Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1911-01-05

and-shovel havoc ana clearing n wide
circle to right and left with the sweep
of his old service cavalry saber, was
the Major. coatless, hatless. and crying
them to come on, the unnumbered host
of them against one man.
Opposed to him the men of the con-
struction force. generated by the young
engineer in brown duck and buttoned
leggings, were deploying cautiously to
surround him. Gordon spoke to his
mare; and when he drew rein AMI
wheeled to shout to the gun crew,
Thomas Jefferson heard the engineers
w-toned order to the shovelers: BE
careful and don't hurt him, boys. He's
the old maniac who threw me off the
'eranda of his house. Two of you take
him behind. and"
The break came on the uprush of the
unanticipated endorsements With
the battle readiness of a disciplined
soldier, Caleb Gordon whipped from
the saddle and ran to help the gun
crew slue the makeshift feldpiece into
position.
Fall back, Major," he shouted; fall
back on your front line and give the
dose O. broken pot-iron'll carry further
than that saber O. yourn. Buddy. hunt
me punk match, will ye?"
Thomas jefferson ran to the nearest
rotting log. but one of the negroes was
pefore him with blazing pitch pine
splint There was a respectful recoil
IN the opposing ranks which presently
became somewhat paniciky surge to
AA IL.
half of whom were negroes. had not
come out to be blown from a lannon's
mouth by grim-faced veteran who
was so palpably at home with the tools
of his trade.
That's right; keep right on goin'l"
yelled the ironmaster, waving his blaz-
ing slow-match dangerously near to
the printing. Keep it up"
The panic had spread by its own
contagion, and the invaders were
fighting among themselves for place on
the fiat-cars. And while vet the rear
guard was swarmiug upon the engine.
hanging by toe and hand holds where
il could, the train was backed RAPIDLY
out of range. Caleb Gordon kept his
pine splint alight until the echoes of
the engines exhaust came family from
the overhanging cliffs of the mountain.
They've gone back to town. and
reckon the fires plum out for to-day.
Major" he drawled. Buck and a few
O the boysll stay by the gun. against
their rallyin' later on, and you might
as well go home to your breakfast.
Didn't bring your hawss, did We? Take
the mare, and welcome Buddy and
NELL walk"
But the Major would not mount. ana
so the two men walked together as far
as the manor-house gates. with Thorn
as Jefferson a pace in the rear. leading
the mare
1t was no matter of wonder To him
that his father and the Major marched
in solemn silence to the gate of part
ing. But the wonder came tumulfu-
ousiy when the Major wheeled abruptly
at the moment of leave taking ana
wrung his fathers hand.
"Suh, you are right true-hearted
gentleman. and my very good friend.
Mlstuh Gordoni" he said. with the
manner Of one who has been carefully
weighing the words beforehand. TT |
you had been given you'll Just dues
sun, you'd have come home from Fv-
sinia wearin y0uh shouldeh-straps."
And then, with little throat-clearins
pause 10 come between: Sub: an own |
orotheh couldn't have done MOI =
I'VE been misjudgin' you, Caleb. an |
these yeahs, and now I'm proud 20 |
shake you by the hand and call Won nav
friend Yes, sub, ] am that"
IL was, IA manner not 20 be UNDER
stood by the Northern allen, the aeon.
ade OF knighth00d, and Caleb Gordon.s
-oi-rounded shoulders straighted visl-
Ply when he returned the hearty hand
grasp And az for Thomas Jefferson.
% HIS heart gratined pride tapped ~
wings and crowed Justify.
90 be confinued)