Down the Slope Part 18

It was too late for Brace to return; in a twinkling the men had surrounded him. Fred and Sam saw a short but sharp struggle, and before they could so much as make a move toward going to his a.s.sistance he was overpowered.

Attracted by the cries of their companions, those at the front of the house came around swiftly, and Brace was half carried, half forced into the street.

Mrs. Byram tried to plead with the mob; but they pushed her aside without ceremony as they shouted:

"We'll show them at the store how we deal with spies and traitors."

"We've got the rope and the sneak, now we only need two or three of the bosses to fix the thing up brown."

"Do you suppose they really mean to hang him?" Fred asked in a tone of awe, and Sam replied sadly:

"I'm afraid they will. Billings always was down on him, and the men are so excited as to hardly know what they are about, so anything is possible."

CHAPTER X

THE RESCUE

The capture of Brace seemed to inflame the pa.s.sions of the mob, and not even while the buildings were being sacked was the town in such a state of excitement.

By the time the prisoner had reached the vacant lot in front of the store it appeared as if every man, woman, and child in the village were on the street.

Sam and Fred felt impelled to follow the howling, shrieking mob, although it was not probable they could aid the unfortunate man, and both pressed as near as possible.

"Billings' gang haven't got possession of the mine yet," Sam whispered.

"How do you know?"

"Because if that had happened we would see Bill Thomas or Donovan around here somewhere."

"Perhaps they have been made prisoners."

"It isn't likely. Even if they couldn't hold their own it would be possible to retreat in good order, armed as they were."

"Don't you suppose Mr. Wright will try to do something if these fellows really mean to hang Brace?"

"They are bound to help him; but I don't see what can be done against so many."

Owing to the crowd around him it was impossible for the boys to see the prisoner. The men swayed to and fro as if fighting among themselves, and after a time the reason of these movements was made plain.

Two long pieces of timber had been lashed together at one end, and set up like the letter V inverted. These were held in place by some of the mob, and drove through the fastenings at the top was a long rope.

Billings was on hand acting as master of ceremonies, and when this portion of the work had been finished, he shouted:

"Half a dozen of you take hold of the rope, an' when I count three, string him up."

In an agony of apprehension Fred looked toward the store. No one appeared at the door; it seemed as if the bosses had abandoned Joe Brace.

"Stand ready, boys!" Billings shouted. "We'll soon show 'em how we serve out spies."

There was a moment of painful silence, during which more than one of the mob acted as if frightened because of the terrible crime about to be committed, and then an old miner cried:

"Hold on! This thing has gone far enough!"

"What do you mean?" Billings asked angrily.

"Just this: I joined your crowd to stand up for my rights not to commit murder. There's been mischief done already, an' the most of us will be sorry when we've had time to think the matter over."

"Hold your tongue and go home like the rest of the old women."

"I'll stay where I am, an' you'll be the one to go home if the boys take my advice."

Then continuing, the old man reminded the throng that he had worked at Farley's longer than the majority could remember. He spoke of the fact, that until this day, there had been no mob rule; intimated that they were blindly following one in whom very few ever reposed confidence, and asked if they were willing to hang a friend simply because Billings commanded it.

The speech was a long one, and before twenty words were spoken as many determined-looking men gathered around Brace to prevent any harm from being done.

"Don't listen to the old fool," Billings cried, in a voice hoa.r.s.e with rage; but now very few paid any attention to him, and, when the prisoner's friend finished his appeal there was no danger a human life would be taken.

Some of those who had been most eager to drag Brace away unloosened his bonds, and at least a hundred stood ready to defend him.

At this juncture Mr. Wright came from the store, and the mob were in the proper frame of mind to listen.

He explained the true condition of affairs, told exactly why the works had been shut down, and finished by promising to let the matter be forgotten, regardless of the amount of property destroyed, in case the mob should disperse.

"And if we go home, what then?" Billings asked, sneeringly. "We'll starve to please you, eh?"

"Those who attempted to flood the mine will not starve at Farley's, for all in the plot must leave. Not one of that party can work here; but the others shall be treated as before."

"So we're to be driven out?"

"Certainly. It isn't probable any honest miner would care to work with those who may succeed in drowning their fellows simply to gratify a spite against the officers of the company."

"It will take more than you to drive us away."

"I can at least prevent you from entering the mine, and that I shall do even if it is necessary to station guards entirely around the property.

Are you willing to go home now, men, with the a.s.surance that work shall be resumed in the morning."

"Ay, that we are, an' glad of the chance. It was out of the fryin'-pan into the fire when we left one set of bosses to take up with Cale Billings an' his cronies," a miner shouted and immediately the mob dispersed, leaving the leaders standing in the lot, evidently consulting as to how their lost power might be regained.

When Brace was at liberty he joined Sam and Fred, and the three walked to the latter's home, neither speaking until they were inside.

"Do you think the strike is really over?" Mrs. Byram asked, after Fred told her of what had occurred.

"It is so far as the majority of the miners are concerned," Brace replied; "but there's no telling what Billings may contrive to do between now and morning."