Some over-zealous fool among the strikers
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Put out that light,”’ ordered big Sam. ‘ Allof you that can, get to the two front windows —you, Toliver, an’ you, Moten, here with me. 222 AT 2SHAFT. 11 All the rest of you lay flat on the floor. Now,as soon as that light gets bright, pick out yoreman, — don’t waste a shot, now — fire!”’ Sixpistols spat fire out into the night. There werecries of pain and the noise of scurrying feet asthe strikers fled pell-mell out of range. “Now, down on the floor!’’ commandedSam. The order came not a moment too soon, foran answering volley of shots penetrated the wallsand passed harmlessly over the heads of thosewithin. Meanwhile, some one seeing the mis-take of the burning cabin had ordered it extin-guished ; but this could not be done without theworkmen being exposed to the fire from theblacks’ citadel. So there was nothing to dosave to wait until the shanty had burned down.The dry pine was flaming brightly now, and litup the scene with a crimson glare. The greatrocks and the rugged mountain-side, with patchesof light here and there contrasting with thedeeper shadows, loomed up threatening andterrible, and the fact that behind those boulderslay armed men thirsty for blood made the sceneno less horrible. In his cabin, farther up the mountain side, 223
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