The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-04-27

must listen 10 reason whether you
wish to do so or not My troopers
are all around you; have two men TO
your one in this house. and can en-
force my will II necessary. Now mark
what | say-we are not here in anger
or In war, but TO help you in the pro
lection OF endangered women. We
captured your courier. have dispatched
one OF our own number into the Fed
eral camp for aid. and have fought
our way in here TO stand beside you
and your men In defence OF this
house against those rufiians without
You can use us or not just as you
please; IL rests with you TO say wheth.
er We shall be comrades In arms on
this occasion, or whether | shall as
sumo command by the power OF force
which / chance TO control"
lie seemed utterly unable TO grasp
my full meaning. 10 comprehend the
situation
You mean. you would fight with
us? under my commando" he asked In.
credulously.
Il offer my services under your or
ders." replied clearly. and these
men in gray will obey mine
| actually thought he would extend
his hand, but some remembrance sud.
denly restrained him.
''I-of course, Captain Wayne" he
stammered. at length. IL must &C
cept your offer. IL am grateful for
II, but ! shall insist upon one thing;
there must be finai settlement OF the
personal matter existing between us.
! am not willing TO waive my rights
in this
There is no occasion for your doing
so. sir" ! answered coldly, for con-
sidered the reference al that moment
in extremely Ill taste. When our
work here has been accomplished. 20.
Will find me very much at your serv-
ice"
10 bowed grayely.
Il am exceedingly glad we under
stand each other" he said. May /
ask the size OF your commando
Sergeant" i questioned, whom
have we lost?"
Nelson vos kilt l drinks; der Kid
is not here yet, und Sands vos wound.
ed bad"
Very we'll; then. Major Brennan. l
tender you sixteen men fit for duty,
besides myself. You are doubtless
acquainted with the house, and can
assign us to positions where our serv-
ices will prove OF greatest value"
lie had completely recovered his
self-control by this time. and spoke
now with the terse sentences OF a
tried soldier.
II thank you, Captain Wayne, and
will ask you to choose four men and
assume command OF the east side OF
the house. Cation, you take the same
number for defense of the rear. Cap
tain, what is your sergeant's manner"
"Ebers, an experienced German sol.
der"
Il should have suspected his ma
tionality. Let him have command OF
four more, and cover the west win.
dows shall defend the front myself,
as have been doing"
Very well" answered shortly, for
his eyes had remained fixed upon me
all the time he was talking Take
the positions assigned you, lads, and
do not permit man from without 20
put foot on the veranda. II they once
succeed In getting under cover OF the
porch roof, they will give us plenty OF
trouble"
The position for defence assigned
20 my care took me into the dining
room OF the mansion--a spacious, al.
most square apartment, containing
three large windows reaching nearly
TO the floor The outside blinds had
been closed. but the glass In the panes
was mostly broken, and there were
other evidences that the firing had
been both heavy and continuous
found two soldiers OF Brennan's party
within, both lying upon the floor, and
peering cautiously through the aper-
lures OF the blinds. They glanced UP
at us with undisguised amazement
It's all right. lads" said heartily
Never mind our colors tonight we
are all fighting the same way"
had taken with me Bungay. TO.
gether with three OF my troopers. and