White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-28

B((s1o NV =.
dow of one of the cabins and saw d
gold watch on the table. Instantly he
broke the glass with the butt Of his
carbine and reached In for his booty.
Dorr and Kane had warned the mi.
ners at the first appearance of Wilker-
son that there might be trouble brew
Ing. but that the first blow must corne
from the other side.
Boys" said the old cook. you
know the sheriff. Hes listened to
both sides. and he don't rightly know
which is the one to take. But one
thing Is certain-he's got to keep order
and protect human life and our prop
erty. If those fellows make a wrong
move we've got the sheriff on our side.
Seer"
They had seen the point. with many
mutterings. They had quietly prepar-
ed themselves for just the occasion
which the Mexican's act now gave. As
the bandit pulled his arm back with
the watch in his hand a revolver crack
ed, and the arm fell shattered to his
side. And as Wilkerson glanced flu
riously about him he saw the camp
ready. He cursed the maddened Mexi-
can and grasped vigas by the arm.
stop your men, he implored.
Don't let them fire a shot or we are
lost!'
1t was too late. Passions long re-
strained now broke out. and within a
minute a battle was raging between
the walls OF the gulch.
The miners had the advantage. They
fought from the shelter of their own
cabins, and they were united by a
common purpose. Their attackers
were scattered. were divided between
lust for loot and thirst for blood and
had ne sure refuge nor rendezvous.
Yet they would eventually have made
the camp untenable had not the
thoughtful sheriff prepared a surprise
for both parties.
After consultation with his advisers
in the county seat be had appealed to
the governor on the ground that as one
of the opposing forces was Mexican
be felt that "A superior authority should
handle s delicate a situation. The
governor had agreed and ordered a
troop OF cavalry to the Master Key"
to preserve order. II was just when
Wilkerson hsd seen his chance for a
grand coup that the troopers arrived.
Ruth. with some of the women. had
taken refuge in Johns house on the
hill. with old Tom Kane as their body
guard. Wilkerson knew that If he
could capture Ruth he could make his
own terms. He directed several of his
men to make "A detour around the hill
and effect this. Meanwhile he set fire
to a cabin below in order TO distract
the attention of Dorr and his nien.
The ruse had nearly succeeded but
for Kane's quickness. Though he had
not used his gun for many years, he
had lost none of his old time skill, and
when the marauders made their final
dash ON the porch of the house the
cook. with a single glance owe his
shoulder. shot from the hip. His man
tumbled dead at Ruth's feet. and his
companions sneaked back.
At that instant the cavalry rushed
In. and before five minutes were passed
their commander had separated the
combataDts and proceeded to disarm
them.
He then called Dorr and wilkerson
to him and CURLY stated that his or
ders were To see that there was no
trouble. What your quarrel is | don't
know" he said.
Wilkerson tried TO argue. but neither
the officer nor the sheriff. who now ar
rived. would listen TO him. They also
turned a deaf ear TO John DORIS state
ment of Wilkerson's crimes. including
the kidnapping of Ruth in San Fran.
cisco.
If you have anything against Will
kerson.' the sheriff asserted. swear
out a warrant for him. I'll serve it
quick enough"
With this John must perforee be sat
isied. but after a conference with
Kane il was agreed that the latter
should go to the county seat and make
formal complaint and procure a a
rant for Wilkerson's arrest on the
ground of forgery.
You and | know those deeds he
iourishes aren't genuine" John said
earnestly Lets make 1t an issue and
try 1t in court. At any rate. Wei be
rid of him for awhile"
Il know you're right" the old cook
assented heartily. I'm be off today.
With these troopers around the greas
ers won't dare do anything openly.
But keep your eyes open. John! They
will sneak something across If they
can"
Trust me for that" was the reas
surfing response.
But when Kane had gone Dorr re
allied that he was In a nasty predica-
ment Wilkerson was desperately play