o effect an entrance. It is in the highest degree important that
Billings' crowd be prevented from getting in, until all our arrangements
have been made. Will you go on duty there until troops can be summoned?"

"We are willing to do everything in our power."

"Then arm yourselves with these guns."

Mr. Wright pointed to a number of muskets as he spoke, and Sam did not
delay in selecting a weapon.

"I must tell mother where I have gone or she will be worried," Fred
said, as he started toward the door.

"I will call upon her at once, and you need not delay."

"How long are we likely to remain on duty?"

"Only until troops arrive. We have telegraphed to the governor, and a
company should be here within the next twenty-four hours."

"It isn't probable the sentinels will take our word for it that you have
sent us."

"Here is a line to Donovan, and you had better start at once, for
there's no saying how soon the rioters may get tired of destroying
dwellings. Tell Donovan that we hope to send him a larger force soon."

The boys felt very much like soldiers as they marched toward the slope,
each armed with a gun and half a dozen cartridges, and the tumult which
could be heard distinctly, heightened the illusion.

"They have set fire to some building," Sam said, as he pointed to a
column of smoke which rose from the direction of the superintendent's
home. "If that kind of work has begun there's little chance of its being
ended while Billings' crowd hold the town."

"I ought to have staid with mother. There's no reason why I should help
fight the company's quarrels while she may be in danger."

"You could be of no assistance, and it is better to be out of the way,
for Skip and his gang will not remain quiet while it is possible to do
mischief."

"At the same time I should be with her," Fred replied; but making no
motion to return.

Upon arriving at the entrance to the slope they were stopped by a
sentinel who cried as he leveled his gun:

"Halt! What do you want?"

"We have been sent by Mr. Wright with a note to Donovan," Sam replied.

"Stay where you are, and I will call him."

"This looks like fighting," Sam said, as the sentinel shouted for the
breaker boss. "If they are afraid to let the boys come nearer than
hailing distance, what'll be done when the mob get here?"

"If the soldiers arrive things will be worse than they are now," Fred
said with a sigh, and then Donovan interrupted the mournful conver