Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1924-05-03

formed by the wall and roof, and
Cropped fiat at Sans feet Winton
fred out into the black faces massed
beneath Another scurry followed and
two more natives wtthed on the
ground.
The mine boys had discarded the
trappings of standardization. The OBJ
sequlous dggers had become native
warriors, dressed for the most part in
lolncloths alone. Their rolling eyes
and painted faces gave them dIa-
bolIcal aspect
From the window Wlnton could see
fires rising everywhere along the
fields.
"If we can hold out half an hour
help mus come" he said to Sam.
But IS he spoke he heard "A cracking
sound above him and thin wreaths of
smoke began to coil through the roof.
Tbs mob had withdrawn a little space
end howled In triumph around the cot
sHge
The structure was OF brick, but there
was wooden roof. baked so dry by
the sun that the rains had hardly az
fected Il. Burning brands had lit on
IL In half dozen places.
AS Wint0n looked wildly about him
be caught sight of Sam going through
extraordinary antics. lie had began
70 tear on his clothes as fast as he
was able, until he stood up bare to the
waist. In spite Of their desperate sit
pation Wlnton was shocked at the
Negroes action.
Have you gone mad, Sam?" he de
handed angriy.
But Sam. not satisfied snatched up
= knife and began ripping off the legs
df his trousers at the knees He
picked up the spear The transforma-
ton was astounding Sam Simpson
had evolved into one of the wild ne
gtoes Of the compound,
The roof was blazing. There came
another rush against the door The
yells were deafening Winton caught
Sheila to him ana tried to reassure
her In the brief interval Of recharging
his revolver. But the girl was terror
stricken, and size could hardly hide
Der fears, She chung to Winton.
trembling.
The tunnel" gasped Sam. drag
ging Wlnton by the arm.
And the thought Of this had not en-.
te;ed Wlntons mind The safe had
slood over the hole ever since the
robbery They pulled 1t aside Be
peath 1t CAPPED the excavation.
Get down, SAM" cried Winton ms
the sayages. believing that Wlnton
was cowed, or had no more ammunl-
ton, made a concerted rush. The door
began to splinter.
Sam lowered himself Wluton swung
Sheila down and followed. He meant
70 try and replace the snfe from below,
but his feet had hardly touched the
soft earth before the door crashed
from It's hinges. He dyed after hts
companions, and heard the mine boys
shouts OF discovery. Their feet. which
seemed immediately overhead. made
the walls Of the tunnel trembIe, Fine
dust from the conclusion set the three
to choking.
'Go on with Miss Shella, SAM"
whispered W,ntoG
He leyeled his revolver along the
tunnel Ii was quite dark, but I'M
less his ears failed him It would be
impossible to miss his mark,
He heard the natives whispering to.
gether above and the sudden silence
made the tunnel eerier than ever.
They were at an immense disadvan-
tage. for 1t was impossible to hurt
spear within the narrow passage,
though one could be used Tor thrust
ing with deadly effect But first the
thruster would have 60 assume a prone
position, and WInton knew that his
revolver would have thus several sec
onds start OF the spear
He waited hardly breathing, until
there came TO his ears. very family.
fhe touch Of bare feet upon the
ground, followed by the suppressed
breathing II a man not far away.
one Of the negroes was evidently
at the bottom OF the excavation. but
the excavation Immediately beneath
The safe was wider than the tunnel
itself and projecting angle Of soft
earth afforded shelter The manor
mcknight Therefore be out OF the
direct line of tlle. Wlnton drew
match softly from his pocket and
struck Il suddenly along the side of
his revolver butt. The little ha.ing
Hight revealed the white eyehaus and
peering face Of one of the sayages.
not dozen feet distant Another
face was looking over the shoulder.
Everything above was deathly stiu
The mans arm was drawn back. the
spear. with murderouS ShoveIblade
held ready 10 thrust. Winton fired
pointblank into the omen mouth.
The match went out simultaneously
With the discharge There followed
8 choking cry and the sound OF blood
bubbling from the throat, An ous-
k@Tst u yslla from above rolled In &