The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-06-06
CHAPTER IV-continued.


THAT'S the kind OF war Mr. Land
son makes. Well, we can fight back
with the same weapons, but that won't
cut the hay, will itT'
By this time Y.D. and Transley,
with four other teamsters, were OBJ
served coming in Each driver had
had the same experience. An iron
stake, carefully hidden in a clump Of
grass, had been driven down into the
ground until it was just high enough
TO intercept the cutting-bar. The fine,
sharp knives were crumpled against
It; in some cases the heavy cutting
bar, IN which the knives operate, was
damaged
YD's face was black with fury.
THAT'S the lowest. mangyest, cow
ardliest trick I ever had pulled on
me- he was saying. I'm plumb equal
TO ridin' down to Landson's an driv-
In one Of them stakes through under
his short ribs"
But can you prove that Landson
did itY' said Zen, who had an element
of caution In her when her father was
concerned She had vision of a fight,
with Landson pleading entire ignor-
ance OF the whole cause OF offense,
and her father probably summoned by
the police for unprovoked assault.
NO, I can't prove that Landson
did II, an can't prove that the grass
my steers eat turns TO hair on their
backs" he retorted. but L reach my
own conclusions. Is there any shoot
IN irons In the placed"
Now, Dad, that's enough" said the
girl, firmly. @ThereIl be no shooting
between you and Landson. II there is
10 be anything Of that kind I'll ride
down ahead and warn him of what's
coming"
'sDarter," said YD.-it was only on
momentous occasions that he ad-
dressed her as daughter-"I brought
you over here as a guest, not as man.
ager o. my affairs I've taken care of
those affairs for some considerable
years, an reckon / still have the
qualifications II you're a-goin' to act
up obstrep'rous I'll get Mr.. Transley
TO lend me man to escort you home"
AT your service, Y.D.," said George
DraZk, who was in the crowd which
daughter. and Transley. THAT Pete
horse an me would JUS see her over
the hills a-whoopin'."
Il don't think il would be wise to
take any extreme measures, at least,
not just yet" said Transley. IT'S
out of the question to suppose that
LandsOn has picketed the whole val
ley with those stakes. 1t Is now quite
clear why we were left In peace YES
terday. He wanted US TO get started.
and get few swaths cut, so that he
would know where TO drive the stakes
to catch Us the next morning. Some
of these machines can be repaired at
once. and the others within a day or
two. We will just move over a little
and start on new fields. There's pref
ty good moonlight these nights and
We'll leave few men out on guard.
and perhaps we can catch the enemy
at his little game. Let us get one of
YD. was somewhat pacitied by this
suggestion. You're a practical devil.
Transley," he said, with considerable
admiration. "Now, In a case of this
kind l jus get plumb tightin' mad.
want to bore somebody. l guess It's
the only kind o. procedure that comes
easy 10 my hand. / guess you're right.
but l hate to let anybody have the
laugh on me-" Y.D. looked down the
valley, shading his eyes with his hand.
THAT son-of-a-gun has got dozen or
more stacks down there. / don't wish
nobody any hard luck, but If some
tenderfoot was TO drop a cigar"
In that case suppose you'd prav
for a west wind Dad" Zen suggested
but the winds in these valleys. even
with your prayers TO direct them. are
none too reliable"
Everybody TO work on fixing mn
these machines" Transley ordered
"Linder, make list of what repsIrs
are needed and Drazk will ride m
town with 1t at once Some of them
may have TO come out from the citv
hy express. Drazk can get the orders
in and team will follow to bring
out the repairs"
In a moment Transley's men wers
busy with wrenches and hammers. re
placing knives and appraising dam
ages. Even in his anger Y.D. took
approving note of the promptness of
Transley's decisions and the zest with