The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1922-08-25

tin pannikins, which they had evident
ly brought designedly from the cook
house, and filling them from a hogs
head Of liquor that stood in the center
Of the room.
The old factor, wedged In behind
the counter, his right arm limp at his
side, was pushing his left into the
faces Of the ~grinning Hunkies.
Molly, at the door Of her room, her
lips parted, her eyes dilated with fear,
was surrounded by a ring Of men. One
OF them had his huge paws on her
shoulders, and, standing a little be-
hind, was trying to bend her back
ward toward him.
Wilton took in the scene instan-
taneOusly through the thick haze Il
sinking tobacco-smoke. Everything
swan before his eyes. With n hoarse
roar &c rage he leaped into the center
of the crowd, caught the man who had
his hands On Molly, and, spinning him
round, dashed his fists into his face
again and again until he was unrec-
ognizable from the blood that covered
his broken features.
Screaming with pain, the man broke
from him. Before the aStonished
Hunkies could collect their wits Wilton
was in their midst again. He drove
them before him; he snatched up a
bottle containing a guttered candle
end, and, armed with this terrible
weapon brought it smashing down on
their heads till he held only the
splintcrs In his bleeding hands.
Stupefed by this onslaught, the men
ran for the door. But, tanning In
the entrance, the rear-mOSt turned and
faced him. Three men set on him,
dealing savage kicks, and rushing at
him, head down, like ba~ttering-rams.
stomach and sent him topping against
the counter.
Instantly the whole mob was upon
him with knives, screaming with rage.
Wilton leaned against the counter, sick
and weak for the moment, and unable
to defend himself. But suddenly the
mob was flung violently away, and
he saw Digby, his fists flying like fails,
striking out right and left, and telling
a man at every bSw.
The respite enabled him to regain
his feet, snatch up another bottle,
and go to the Englishman's assistance.
The Hunkies had no stomach for any
more. This time they made the door
way, and ran at the top Of their speed
toward the portage, leaving Wilton
and his assistant painting and ex-
hausted in their wake.
Wilton was about to go back to
Molly when suddenly he caught sight of
two men who looked like Canadians
sinking into the kitchen, which opened
upon the side of the store. He recog-
nized them instantly as the two fake
policemen, Hackett and Tonguay, and
it was evident enough that they had
brought the liquor to the portage.
Shouting TO Digby, he rushed after
them. But they were through the
kitchen and had gained the open be-
fore he could get within a dozen PAGES.
Digby had evidently not understood
Wilton's shout.
Good work, what?" he calculated,
"D'you have much Of this sort, Mr..
Carruthers?"
II don't know" answered Wilton.
eth be part of u business TO see
that there isn't any more"
ut wasn't on our school curriculum
said the Engllshman thoughtfully.
Wilton only glanced at him, and
went into the store. Molly was on her
knees before her father, who had sunk
into q chair. The old mans face was
ashen white, but, as Wilton ap-
preached, he opened his eyes and
glared at linn.
"D-n ye!" he Kissed with unimagin-
able fury. This is your work! Get
| out of my store and never let me see
your face again! J"
He turned. and began to shuttle
away. dragging his palsied leg, his
right arm dangling. Wilton fell back,
and Mcdonald began to make his
way upstairs.
Wilton went up to Molly and took
her In his arms.
"Molly-MOlly, dear, It's all right
now" he said anxiously. "FOrgive
me! l couldn't have guessed those
men would have been wild beasts like
that. l thought Andersen could keep
them in control. Thank God, / came
when l didl"