The Night Riders

gh

sharp contrast against the fitful light of a small br

s sky, and the night air was raw wit

uarry years before when the abutment of a bridge had been built over a small, swift stream near b

one of the men in

's hoofs comin' up the hill just

ed the bed of embers until it glowed with sudden fervor, while a shower of spar

one of the raiders. "There may be

of the shoulders and a hoarse laugh. "There's a reward of two hundred dollars offer

e's after it," s

ard be? It would melt or

at the stone b

to some of our members," the speaker continued, casting

ike gate, and Milt was chosen to do the cut

te won't be cut tonight, I'm

Captain co

N

lows-hear what t

o insist on me cutting it, either," added Derr, glancing about him with

e rich color in his cheeks, augmented by the ruddy glow of the firelight, deepened perceptibly, and quickly spread to his throa

the pole of the New Pike gate?" asked one of th

the other can be given right now. It seems a cowardly thing to do-the chopping down of a gate

ag'in," spoke up one of the men. "It's the gras

y the living of two worth

th toll-gates, an' have free roads, we can't play favorites, you know, by cuttin' down

as the men glanced in its direction, the captain emerged from t

leader's presence, and each man waited for his neighbor to make

Some one suggested that I would be c

s full on the speaker, while the semblance o

t pole, and especially if I was called upon tonight," continued the

for?" demanded the leader with

don't see the need of disturbing that gate for the present, whe

other keenly and coolly, the spirit of unfriendliness that had long held a place in each bosom was plainly evident, and a clashing of strong wills appeared imminent. There had ever been

be hard to guess," said the captain, a sneer lingering on

cause she's jilted him," retorted

sting of truth, and a look of hatred blazed for an instant in his eyes as he turned

nt a speedy settlement of old scores. Jade Beddow was not ready for such a course just yet, indeed he knew a better plan of revenge, so with st

ing him. "These can be left to another time an' place. Our business tonight is to strike another blow for our just