taps sufficed to attract the
widow's attention, and the visitor received no less warm a reception
than did the son.

Brace was so impatient to learn what had been done by the rioters that
he descended the stairs immediately upon hearing the boys' voices, and
while Mrs. Byram prepared supper, Fred and Sam gave an account of their
own adventures, as well as all which was known concerning the mob.

"So I'm to sneak over to the store, eh?" the miner asked, as the recital
was concluded.

"That was what Mr. Wright said."

"I'll do nothin' of the kind."

"Why not?"

"Because I've had enough of hidin' like a fellow who had done somethin'
wrong."

"But it isn't safe to show yourself."

"I'll take the chances, an' see what Billings' gang can do."

"Don't think of such a thing," Mrs. Byram cried in alarm. "You might be
killed."

"A fellow who has worked a matter of half a dozen years at Farley's
can't be knocked out so easy."

"Are you going into the street?"

"Yes, an' to the mine if I take the notion."

"What could you do alone against two or three hundred men?"

"Show that there is one fellow who ain't afraid of the whole murderin'
gang."

"That would be the height of foolishness."

"I can't help it," was the dogged reply, and Brace rose to his feet as
if to leave the house.

Both Sam and Fred sprang up to detain him; but before a word could be
spoken by either, angry shouts and cries were heard in the distance.

"They are up to fresh mischief," Sam exclaimed, as he cautiously pulled
back the curtains to look out.

"There are a dozen of the rioters on the sidewalk," he cried, "and they
are evidently watching us."

Brace ran to Sam's side, and the instant he showed himself some of the
men shouted:

"Here's the traitor! We've got him caged!"

"String him up!"

"Yank him out so's the bosses can see how we treat spies!"

These cries were echoed by the body of men who were approaching on a
run, and Mrs. Byram said, as she drew Brace from the window:

"They have learned you are here, and in their mad excitement murder may
be committed."

Then came from the street as if to give emphasis to her words:

"Hang him! Hang him! He's worse than the bosses!"

"You must go to the store now," Sam cried.

"What's the good? They will get in there as easily as here."

"Mr. Wright and his men are well armed and can protect you."

"There has been no shootin' done yet, an' I'll not be the cause of the
first