American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1922-04-21

uown. And POliyop, full of curiosity
and anxiety, sat down too, her bril-
liant eyes steadily leveled upon Mac
Kenzfe.
Hopkins" began Marcus, "T've
come with a proposal to you. If you've
got any sense, you'll impress its value
on the rest of your fellows here. for
by hook or by crook, l intend to break
up this settlement and burn these
shacks."
One long gasp came from Polly. Her
father said nothing but looked back at
the speaker as If he had not heard.
Daddy amt got the hull right to
say what's what" she interrupted sud
denly. There's lots of ~squatters.'
"Then call In some of the Others"
Mackenzie snapped. "And don't be
long about it. l want to know what's
going to be done before I GO"
Polly flashed a glance at her father.
go get 'em, brat" he directed. "An'
bring Larry"
Out into the settlement she went,
and when she came back into the
shanty, there followed her an angry
set aof illy-clothed men and outside a
sullen group of women waited to hear
what Old Marc had to offer.
One by one the men silently ranged
themselves in a row around the hut
wall while Polly stood at her fathers
shoulder, one hand resting upon 1t,
and the other on Wee Jerry's head.
Marcus Mackenzie knew the group
Of men he had to deal with. He knew
their wicked ways, how they thieved,
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 to get rid
Of them all at once.
II want to pay you fellows to go
away from Ithaca" He pumped the
proposition at them BADLY. "f it
hadn't been the easiest a out, I
wouldn't have considered 1t 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
nervously.
"Now this is what I'm going to
OFFER" went on Mackenzie. mo one
can make me raise the price one 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
for all l careI" he exclaimed.
He turned toward the door; and
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 fiared
you're did generous. amt you
twenty-five dollars wouldn't take us
anywhere. an where. would we go
anyhow? This amt movln' day in tht
Silent City. You've made your talk
now scoot along"
Marcus fixed her with eyes angry
beyond description. Her own blazed
back at him as she pointed toward the
door.
"Scoot out" she repeated, am DOM
De comm again."
AfoaLrnn1fof IgFAo5 he .tIt-- ,ybEx
threateningly, and every man with &
growl started forward; but as tbs
whip fell back to his side, they sanl
down again.
Then it was that he shifted the whiI
to his left hand and took from hi
pocket a shining pistol and although
Polly whitened, she held her ground.
And you, you impudent huzzy,'
snapped Mackenzie, what have yol
got to do with it? What are you, any
wayT
In spite of the deadly thing held il
the white, strong fingers, POlly's heat
went up a bit.
"Tm the littlest nanny in thu
world she said simply. I'm MANN!
to this hull settlement. An us squat
tiers stays in the Silent City-seeT'
The pistol came up with a click, ant
Mackenzie, enraged beyond control
struck Polly0p two singing blows witt
the riding whip. Then he strobe GU
into the open, and, holding high tn
weapon, passed through the frowninl
line of watching I'M He ave then
! but a flashing disdainful glance, am
when he turned around, Polly Hopkin
was standing in the door, m~Otionin
J the women into the shack. He cam
: to asdirect halt and shouted at her:
"Til never offer money again, bu
d out you'll all go, If | have to burn you
huts about your heads"
AS if he had not spoken, Polly CAV
7 him no heed but ushered woman afte
y woman into the shanty.
:, I'D ruther he'd "a hit me thar any