Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-06-22

N'Nh VI Aii' tiiN llttJ vi. l
rivals Il gravel train was splitting it's
burden and Il hundred pick and shovel
men were busy. The opposing forces
also seemed hard at work, but their ac-
tivity was largely Il pretensc, and they
showed plainly that they were waiting
for the clash. They We're Il hard look
ing crew, and their employer had neg
lected no %precaution. He had erected
barricades for their protection until his
grade looked like a military work.
They haven't showed any guns vet,
but Pm sure they're armed" Appleton
told his chief.
"IIow is the place lighted by night"
O'Ncil inquired.
"Oii torches" Slater answered. All.
We've been recognized. That
from being fat, s'pos"."
AS lie spoke Il donkey engine ut the
right of the proposed crossing set up Il
noisy rafting, Il thin steel cable whip
ped into view between tho rails and
from the left thcrc appeared Il contriv-
was Il sort of drag and rode back and
lOfth upOn the rails.
"ILumph. They'd better not put much
trust in that Murray &runtcd grilnly.
"Don't fool yourself. It's 40 rubber
tired baby carriage" said Slater. Our
men are afraid of it."
After watching the device scuttle
back and forth for Il few moments
ONcil said shortly:
Post a notice at once offering IL
thousand dollars for any man who cuts
that cable"
"A thousnnd'- Appleton gaspe1.
why, I'll do it. Let me-
NO, You WON'T" Slater broke in.
III take that on myself"
81 spoke first. It's my first chance"
Dan cried.
ITS my job! I'm going
wait Il minute" O'Ncil silcnced the
two who were glazing ut each other
angiily. Don't lets have amy lighting.
There will be enough of that later"
81 spoke first" Dan repeated stub
bornly.
Il had NIX mouth puckercd to spit,
Lillt ny. llIc ldL llult cNIjlllIlpu.
"A fellow has to spit
I'D rather you wouldn't volunteer,
Dan" said O'Ncil.
Why"
You might get hurt"
Happy Tom nodded his agreement.
"Certainly.. Never send Il boy on a
mans GRAND"
And don't want YOU to do it, either,
Tom, for the same reason"
Slater mumbled some sort of sour
acquicscencc, 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 l have Il par
ticular need for exactly Il thousand
dollars. II they start a rumpus it Will
give us the excuse we're looking for.
I've been studying that 'go-dcvil
through tieldglasses 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 Il
| chance"
whats your plan|' Slater inquired
eagerly, but Appleton shook his head.
mo. you don't Tommy.!' he said.
I'm wise to YOU"
Murray hesitated briefly, her gave
his permission. I'D rather you'd LEI
one of the roughnccks take the chance
but if you insist
Il do"
Then get your sisters consent
Slater swore mournfully, as if from
a heart filled With black despair.
"Ain't that my luck? One cud OF
| gum cost mo $1,000. Bosh. 1t would
take Il millionaire to afford Il habit
like that He expelled the gum VIC.
lentl,y and went grumbling off up the
track.
isis won't object said Dan lightly
Shed offer to do the trick herself, fol
she's getting the spirit of the work"
When O'Neil had managed to regain
the camp he began preparations for al
attack that very night, using the tele.
| phone busily. News of the coming
affray quickly spread. and both the
| day and night shifts discussed it ex.
citedly at supper time.
After supper the camp settled itself
to wait for darkness. Night was slow
in coming, and long before Appleton
signiiicd his readiness speculation was
rife. With the approach of twilight
the torches along Gordon's grade be
gan to glow brightly. Then Dan sci
his watch with Happy Tom's, Kissed
Eliza and made off across the tundra
He left the s.. Il. and n. at right angles
and continued in that direction for /;
mile or more before swinging about il
a Wide circle which brought him vel
| to the rear Of Gordon's cncampment.
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 tho
law there lurked q certain caution. Uc
knew his rivals necessity. He ap
preciated his cunning, but, wishing tc
guard against the possibility of a per
sonal humiliation, he retired to Kyak
| where he was prepared TO admit OF