Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1915-04-22

was wholly drunk, and on the porch
talking to Wilkerson were couple of
Mexicans
ut 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 troubler' 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 band of Mexicans mate
rallied halfway down the hill. fred q
few shots and retreated John paid no
attention to them. but kept on.
Once within the tunnel he saw
faint CLEAN of light ahead Of him. He
understood that Kane was right. Viii
kcrson was playing 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 mir. But the little glow Of
light remained. For 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 second
spattered on the rock overhead. He
turned and fred blindly in the direc-
ton OF the shots and resumed his task
The fuse was short, but he succeeded
in extingllishing it and started back.
He met 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 Wilkerson could fire
another shot he was caught in
mighty embrace and then began
short sharp struggle high in the air.
John Dorr for the first time In bis
life knew the absolute and terrific
christ for killing that sometimes comes
to a 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 yiew-to slay him bare handed.
Wllkerson fought hgerishly. and for
the moment had the advantage. The
lofty trestle was an Ill place for
heavy man like Dorr to fight on. and
the others agility and 1.-THE qulckness
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 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
tremendous yell of triumph.
Ruth Gallon heard that barbaric yell
and shuddered. Tom Kane stirred up
ward ut the figure on the trestie. and
his open mouth seemed lipiess. for he
too. shared in the moments blood
lust.
And on the rocks below Wilkerson's
figure sprawled grotesquely, its white
and darkling face turned sishtlessly
to the sky.