Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-12-11
By
Stewart
Edward White


81 have tn he cried aloud.
He instructed a half dozen men to
provide themselves with saws, axes,
picks and shovels and march toward
the mill.
When near the structure the river
man saw the lank. black figure of the
mill owner mount a bony old horse
and clatter away into the forest.
Orde rapidly designated ten men of
his crew. You make things hum.
Get as much done as you can before
the sheriff comes, and when that sher-
III comes want you to go peaceably.
Understand"
Gave in? Not muchw cried Purdy
''See here" and Orde drew them
aside in earnest conversation. When
he had finished he clapped each of
them on the back. and all moved off,
laughing. to the dam.
Now, boys" he commanded the
others, mo row without orders. If
there's going to be a fight I'll give
the word"
The chopping crew descended to the
bottom OF the sluice, the gate of which
had been shut, and began immediately
to chop away at the apron.
The work had continued nearly an
hour when Orde commanded the fifty
or more idlers back to camp.
1.-THE sheriff will be here pretty
quick now"
"And leave them to fight alone?
Guess not" grumbled a tall. burly in
dividual.
Am 1 bossing this driver" demand
ed Orde.
The riverman growled.
Smack. smack. sounded Orde's fists.
The man went down in a heap, but
Immediately rebounded to his feet
Orde seized a peavy and stood with
the murderous weapon appraised.
Lie down, you hound. or I'll brain
you!' he roared at the top of his great
voice.
The man crouched, breathle5s.
"MarchI" commanded Orde. You're
through"
The man sullenly arose and SLOUGH
ed away.
The other men turned to the trail,
leaving the ten at the sluice. When
within the fringe of the brush Orde
called a halt.
"Now, boys" he commanded, squat
down and lay low. If fight would do
any good you know mighty well III
fight And the boys won't be in Jail
any longer than it takes to get a wire
to DAILY to bail them out Smoke up
and don't bother"
They filed their pipes and settled
down to an enjoyment of the situa-
ton.
A half hour elapsed before the stu
alton developed further. Then Tom |
North's friend Jim, who had gathered |
his long figure on the top of stump |
unclasped his knees and remarked that |
old Plug Hat was back.
The men peered cautiously through |
the brush. They saw Reed accompa- |
MED by the sheriff. approach the dam. |
The working crew stacked their tools, |
resumed their jackets and departed |
with the sheriff
well. III be derned!" calculated one
Of the concealed rivermen. That's the |
first time I ever see one lonesome sher-
if gather in ten river hogs without the
aid of a Gatlin'"
Orde watched them disappear.
'Jim," said he. "and you. Ellis, and
you, and you. and you. and you. get to
work on that dam. And remember
this-if you are arrested. go peaceably.
Any resistance will spoil the whole
game" The men broke into mingled
cheers ard laughter as the full sig
niicance OF Orde's plan reached them.
They streamed back to the dam.
Reed came out, eyes blazing.
Reed stormed back and forth for a
moment. then departed at full speed
up the road.
Now. boys, get as much done as
possible" urged Orde. eve better get
back in the brush or he may try to
arrest the whole billing Of us on some
sort OF blanket warrant"
"How about the other boysT' in
quired North.
81 gave one OF them a telegram 10
send to DAILY" replied Orde. "Daly
will be up to bail them out"
Once more they hid in the woods,
and again. after longer interval. the
mill owner and the sheriff reappeared
Reed appeared to be expostulating VIC
emily and a number of times pointed
Up river, but the sheriff went ahead
;tolidly to the dam. summoned those
below and departed up the
Dad as before. Reed stood uncertain
Until he saw the rivermen beginning to
e-emerge from the brush. then fol-
owed the officer at top speed.
Without the necessity OF command a
lalf dozen men leaped down on the
pron. The previous crews had made
considerable progress in weakening {
he heavy supports. AS soon as these {
hould be cut out and the backing re-
moved the mere saving through of
be massive sill should carry away the {
whole obstruction.
At 4 O'Clock the sheriff made his I
bird appearance. this time in a side
ar buggy. 1
II wish 1 dared join that confab.'' I
aid Orde. but he'd jug me sure {
HE wouldn't jug me-" spoke. up G