Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1921-10-28

UGSEou the ulOCkeTy vi a tIlul. 6Oli
was now crouching in the darkness on
the low line of cliffs to the eastward
from the walnut tree; and not far
behind him. well hidden in the black
laurels, watching him and watching
Bill Dale, crOuched BY Heck.
Dae's guardian had not gone for
help, because he feared to leave Dale
utterly unprotected in the hands Of
the gang of cutthroats. He believed
that he could rescue Dale himself.
When the first watch became a little
more drowsy, he would steal up be-
hind the tree and cut the cotton rope.
Then he realized that Golf had dis
appeared entirely. He crept forward
silently, his eyes alert, and moment
later he saw Golf stealing toward the
walnut tree. He climbed noiselessly
down over the face Of the cliff and
followed Golf like a shadow. When
GOff's hands touched the tree, By Heck
was within ten feet of it. Heck made
sure his rife was ready and took an
other step forward watching, listen
ing.
The shyster coal man leaned around
the tree to the left. In the glow OF
the lOw-burned fire the blade of a
small knife in his hand cleaned dull
red. He whispered cautiously:
you're in a fix, Dale. And it's
none of my doing, either. Give me
your word that I'll get that coal prop
erty for fifteen thousand, and I'll slash
the rope. How about it? Sick OF
this country, aren't you?'
There came q few seconds Of silence
save for the lusty snoring of the sleep
ers and the musical tinkle of the little
creek, after which Golf muttered dis
appointedly:
"Well, then, hang1'
And Heck knew that Dale had re-
fused to sell the Moreland coal for
song even to save his life. AS Golf
stepped backward, the muZzle of the
tall hilman's rife went against the
small Of his back, and the tall hillman
whispered hoarsely, through teeth
tightly clenched:
"Slash at rope, d-n yore soul
Slash at rope, or wisht l may drap
dead eff l don't shoot yore backbone
into four thousand pieces, igod! Slash
it,"
Golf Strengthened in surprise. The
rifles muzzle went harder against his
| back and he knew it for exactly what
| it was. He moved a hand upward,
| then downward and the cotton rope
was severed in half a dozen places.
"Stiddy thar, now!' whispered BY
Heck, and he began to back away.
i Come along wi me, We dadslatted,
| banjer-bellied skunk. Bill he'll foller."
The three OF them hurried into the
| deeper shadows. Soon Heck halted
Golf and turned to Dale.
| "S'arch him fo' gun, Bill, old boy"
Dale lifted from Henderson COTS
rght-hand coat-pocket a blued and
stubnosed magazine pistol.
Dang my eyes and blast my for
rard!' Heck exclaimed in mufiied
voice. He's plumb death on them
| little popguns, amt he? Say, Golf,
ef ever We shoots me with thing like
| that and find it out. DANCED Of don't
spank We Ontel yore nose blOOds; Now,
| les go, yOu'uns. And eff We jest cheep
out a noise, Mister Golf, the buZzards
will pick the meat often yore bones
afOre tOmOrrer night"
Move, shyster!" frowned Bill
Dale.
| BY Heck led the way to the line Of
| cliffs to the westward. They had
| climbed the rugged wall and were
| about to set out through the pitchy
dark woodland, when a voice that
| they knew we'll hailed them softly
from the laurels to their left:
Hold on, thar
John Moreland, by jiggers!" NUT
tered Heck.
Moreland fastened soundlessly to
them. II reckon We didn't mean no
harm, By" he said in tones that ex-
pressed deep regret, "but yit shore
wisht We hadn't ha' done it."
Samuel Heck was very proud Of
| himself. He Strengthened there in the
| darkness.
"Whatn the name O. the devil makes
| We wisht sech a thing as that, John?
he demanded in half angry voice.
Cause" growled the big hillman,
| ''you went and spilled HI out o. the
main big picnic. We meant to wipe
out all O. them thar lowdown Balls
and Torreys, By. When they went to
hang Bill Dale in the mornin', we'd ha
had good reason TO- a-killin 'em every
one-the weasels! Ye see, By, every
man Moreland but Caleb and every
man O the Littlefords is hid here in
these laurels, and has been ever sense
that thar fool trial begun. We was
jest a-waitin. How did we happen
to know 1t?
oats easy, BY. Me and Ben Lit
tlefOrd was on our way after more
dynamite, when we seed Bill Dale
a-follerin' that stranger man. and Golf