Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-09-27

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~ dsy fight dsy svvins done shoot
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his shoulder. Through one Of his bar
keepers he caused to be called to his
presence four men. Three Of them
were miners, the fourth q, lookout at
the Empire. He met them in his little
room quite openly, which. as I have
explained. was In accordance with his
usual custom. He detailed the exact
situation In q few words
"Now," be ended we get busy. Are
you in?'' ...-
Each assented. with apparent deep
satisfaction.
"Now," said he briskly, "Munroe,
you 60 to the lower trail, near the big
oak at the second crossing. Wait
there. II the express messengers have
not passed by tomorrow morning at
10 o'clock return here. II they do
come by stop them and tell them to
proceed by the cut OF to the place
they know Of and to wait there for
me. Understand"
To each Of the other four men he
assigned different watching on other
trails, giving them the same instrue-
tons.
''Now git!' he finished.
After informing Yank Of my pro-
jected absence waited at TIE ap
pointed place until the appointed time.
then returned to the Bella Union.
THAT'S all right" Danny greeted my
report. 'They came across the Hogs
Back and are now safely in hiding
Here"-he gave me a slip c1 paper
during the day contrive TO see these
men. Make It casual and easy, %
though you just happened to see them.
Chat a few minutes and tell them this:
Danny Randall calls a secret miners
meeting at the upper horse fat at 8
o'clock tonight. Slip up there without
being seen' Be sure to let them I'M
Qerstand that it is ! who am Issuing
the call. Get them to tell you wheth:
er they will or will not come,
l took the slip Of bapef and read
over the half dozen names It contain
ed. They were oil known to me; so
nodded my comprehension and went
out.
All the rest Of the day loafed
ABOUT, chatting with dozens Of people,
among the others with Morton him
self. That individual profesed great
zeal for law and order, and told of
the wonderful things he, as sheriff, in
tended to accomplish. Among the lot
contrived to include the six men
whose names were on my paper. and
to deliver my message. explained
as far as knew, and got from each a
definite and emphatic promise to be
present.
Its time this thing was brought to
q head" said one man. III Danny
Randall Is taking hold Of 1t enlist"
returned to report these facts. re-
ceived an Indifferent nod. and, under
further instruction, went quietly to
camp to await the agreed hour.
We started up the trail about 8
o'clock. Yank insisted that he was
going, II he had to roll all the way,
but after a little we simultaneously
remembered that the Morenas had
owned horses. One of these caught,
and on It Yank rode to tho place Of
rendezvous.
The night was very black. After No
had entered the woods Its darkness
seemed at first to hang In front of my
eyes like a flmy curtain, 90 that fair
" groped. as one would when blind
folded.
At the Flat Rock We were halted by
a low voiced command. I gave the
password. as instructed by Danny
Randall. This experience was once
repeated. little farther on. Then, as
we neared the upper horse fiat. we
were stopped by man who flashed a
dark lantern in our faces, scrutinized
us for moment, shut or his light and
told us to go forward.
We found small fire behind screen
Of frs and around or near it the fig
ures of a dozen men. They stood ST.
lent and scattered little apart from
the freight. We could not make out
their features. From time to time 9th
er men came in. singly or In couples,
until probably twenty-five We're gath
cred. Then ensued a few moments OF
waiting. A sudden stir proclaimed
fresh arrivals, and four newcomers
strobe briskly to the fire. As the light
fell on them recognized Randall and
the three express riders.
Danny KICKED together the fire until
it flared.
Somebody put some more WOOD on
this" he said in his natural voice.
We've got to see each other"
In a moment the flames were leap
ing. looked about me with consider
able interest to see who Of the camp
had been summoned. must confess