Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1922-03-03

Of men he had to deal with. He knew
their wicked ways, how they thieyed,
how they used their nets against the
law, and how they shot game out Of
season. He remembered. too. how
many had been sent to prison with his
aid, but this day he hoped t get rid
of them all at once.
81 want to pay you fellows to go
away from Ithaca" He pumped the
proposition at them badly. IF it
hadn't been the easiest way out, I
wouldn't have considered it a minute.
But after talking it over with my law
yer, I've decided to give you all a
sum of money if you'll leave peacea-
bly,"
A sound of boots moving on boards
was his only answer. Polly coughed
n%ervously.
"NOw this is what I'm going to
offer" went on Mackenzie. mo M
can make me raise the price n cent.
I'll give you men twenty-five dollars
apiece; you sign over to me your
squatter rights; then take your wom-
en- and kids and CO."
There was not a word in answer to
this. Only Wee Jerry felt Daddy Hop
kins clasp him tighter.
Realizing that the stony silence that
met his offer was practically a re-
fusal. Mackenzie got to his feet.
"You can take it. or-or go to hi
&c. oil 7 oorof -, ho auolaf1naI
He turned toward the door; ana
then POllyop got back her breath, and
while the squatter men watched sui.
lenly, she stepped in front of him
you're in wrong, mister" she tlared
You're id generous, amt youi
twenty-five dollars wouldn't take US
anywhere, an where would we &C
anyhow? This amt movin' day in the
Silent City. You've made your talk
now scoot along"
beyond description. Her own blazed
back at him as she pointed toward the
door.
"Scoot OUT she repeated, IAN don't
be comm again."
Mackenzie lifted his riding whip
threateningly, and every man with a
growl started forward; but as the
whip fell back to his side, they sank
down again.
Then it was that he shifted the whip
to his left hand and took from his
pocket a shining pistol; and although
Il D01Ixy urhffnnaa ehn hold hn. nrOund
"And you, you impudent huzzy,"
snapped Mackenzie, what have you
got to do with it? What are you, any
wayY"
In spite of the deadly thing held in
the white, strong fingers, Polly's head
went up a bit.
"Im the littlest nanny in the
world" she said simply. I'm nanny
to this hull settlement. An us squat
tiers stays in the Silent City-see?'
The pistol came up with a click, anC
Mackenzie, enraged beyond control
struck Pnllyop two stinging blows will
the riding whip. Then he strobe on
into the open, and, holding high tn
weapon, passed through the frowninl
line Of watching women. He gave then
but a flashing disdainful glance. ant
when he turned around, Polly Hopkin.
was standing in the door, mOtionins
the women into the shack. He came
to a direct halt and shouted at her:
"Tn never offer money again, bu
out you'll all go, if nave to burn you
hutS abOut vOur heads"
AS if he had not poken, Polly gav'
him no heed but ushered woman afte
woman into the shanty.
"Td ruther he'd "a hit me than any
one of you,' she said, her flesh ting
ling with pain. "If you'd "a pounceC
on i'm, Daddy, or you, Larry, he'd a
popped one of you dead. Now lister
to me-"
Then she told them that Robert Per
cival had said the squatters SHOULD
stay in the settlement. She said sht
had had a promise from a man better
than Old Marc that he would helF
them. And thus she brought smile;
back to the faces of her miserable
friends; and as they went away, eacl
woman kissed her, and each man rev
erently placed his hand on her curly
head in blessing.
Continued Next Week.