ness and wondering at the lack Of eff
fort made toward their discovery, not
dreaming that Mcnamara had more
cleverly hidden plans behind. When
Cherry's note of warning came they
gathered In the back room and gave
voice to their opinions.
There's only one way to clear the
atmosphere" said the chairman.
"You bet" chorused the others.
"They've garrisoned the mines, so let's
go through the town and make clean
Job of it. Let's hang the whole out
fit to one post"
This met with general approval,
Glenister alone demurring. Said he:
at have reasoned it out differently. and
| want you to hear me through before
deciding. Last night l got word from
Wheaton that the California courts
are against us. He attributes it 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,
hours, our mines tied up for another
year, and who knows what else? May
be Il corruptec court next season. Sup
pose, on the other hand, we fail. and
somehow 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 it 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 reach the Poto-
mac. When Uncle Sam takes a hand
we'll get a square deal, so say let us
strike at the Midas tonight and take
her if we can. Some of us will go
down, but what of it,"
Following this harangue, he outlined
a plan which in its unique daring took
away their breaths. and as he filled 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 want for myself" he said, sis
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 heller?"
"We'll go YOU" the miners chimed
to a 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 a dissenting voice, and with the
firm hands of a natural leader the
young man took control.
Lets hurry up" said one. Its o
long 'mush' and the mud is knee deep"
"No walking for u.s." said Roy.
well go by train
by train? How can we get 4
train?"
"Steal it," he answered, at which
DeXtry grinned delghtedly at his
loose jointed 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 a 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 holloway 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 lay patiently waiting
waiting some word from the bulky
shadow which stood with folded arms
close against q square of gray, while
over their heads a wretched old man
paced back and forth, wrlnging his
hands, pausing at every turn to peer
out into the night and to humble the
name Of his sisters child.
CHAPTER XIX.
TA RLY in the evening Cherry Ma
lotte opened her door to find the
Bronco Kid on her step. He
- entered and threw off his rub
Der coat. Knowing him WELL she wait