The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-04-09

was wholly drunk. and on the porch
talking to WilkersOn we're a couple of
Mexicans.
+ 1T looks as if they meant to rush
the camp Dorr said thoughtfully. He
proceeded to arm himself. and Everett
quietly followed suit
I'm going to talk to the boys first"
said Dorr. He left the bungalow and
strobe off down the hill, followed by
the cook. A gun was fired up by the
mine tunnel mouth.
'"That's signal that the Mexicans
are making trouble! Kane shouted.
"Look out for dynamite in the shaft,
john
Without word further Dorr leaped
down from the porch Of the cook shan
&ty and started up the hill, followed by
dozen faithful supporters. Other
shots, were fired. Wilkerson appeared
at the tunnel mouth and then vanished
inside. John .sprang upon the trestle
and rushed after him.
+ Instantly a band Of Mexicans mate
rallied halfway down the hill, fred a
few shots and retreated. John paid no
attention to them. but kept on.
, Once within the, tunnel he saw a
faint CLEAN Of light ahead Of him. He
understood that Kane was right. Will
kerson was playing a desperate game
/ in blowing up the shaft and then in
the ensuing confusion allowing the
bandits to loot undisturbed.
A few yards farther on John stopped.
A dark figure rushed. by him toward
the. open; air: But the little, glow of
light. remained. For a moment Dorr
hesitated; then he leaped forward and
began trying to extinguish lighted
fuse ~
He had almost succeeded when a
bullet whizzed by him; then a second
spattered on the rock overhead. He
turned and fired blindly in the direc-
ton of the shots and resumed his task.
The fuse was short, but he succeeded
in extinguishing it and started back.
He met, a fusillade of bullets: He
dashed on toward the mouth Of the
tunnel and suddenly emerged on Will
kerson. who, not being able to see into
the murk Of the shaft, was firing blind
ly into the opening. --------~
With a shout John leaped for the
man whom he now knew to be seeking
his life. Before Wilkesson could fire
another shot he. was caught in a
mighty embrace and then began a
short sharp struggle high in the air.
John Dorr for the first time IN his
life knew the absolute and terrific
christ for killing that sometimes comes
to man. 1t was either his life or
Wilkerson's. And no one should in
terfere with his revenge. He threw
himself on the man with but one OBJ
ject in view-to Stay him bare handed.
Wikerson fought tigerishly. and for
the moment had the advantage. The
lofty trestle was an ill place for a
heavy man like Dorr to fight on. and
the others agility and 1.-THE quickness
seemed about to win when John by a
sudden unexpected and desperate ma
neuver caught him and threw him
clear into the. air. breaking his clutch
with a terrific blow. Then he jerked
him to the edge Of the trestle and
flung him over.
Standing erect, John drew the air
into his tortured lungs and let out a
tremendous yell of triumph.
Ruth Gallon heard that barbaric yell
and shuddered Tom Kane stared up
ward at the figure on the trestle, and
his, open mouth seemed lipless. for he,
too, shared In the moments blood
lust.
And on the rocks below Wilkers0n's
figure sprawled grotesquely, its white
and darkling face turned sightlesslys
to the sky.
Continued next Friday