Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-28

Its my Job. I'm going
"Wait n minutew O'Neil silenced the |
two who we're glaring at each other |
angrily. Don't let's have any fighting. !
There will be enough of that later"
81 spoke first" Dan repeated Stab
bornly.
81 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 a boy on a
mans Grand"
"AndI don't want you to do 1t, either.
Tom, for the same reason"
Slater mumbled some sort of sour
acquiescence, 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 par
ticular need for exactly thousand
dollars. If they start rumpus it will
give US the excuse we're looking for.
I've been studying that 'ge-devr
through fieldglasses for two days now,
and I'll guarantee to put it out OF COM
mission before Gordon's men know
what Pm about Just forget the re-
ward, If you like, and give me
chance"
What's your plan?" Slater inquired
eagerly, but Appleton shook his head.
mo, you don't Tommy he said.
'rm wise to you"
Murray hesitated briefly, then gave
his permission. I'D rather you'd let
one Of the roughnecks take the chance,
but if you insist
Il do"
Then get your sisters CONSENT
Slater swore mournfully. as If from
heart filed with black despair.
Amt that my luck? One cud of
gum cost me $1,000. Bosh. 1t would
take a millionaire to afford a habit
!
lently and went grumbling off up the
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 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
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 off across the tundra
He left the S. R. and n. at right angles
and continued in that direction for a
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
nand 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 n 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'Neifs men, who had not been per
m1tted 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 il the boiler which
operated the ''go-devil," although the
contrtvance itself was stationary. 1t
was upon this that he centered his at
tention. consulting his watch nerv.
ously.
At last 10 O'Clock came, bringing with
It sound which startled the nearby
camp into activity. 1t was shrill
blast from an S. R. and n. 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.
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 giaring into the faces of Denny
and his troops, and from the high