"Shell the gorge down there. They're trying to dynamite the bridge!" Rush yelled.
A moment more and a volley of bullets from the rifles of the guardsmen raked the depths of the gorge with a hot fire.
The bridge was saved.
CHAPTER XXIV
CONCLUSION
A GREAT mob was packed in Liberty Hall later in the evening. There were no mutterings. The men were sullen and discouraged. Outside the hall was a platoon of guardsmen ready to fall in for whatever services might be demanded of them. The spirit of the striking men seemed to have been broken.
Three of the six who had gone down to plant the dynamite under the bridge had been killed by the fire of the guardsmen. Every shaft was guarded by armed men, with orders to shoot any man who approached the shaft after dark. The company was prepared to keep the siege up all winter if necessary, though they promised that, were the miners to throw out their leader and elect an honest man, the company might treat with them, looking toward a settlement.
The chairman rose. His face was solemn, but his eyes belied the solemnity of his face.