The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-12-29
CHAPTER XVI
III

none at all. The reason was merely
that heavy banks OF clouds swept up
from the southeast just after sunset.
They came with rather startling rap
idity and almost Immediately complete
Iy filled the sky. Young Bill had many
things on his mind as he rode beneath
them, yet he found time to gaze at
them with some curiosity. They were
Of singular greenish hue. and they
hung SO low that the tops Of nearby
mountains were Obscured.
The fact that there would be no
moon tonight was no longer important.
The clouds would have cut of any tell
tale light that might illumine the ae-
tivities Of the Turner'S. There would
not be even the dim mist OF starlight
Young Bill rode from house to house
through the estate-the homes occu-
pied by Simon's brothers and cousins
and their respective families. He
knocked on each door and he only
gave one little message. Simon wants
you at the house," he said, "and come
heeIed."
He would turn to so, but always
singular quiet and breathlessness re-
manned In the homes after his de-
parture. There would be curious
exchange Of glances and certain signif-
icant sounds. One of them was the
metallic click of cartridges being
slipped into the magazine of rifle.
Another was the buckling on of spurs,
and perhaps the rattle Of pistol in
its holster. Before the night fell in
reality, the clan came ridlng-strange,
tall figures In the half-darkness-
straight for Simon's house.
His horse was saddled, too, and he
met them In front Of his door. And in
a very few words he made all things
plain to them.
We've found Dave" he told them
simply. Most of you already know 1t.
We've decided there isn't any use Of
waiting any more. We're going to the
Folger house tonight"
The men stood silent, breathing
hard. Simon spoke very quietly, yet
his voice carried far. In their growing
excitement they did not observe the
reason, that puzzling. deep calm had
come over the whole wilderness world.
Even In the quietest night there Is u.s.
ually q faint background OF winds in
the mountain realms-troubled breaths
that whisper In the thickets and rustic
the dead leaves-but tonight the heavy
air had no breath Of life.
Tonight Bruce Folger is going to
pay the price, Just as / said" He
spoke rather boastingly; perhaps more
to impress his followers than from Inn
pulse. Indeed, the passion that he
felt left no room for his usual ar
rogance. Fire on sight. Bill and
will come from the rear, and we will
be ready to push through the back door
the minute you break through the
front. The rest Of you surround the
house On three sides. And remember
no man Is to touch Linda"
They nodded grimly; then the file
OF hOrsemen started toward the ridge.
Far distant they heard sound such
as had reached them often in summer,
but was unfamiliar In fall. 1t was
the faint rumble Of distant thunder.
Bruce and Linda sat In the front
room Of the Folger house, quiet and
watchful and unafraid. 1t was not
that they did not realize their danger.
They had simply taken all possible
measures Of defense; and they were
waiting for what the night would
bring forth.
II know they'll come tonight" Linda
had said. Tomorrow night there will
be a moon, and though 1t won't give
much light it will hurt their chances
OF success. Besides-they've found
that their other plot-to kill you from
ambush-isn't going to work."
Bruce nodded and got up to examine
the shutters. He wanted no ray Of
light to steal out into the growing
darkness and make a target. 1t was
a significant fact that the rifle did not
occupy its usual place behind the desk
Bruce kept 1t In his hands as he made
the inspection. Linda had her empty
pistol, knowing that 1t might-in the
mayhap Of circumstance-be Of aid In
frightening an assailant. Old Elmira
sat beside the fire, her stiff fingers busy
at piece Of sewing.
"Y0u know" Bruce said to her,
shat we are expecting an attack to-
ntghti"
The woman nodded. but didn't miss
a stitch. No CLEAN Of interest came
into her eyes. Bruce's gaze fell to
her work basket. and something gilt
tered from its depth. Evidently Elmira
had regained her knife.
He went back to his chair beside
Linda, and the two sat listening. They
had never known q more quiet night.
They listened in vain for the little
night sounds that usually come steal
ing, SO hushed and tremulous, from the
forest. And they both started, ever so
slightly, when they heard distant
rumble Of thunder.
"It's going to storm" Linda told
him.
Eyes. A thunderstorm-rather un-
usual In the fall, isn't it?"
Almost unknown. It's growing cold,
too"
They waited breathless minute,
then the thunder spoke again. 1t was
UNNECESSARILY nearer. Twas as if It
had leaped toward them. through the
darkness, with incredible speed in the
minute that interviewed. The last echo
OF the sound was not dead when they
heard 1t third time.
The storm swept toward them and
increased IN fury, On a distant hill
side the strange file that was the Turn
ers halted, then gathered around 81
mon. Already the lightning made vivid,