The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-11-02

'Shes uhu went SAuAipiilS Ou w I1o
track.
isis won't object said Dan lightly.
Shed offer to do the trick herself, for
she's getting the spirit Of the work."
When O'Neil had managed to regain
the camp he began preparations for an
attack that very night, using the tele-
phone busily. News OF the coming
ARRAY quickly spread, and both the
day and night shifts discussed 1t x
citedly at supper time.
After supper the camp settled itself
to wait for darkness. Night was slow
in coming, and long before Appleton
signifed his readiness speculation was
rife. With the approach Of twilight
the torches along Gordon's grade be-
gan to glow brightly. Then Dan set
his watch with Happy Toms. kissed
Eliza and made of across the tundra.
He left the S. Il. and n. at right angles
and continued in that direction for n
mile or more before swinging about In
a wide circle which brought him well
to the rear OF Gordon's encampment.
Curtis Gordon was not in charge of
his field forces, having left the COM
mand to his favorite jackal, Denny.
Beneath his apparent contempt for the
law there lurked a certain caution. He
knew his rivals necessity. He ap-
preciated his cunning. but, wishing to
guard against the possibility Of a per-
sonal humiliation. he retired to Kyak,
where he was prepared to admit or
deny as much responsibility as suited
him. Denny had not forgotten O'Neirs
exposure Of his dishonesty. and his
zeal could be relied upon. He per-
sonally knew all the men under him.
he had coached them carefully, and he
assured Gordon OF his ability to hold
his ground.
Dan Appleton from his cover meas
ured the preparations for resistance
with some uneasiness, rejecting that
If Denny had the nerve to use fire.
arms he would undoubtedly rout
O'Neils men, who had not been per-
mitted to carry guns. BY the bright
torchlight he could see figures coming
and going along the grade like senti-
nels, and from within the barricades
OF ties he heard others talking. The
camp itself, which lay farther to the
left, was lighted, and black silhou-
cites were painted against the canvas
walls and roofs. Some one was play
ing an accordion, and its wailing notes
came to him internationally. He saw
that steam was up In the boiler which
operated the goodwill" although the
continuance itself was stationary. 1t
was upon this that he centered his at
t%ention, consulting his watch nerv-
ously.
At last 10 o'clock came, bringing with
1t a sound which startled the nearby
camp into activity. Ii was q shrill
blast from an s. X. and n. locomotive
and the grinding of car wheels. The
accordion ceased its complaint, men
poured cut OF the lighted tents, Apple
ton moved cautiously out from cover.
He stumbled forward through the
knee deep mud and moss, bearing
slightly to his right, counting upon the
confusion to mask his approach. He
timed 1t to that OF the gravel train.
which came slowly creaking nearer.
rocking Over the Uneven tracks, then
down upon the half submerged rails
which terminated near the opposing
grade. 1t stopped finally, with head
light glaring into the faces of Denny
and his troops, and from the high
heaped fiat cars tumbled an army Of
pick and shovel men. During this hull
labaloo Appleton slipped out OF the
marsh and climbed the gravel bed In
time to see the steel cable OF the ship
tighten. carrying the drag swiftly
along the track. The endless cable
%propelling the contrivance ran through
a metal block which was secured to a
deadhcad sunk between the ties, and
up this post Dan fastened. He carried
a cold chisel and hammer, but he found
no use for them, for the puller was
roped to the deadhead. Drawing his
knife, he sawed at the manila strands.
Men were all around him, but in their
excitement they took no notice of him.
Not until he had nearly completed hs
task was he discovered; then some one
raised n shout. The mex instant they
charged upon him, but his work had
been done. With a snap the ropes part
ed, the cable went writhing and twist.
ing up the track, the unwieldy appa-
ratus came to a stop.
(TO BE CONTINUED