Putnam patriot., 1916-08-18

Why. I'll do it. Let me''--
 eNo, you won't Slater broke in .T'H take that on myself"
 "I spoke first. It's my first chance = Dan cried.
 Its my job I'm going
 Wait q minutes' O'Neil silenced the two who were glaring at each other angrily Don't lets have any fighting There will be enough of that later"
 "I spoke first" Dan repeated stub n0rnly.
 q had my mouth puckered to spit, that's why" the fat man explained. "A fellow has to spit
 "I'd rather you wouldn't volunteer, Dan said O'Neil.
 Why"
 You might get hurt"
 Happy Tom nodded his agreement Certainly! Never send boy on mans e@rand"
 And don't want you to do it, either. Tom, for the same reason."
 Slater mumbled some sort of sour acquiescenee, but Dan would not be denied
 You made the offer, and I took it up" he told O'Neil. "Somebody has to make the first move, and have d par ticular need for exactly Il thousand dollars. If they start q rumpus it will give us the excuse we're looking fof. I've been studying that 'go-devir through 1ieldglasses for two days now, and I'll guarantee to put it out of com mission before Gordon's men know what I'm about. Just forget the re- ward. if you like, and give me a chance"
 Whats your planf" Slater inquired eagerly, but Appleton shook his head
 No, you don't Tommy he said. I'm wise to you"
 Murray hesitated briefly, then gave his permission. I'd rather you'd let one of the roughneeks take the chance. but if you insist
 T do.'
 "Then get your sisters consent
 Slater sWore mournfully. us if from q heart flied with black despair.
 "Ain't that my luck? One cud of gum cost me S1.000. Bosh It would take a millionaire to afford q habit like that He expelled the gum vio- lently and went grumbling off up the track.
 Sis won't object said Dan lightly Shed offer to do the trick herself, for she's getting the spirit of the work"
 When 0,Neil had managed to regain the camp he began preparations for an attack that very night, using the tele- phone bHsily News of the coming affray quickly spread. and both the day and night shifts discussed it ex- citedly a supper time.
 After supper the camp settled itself to wait for darkness. Night was slow ill coming. and long before Appleton signified his readiness speculation was rife. With the approach of twilight the torches along Gonion's grade be- gan to glow brightly. Then Dan set his watch with Happy Toms, kissed Eliza and made off across the tundra. He left the s. R. and N. at right angles and continued in that direction for 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 per sonai humiliation, he retired to Kyak. where he was prepared to admit or deny as much responsibility as suited him. Denny had not forgotten 0Neils exposure S 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, refecting that if Denny had the nerve 10 use fire arms he would undoubtedly rout O'NeiIs 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 it's wailing notes came to him internationally. He saw that steam was up in the boiler which operated the "GO-devil.' although the contrivance itself was stationary. It was upon this that he centered his at tention, consulting his watch nery. ously.
 At last 10 o'clock came, bringing with 1t a sound which startled the nearby camp into activity. It was a shrill blast from an $. l.. and \. locomotive and the grinding of ear wheels The accordion ceased it's complaint, men poured out of the lighted tents, Apple ton movesi cautiously out from cover
 He stumbled forward through the knee deep mud and moss. bearing slightly to bis right. counting upon the confusion to mask his approach. He timed ii Co 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 IL 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 tak nh