The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-02-20

lily themselves: II they did not know
1t they might be easily frightened into
abandoning it. II the three men could
not scare the owners they might kill
them in a free fight. which would be
lawful in that lawless country. though
murder was apt to be punished by Il
vigilance committee.
Meanwhile Tom and his son were
working away with a view to finding
out as much as possible about the ma
tare OF their mine. it's paying qualities
and It's extent. after which Charley was
to 60 back to the east and get capital
for Its development. The family lived
on the property In a hut It had built.
One evening one Of the neighbors,
Harding. came to the hut with a dirty
piece Of paper on which something had
been written and handed It to Tom
Ainsworth.
whats this?' asked the latter.
Its a deed to this property you're
en-" q
III that's what it i. l declin. to
read it."
Harding folded the paper and put it
in his pocket. saying:
This we're property belongs to me
and my pals. and yer wants to under
stand that we hain't got no use for
claim Jumpers. Well give you till
tomorrer mornin' at 8 o'clock to git
out"
he turned on his heel and went
away. Alnsworth knew that the paper
be had offered was merely a pretext
for an attempt to drive them OF the
claim. Charley was not ut home at the
time. but when he came in his father
Informed him Of Harding's visit and
what 1t meant. The two sat down to-
gether for a conference. II they had
known exactly how their enemies were
intending tn proceed they would have
been able to make preparations inteIli-
gently. but being without this informa
ton they did nothing.
Tom Ainsworth had spent most Of
his life where shooting was in vogue
without being himself armed, because
he was opposed to both arming and
shooting. the former leading tn the lat
ter A for Charley. he said be knew
nothing about handling q revolver. and
any n who did would have such an
advantage Of him that it would be bet
ter for him not to enter any shooting
match. Mrs. Ainsworth dreaded blood
shed and was in favor. II their neigh
bors demanded the property. Of giving
1t up and recovering 1t by law. This
plan did not suit the father or the
son who proposed to hold ON t what
belonged to them.
The morning brought an end to any
suspense they felt. A few minutes aft
er 8 O'clock their neighbOrS showed
signs of an offensive movement. They
came out Ut their cabin and stood talk
ing together. casting occasional Elances
at the Ainsworth home. They were
about 200 yards distant. the interven
ing ground being covered at intervals
by p%rOtruding rocks. earth thrown np
from digging and an occasional tree.
Charley AinswOrth insisted ON his
mother keeping in the cabin. behind
the log walls of which she would b.
safe from bullets II any were fired.
Charley also persuaded his father to
remain inside till he was called out.
the young man thinking it better that
he alone should receive their enemies
and determine whether there was to
- lighting. The~e matters being ar
nAged. Charley went outside and. pick
ing up u few round stones of the
Sround. each about the size Of q gOose's
eQg. put them in his pocket.
Charley did not wait long before
learning that there was to be lighting.
The tOughs. thinking to frighten their
neighbOrs. started for the AinswOrth
cabin. each nOurishing a revolver.
Harding leading the way ten PAGES
ahead Of the other two. Charley took
u Of the stones from his pocket and.
taking aim. threw 1t ut Harding and
hit him in the stomach. knocking the
wind out Ut him and doubling him up.
The other two e didn't seem to
know just what to do. Presently they
bOth advanced to Harding. picked him
up and carried him back to the cabin.
Charley could zee him between his
gasps for breath. evidently urging
lucuI u kO lOC- IutlI CuVllly uUO SusIOl
him down. Murphy. co.king his re-
vOlver. started on that errand. moving
forward to get within range. keeping
q tree In line between him and his
enemy. The ex-pitcher threw an 'Out-
shoot" The stone went circling around
the tree and took Murphy IN the TEN.
ple.
Murphy dropped and lay perfectly
still.
1t was now Gums turn to take w
the fight. and. protiting by the expe-
rience of his pals. he ran forward to a
breastwOrk 1T earth that had been
thrown out Of a mine and with his
eyes above 1t was taking aim with his
revolver ut his opponent when mis-
eyesight was seriously interfpred with
from the dirt knocked up by a stone
that grazed the top ut the barrier. He
ducked. while Charley kept sending
stones. one of which. a drop. took him
In the top Of the head and. though 1t
81 ..-A ..~,.f, ht, .,1r~h ,n.0nA A..