Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-07-26

named M'Graw, calling himself a depu-
ty United States marshal and claim
ing to be acting under instructions
from Judge Lorching's court In Red
Butte, took possession of our dam and
camp. On the even chance that he
Isn't what he claims to be, we are go
ing to arrest him and every man in his
crowd. Are you game for itf"
I'm game to serve any papers that
sue" was the big mans reply.
THAT'S the talk; that's what hoped
to hear you say. Was Stanton arrest
ed?"
~He sure was. Strothers found him
in the Hophra House bar, and the line
of talk he turned loose would have set
wet blanket afre. Just the same,
he had to go along with Jimmie and
get himself locked up"
'That is the first step; now If you're
ready, Wen take the next"
vance began. For the first mile or so
the midnight silence was unbroken
save by the subdued progress noises
and the murmurings of the nearby
river in its bed. Once Smith took the
wheel while Starbuck rolled and light
ed cigarette. It was Starbuck who
harked back to the talk which had
been SO abruptly broken off.
Lets not head into this ruction
with an unpicked bone betwixt us,
john" he began gently. Maybe said
too much, back yonder at the foot of
the HILL"
"No; you didn't say too much" was
the low-toned reply. And then: BILLY,
few months ago was jerked out of
my place in life and set down in an
other place where practically every
thing had learned as a boy and man
had to be forgotten. l don't know
that I'm making it understandable to
you, but"
"Yes, you are" broke in the man at
the wheel. 1--WE had to turn two or
three little double somersaults myself
in the years that are gone"
'"They used to call me 'Monty-Boy,'
back there in LaWrenceville, and I fit
ted the name" Smith went on 1--WE
just had to do the best I could out
here. / found that I had a body that
could stand man-sized hardship, and a
kind Of savage nerve that could give
%ol- oh %Io$
could drive both body and nerve to the
limit. Also, I've found out what 1t
means to love woman"
Starbuck checked the cars speed q
little more to keep it well in the rear
Of the ambling cavalcade.
THAT'S your one best bet, john"
he said soberly.
sit is. I've cleaned out another room
since you called me down back yonder
in the Little Creek road, Starbuck I
can't trust my own leadings any more
they are altogether too primitive and
brutal; so I'm going to take hers. She'd
send me into this fight that is just
ahead Of US, and all the other fights
that are coming, with a heart big
enough to take in the whole world.
She said I'd understand, some day;
that I'd know that the only great man
is one who is too big to be little; who
can fight without hating; who can die
to make good, If that is the only way
that offers"
@That's Cory Baldwin, every day
in the week, John. They don't make
'em any finer than she is" was Star
bucks comment. And then: I'm be-
ginning to kick myself for not letting
with her. She's doing you good, right
along"
"You didn't stop me-" Smith af-
frmed; "you merely gave me a chance
to stop myself. It's all over now, Billy,
and my little race Is about run. But
whatever happens to me, either this
night, or beyond 1t, I shall be free
man. You can't put handouts on
soul and send it to prison, you know.
That Is what Corona was trying to
make me understand; and couldn't
or wouldn't"
Over a low hill just ahead the pole
bracketed lights at the dam were star
ring themselves against the sky, and
the group Of horsemen halted at the
head of the railroad trestle which
marked the location Of the north side
unloading station. Harding had sent
two of his men forward and they re-
ported that there were no guards on
the north bank, and that the stagings,
on the downstream face of the dam,
were also unguarded. Thereupon
Harding made his dispositions. Half
Of the posse was to go up the northern
bank, dismounted, and rush the camp
by way Of the stagings. The remain
ing half, also on foot, was to cross
at once On the railroad trestle, and to
make its approach by way Of the
wagon road skirting the mesa foot.
At an agreed-upon signal, the two de-
tachments were to close In upon the
company buildings in the construction
camp, trusting to the surprise and the
attack from opposite directions to over
come any disparity in numbers.
At Smiths urgfngs, Starbuck went
with the party which crossed by way
of the railroad trestle, Smith himself
accompanying the sheriff's detachment.
With the horses left behind under
guard at the trestle head, the up-river
approach was made by both parties
simultaneously, though in the dark
ness, and with the breadth of the river