Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-08-31


Gbrough fieldglasses for two days now,
and I'll guarantee 20 put II out OF com
upission before GordOn's men know
chat I'm about Just forget the re
card, II you like. and give me a
chance"
Whats your planT' Slater inquired
eagerly. but Appleton shook his head.
mo. you don't Tommy" he said.
I'm wise 10 you"
Murray hesitated briefly. then gave
Ms permission. I'D rather you'd let
ene OF the roughnecks take the chance.
bot II you insist
II do"
''Then get your sisters consent
Slater swore mournfully. as II from
q heart filled with black despair.
"Ain't that my luck? One cud Of
gum cost me Sl0O~ Boshl It would
take a millionaire TO afford a habit
nke that" He expelled the gum vio-
hntly and went grumbling Off up the
6ack.
isis won't object said Dan lightly.
-she'd offer 10 do the trick herself, for
sbe's getting the spirit Of the work"
When O'Neil had managed 10 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 IL ex-
citedly at supper time.
After supper the camp settled itself
% wait for darkness. Night was slow
kn coming, and long before Appleton
ngnif1ed his readiness speculation was
nfe. With the approach Of twilight
the torches along Gordon's grade be-
gan 10 glow brightly. Then Dan set
his watch with Happy Toms, kissed
Elfza and made Off across the tundra.
Es left the 5. X. and n. at right angles
md continued i'm that direction for a
mile or more before swinging about in
q wide circle which brought him well
10 the rear OF GordOn's encampment
Curtis Gordon was not in charge Of
DDS field forces. having left the COM
nand TO his favorite jackal, Denny.
Beneath his apparent contempt for the
NV there lurked a certain caution. He
knew his rivals necessity. He APP
preciated his cunning. but, wishing TO
guard against the possibility of 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'Neil's
exposure OF his dishonesty. and his
zeal could be relied upon. He per
sonelly knew all the men under him.
be 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
n Denny had the nerve to use fire
arms he would undoubtedly rout
ONeifs men. who had not been per
mifted TO carry guns. BY the bright
torchlight be could see figures coming
and going along the grade like sent.
Dels, and from within the barricades
Of ties he heard others talking. The
camp itself. which lay farther 10 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 waiting notes
came to him Internationally. He saw
that steam was up in the boiler which
operated the goodwill" although the
contrivance itself was stationary. 1t
was upon this that he conferred his at
ientiOn. consulting his watch merry
ously.
At last 10 o'clock came bringing with
II sound which startled the nearby
camp into activity. 1t was shril
blast from an :. X. and y. locomotive
and the grinding of car wheels The
accordion ceased its complaint. men
poured out OF the lighted tents. Apple.
ton moved cautiously out from cover.
lie stumbled forward through the
knee deep mud and moss. bearing
slightly TO his right. counting upon the
confusion to mask his approach He
timed it 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. IL stopped finally. with head
light glaring into the faces 90 Denny
and his troops, and from the high
heaped fiat cars tumbled an army OF
pick and shovel men. During this hui.
labaloo Appleton slipped out Of the
marsh and climbed the gravel bed i'm
time 10 see the steel cable OF the ship
tighten. carrying the drag swiftly
along the track. The endless cable
propelling the contrivance ran through
metal block which was secured 10
deadhead sunk between the ties. and
up this post Dan FASTENED. He carried
a cold chisel and hammer. but he found
no use Tor them. for the puller was
rOped 10 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 rs
task was he discovered: then some one
raised a shout. The next instant they
charged upon him, but his work had
been done With snap the ropes part
Cd, the cable went writhing and twist
ing up the track, the unwieldy appa-
ratus came to a stop.