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^rCtlADLtS TOLL! BUCK ILLUSTRATIV ^C>.PHQDE$ CQPY/VG/fT?Y NFV/LLC T Then, aa the foremost figure, crouch tag In easy range of a window, braced himself on one knee and peered for? ward under his upturned hat-brim, there came the reports of several rifles?but they were not the rifles of the McBriar squad, and they camo not from th- hills in front, but from the laurel at the back. Thoy broko from directly between the carefully picked squad and its horses. The man who had braced his knee and cocked hU rifle gave out a briet, gurfllng sound as an oath was stiMed off ta a hemorrhage of the throat, and pitched forward on his face. After that the figure lay without stirring, its own blood reddening the rifle whose trigger-guard pressed against its ford head. The doors vomited men. There was a trailing and ragged outburst of fire? arms, and many dark figures plunged here and there across the silvered ?paoea where the shadows did not fall. Of the six men who had crept down, three had lain within one hundred Slowly Three of tho New Arrivals Hitched Their Way Forward. yards of the house when the shots came from their rear. The other three were off at the side, ready to bring op the horses as close as might provo safe when the moment camo for flight. Dut they, too, found themselves cut off. Had the man who fired on tho one who was about to fire waited one minute longer, there would have been laore deaths than the single one. His colleagues would then have been, like himself, covering their respective vic? tims?victims who confidently thought themselves executioners. But as It was, they had not quite yet worked themselves Into positions untrara meled by intervening rock and timber. The man who fired first knew this, for he had not heard the perfectly im? itated quaver of "scritch-owls" which was to signify a common readiness. But as he had eyed his crouching vic? tim across his rifle-bights he had also been able to look beyond him. and had seen the figure of Cal Douglas pause at the lighted window. He knew that to wait a moment would be to wait too long. So the others had to fire blindly through the black undergrowth at ?peedinf shadows?snd they missed. The fleeing murder squad melted bach into the black timber, and some of them, signaling with the call of frog and owl, came together in tem? porary safety. They dared not go to their own horses, since they might bo discovered in the effort. Tho road that led into the McBriar country would be watched. If they were to carry sway unpuncturod skins they must flee the other way?Into the Ha* ?ey torrltory and astrido stolen Havey hortet?. It was every man for himself, and they had not paused to count noses. They hurriedly swung them? selves Into saddles at the remote end of the line of hitched mounts and gal? loped pell-mell down the road toward the cabin of Fleteh McNash. When the theft of tho horses was discovered Anso Havey sent pursuing parties to ridu tho roads in both direc? tions. It had soomcd to Havey wiser to withhold his warning from all savo those whom he M?*4 to uso. To all tho rest tho affair had (dine without notice, and tho huo and cry which fol? lowed tho rlUo-shots was gonulnu in Its excitement. But In a very fow moments th* IHsfMonlum (ell away and nUt* fifttt supplanted tho shouting. Tim mountains b- h'i.d, wh ial nun were stealthily seeking eseupn and many others wem stalking them, lay silent lu the moonlight. A hundred yards bryond tho win? dow a small and inquisltlvo knot Ol men gather-d around a figure that had hun< h< d forward, sprawling on a cocked rifle. Someone tifau* tho iig I I I up and straightened its liuiba so that Uoy iliuuja fiut ?U?Ui tu iuvu grotesque attitude. The face, with tho yellow lantern-light shining down on it, was the face of a boy of twenty, j Its thin lips were set in a grim smile of satisfaction, for death had over? taken him without a suspicion of its coming. Perhaps, had a photograph of his retina boen taken, it would have dis-' closed the portrait of Cal Douglas pausing at tho open window. "Fit's little NaBh Watt!" exclaimed a surprised voice, U3ing the diminu? tive which in tho mountains takes the placo of Junior and stays with a man well on in life. Tha victim who had been designated to avenge tho death of Noah Watt had been Noah Watt's younger brother. Meanwhile the pursuing horsemen were gaining slowly on those that fled. The murder squad had failed and must bear back to Milt McBriar, if they ever got back, a narrative of frustrated effort. They were bitterly angry and proportionately desperate. So, as they clattered along the empty road, meeting no enemy whom they oould shoot down In appeasement of their wrath, they satisfied themselves with raising their war cry for tho ben? efit of tho sloeping cabins. A little distance beyond Fletch Mc Nash's place lay a cross-trail by which they might And a circuitous way back over the ridgo, but it was too steep and broken to ride. They could make j better time on foot over the "roughs," so there they abandoned their mounts and plunged into the timber. When the pursuers came up with the dis? carded horses they realized that fur? ther effort In the nighttime would be bootless. Yet, since the heaving flanks and panting nostrils of the horses testified that they had been only a few minutes late, they took a last chance and plunged into the thicket. There a single defiant shot, sent from a long way up the hillside, was their only challenge, and their volley of reply, fired at the flash, was merely a retort of hatred. But oven in tho iso? lation of the hills certain news travels on wings, and the morning would find every cabin dweller wearing a face of grim and sullen realization. The phrase which Fletch McNash had whis? pered to his boy would travel to the headwaters of every fork, and the faces of the women would once more wear the drawn misery of anxiety for their men. CHAPTER VII. It was Into this newly charged at? mosphere that Juanita Holland and her missionary guide rode in the morn? ing mists. Good Anse Talbott was In many ways an inadequate ally. He was both narrow and illiterate, but he was ear? nest At last the girl rode resolutely up to her escort's Baddle-sklrts and asked: Brother Talbott, hadn't you better tell me what It all means?" The missionary lifted a face that was almost haggard. "Hit means." he said, with no idea of irrbvorence, "thet Satan's got both underholts?an* God holp this coun? try." Thon he sketched for her the his? tory of the feud and deduced conclu sions from what they had both seen and heard. She listened with a sickening heart! i until he changed tho subject and told her that the Widow Everson, with whom she was to stop, had a sizable houso where she would be comfortable. At last the girl saw, still a long way off, a fertile little valley, whero the corn seemed taller and richer than on the scattered coves. There, liko a tiny matchbox, on a hi?h level near which the wall of mountain broke into a broad gateway, she could make out a house. It was not of logs, but of brick, and stood in an inclosure that looked more liko the Blue Grass than the mountains. "Does ye see yon brick house nigh ther gap? Thet's Bad Anse's placo, an' over thar acrost ther ridge, three milo away by crow-flight an' a half j day s ride by ther roads, is whar Milt McBriar dwells. Ye kain't see ait from hyar." It was almost sundown when they reachod the house of tho Widow Ever- j son, and at sight of the woman stand? ing at tho fence to meet them Juani ta's heart took strength. This house was not of logs, but of undressed boards, with gayly palntod window and door frames of red, and although two day9 ago she would have called It mean, sho had revised her views enough to regard it now as almost ?HlilMt Tho widow dwelt hore with her two sons, and the trio, by virtuo of great diplomacy, had succeeded in maintain? ing a neutrality throughout the strife. Tho comforts of tho place wero such as must serve to give contentment wher*? teaming is arduous and tho mall carrier comes twico a week, but oleanllncss dwolt there and homely cheer of a sort. Heforo they had yet ? ntered the houso the girl saw a horseman ap proaching with an escort ol several men who carried rifles balanced across their pommels. They came from the cast, and though Juanita did not know who they were, she recognized the cen? tral rider, himself unarmed, to be a person of consequence. He was tall, and under his faded coat his rather lean figure fell into an attitude of well-muscled strength de? spite his fullness of years. ""Evenln', ma'am," said the new? comer. "No, I hain't a-goin' ter light. I jest heered thet Brother Talbott was a-comin' over hyar, an' I wanted speech with him." The missionary nodded. "All right, Milt," he said, and the girl knew, as she had already suspect? ed, that here was a second of her chief enemies. "I reckon ye all knows what hap? pened last night," she heard him say? ing slowly. "Hit war a pity, an' I hears thet ther Haveys are a-chargin' hit up ergin me. Thet's nat'ral enough, I reckon. They 'lows thet I'd walk plumb acrost hell on a rotten plank ter do 'em injury. Ef they stopped ter reason hit out a spell they'd recollect thet I went over thar ter Peril an' let a jedge thet didn't own his own soul an' a Jury they hed done packed, clar one of their kinfolks fer klllln* a cousin o' mine?an' thet I never raised a hand. I reckon they didn't hardly heir no call ter Agger thet 1 was skeercd of them. I done what I done because I wanted peace. I was ter lettin* ther law take hits co'se, even when I knowed the cote war crooked es a drunkard's elbow." He paused, and no one spoke, bo at last he went on again. "But little Nash Watt war young an* hot-hearted. He could hardly see hit in ther light of wisdom, and he didn't come ter me fer counsel. So he Jest went holl-8plittin' over thar with somo other boys that he overpersuaded?an' ho didn't come back. I'm sorry. I was right fond of Little Nash, but I hain't complainin' none. He started trouble an' he got hit." Again the dark giant paused; then he came to his point. His voice was regretful, almost sad, but tinged with resignation. (TO BE CONTINUED.) WELL LET TOBACCO PASS. Allies Declare Weed Immune From Blockade. Washington. Nov. 26.?Senator Mar? tin, of Virginia, has scored a victory In his effort to have tobacco destined to neutral ports In Europe released from the blockade maintained by the' allies. The senator is informed today that the State department has a ca? blegram from the American minister at The Hague saying: "Tobacco imports to Netherlands at present free from OYOrssaj restric? tion." Consul General Skinner at London confirms this in a cablegram, declar? ing "that the British government agrees for the present not to interfere with cargoes of tobacco shipped to cosignee8 in neutral countries." Senator Martin understands this to be a diplomatic way of saying that the allies will no longer object to American tobaccos reaching Germany. VILLA'S POWER BROKEN. Abandons Nogales Without Firing a Shot?Has Only Small Force. Nogales, Ariz. Nov. 27.?-Gen. Villa's power has been rhattered. Abandon? ing Nogales, Sonera, without firing a shot, the former powerful leader is In full retreat southward, with only a remnant of hi? once great army. Gen. Obregon, who occupied Nogales, stat? ed that he has found the bodies of seventeen snipers, who were killed by the American troops in the fighting across the border. The Juarez garri? son is reported to be ready to desert Villa when the Carranza troops ap? pear. WOMEN PLEAD FOR PEACE. President Wilson Deluged With Lei? erst und Telegrams. Washington. Nov. 20.?The desire of the American women for peace found expression today when a dele? gation composed of Mrs. Henry Ford, Madame Roslka Schwimmer, of Hun? gary, and Mrs. Earl Snowdon, of England, urged President Wilson to lead In the peace move. More than twenty thousand telegram.} and letters poured into the White House. Wo? men's organizations all over the country held peace meetings. The president was deeply touched by the appeal but is convinced that the time is not opportune for action. RETALIATORY MEASFrF.s PLAN? NED. Iloke Smith iMMMig Faction Demand? ing Adlon AgfttttM England. Washington, Nov. 27.?With the aa Mmbllng of Democrati for the lei ?don of congress it becomes more cer? tain that retaliatory legislation against Britain Will he enacted Senator lloke Smith today stated that "We of the South have heer powerless until now. We are due to have our In? ning." A meeting of senators from the cotton states and the beef pro? ducing Western States Is expected to l>e held in a few days at which a pro grain will he mapped out. TICKET OFFICE ROBBED. More Than $300 Reported Missing lVom Cash Drawer.?PoHce at Work. Orar?Teburg, Nov. 28.?The South? ern Railway passenger station was robbed here this morning, between the hours of 12 and 4 o'clock, a little over ."5300 being stolen from the cash drawer in the ticket office. It was during this time, when there was no one on duty at the station, that the robber or robbers, with the aid of an axe, forced open the door leading into the ticket office from the colored waiting room, and then broke the lock of the drawer, secured the mon? ey and escaped. Evidence of the theft was discovered by Ticket Agent1 R. B. Hughes when he returned to his duties at the depot about 4 A. M. He found the door broken open, the axe lying nearby and the money gone from the drawer. The matter was then reported to the police. Several suspects of the robbery were later arrested at Branch ville, and a police officer was sent from here this morning to Investi? gate as to their guilt; but as no evi? dence of their having been implicat? ed in the theft could be procured, the parties were released. The axe was found to have been taken from the premises of a colored resident near the depot. No clue has yet been found as to whom the guilty party or parties are. ILL HEAI/TH CAUSES SUICIDE. Mrs. W. S. Thomas Dies at Own Hand in Yard of Home. Florence, Nov. 25.?Mrs. W. S. Thomas, wife of a former street su? pervisor here, shot and killed herself shortly after noon today She had been in ill health for some time, and recently had been Very nervous. She left a note under her plate on the Thanksgiving dinner table tefling her" husband to take care of the children for her and that no one was to blame for what she was to do but her wretched state of health. Mr. Thomas works at night in tho Atlantic Coast Line shops and slept until noon when he arose and dressed for dinner. As he went into the other room of the house Orte of the chil? dren told him that he*r mother had gone In the yard with something in her hand and that he had better sec. As he started into the yard he heard a pistol shot and found her dead. Her aim was true and steady and she did not live to suffer or to "make any statement. An inquest was held disclosing the facts as stated. They were both highly respected people and Mrs. Thomas' 111 health is> alone to blame for the tragedy. | Mr. and Mrs. Thomas came to Flor? ence from Bennettsville five or six. years ago. SWANSON A CANDIDATE. Virginian Wants to Be President Pro Tern of Senate. Washington, Nov. 27.?Senator Swanson of Virginia today announced his candidacy for president pro tern of the senate in opposition to Clark, of Arkansas. ATTACK ON PORK BARREL. Secretary McAdoo Wants to Abolish Omnibus Public Buildings Bill. Washington, Nov. 27.?Secretary McAdoo wants the omnibus public buildings bill abolished, and will ask congress to make appropriations on merit. Under the secretary's plans the buildings will be classified accord? ing to population, and appropriations will be reduced three-fourths in some instances. In many places buildings will be rented Instead of erected. TEN DEAD IN STORM. Little Rock and Surrounding Country Suffer from Force of Storm. Hot Springs, Nov. 28.?Ten dead, one fatally injured, and seven serious? ly injured is the toll of a storm which struck Hot Springs yesterday. Se? vere damage was done the surround? ing country, but small In the city property. Communications are still crippled. FIRE ON SHIP. Bomb Caused Fire on British Ship Sailing from New York. Bordeaux, Nov. 26?A fire, believ? ed to have been caused by a bomb placed on tho vessel at Now York, hroko out on the British steamer Hank dale a few days after the vessel sailed from America, which the crew succeeded in extinguishing. The ship arrived here today. President to Bee Football (Same. Washington, Nov. 2G.?President Wilson and Mrs. Gait and their party will witness the army-navy football came tomorrow at New York. They will, be the week-end guests of Col. House. ANSWERS BANKERS' CRITICISM. Comptroller of Currency Issues State? ment in "Reply to Repudiation of Usury Allegations. Washington, Nov. 26.?Tn reply to criticisms of the American Bankers' association In connection with declara? tion that many national banks charge usurious Interest rates, John Skelton Williams, comptroller of the cur? rency, issued a statement tonight again giving instances of such prac? tices. Mr. Williams said it wa- true that a majority of the national banks obeyed the usury laws of the various States, but that the reports rendered to him showed, as he announced in speeches and previously published statements, that this was far from being universally true. "The only States where there were no national banks which admitted un? der oath in their statements of Sep? tember 2, 1915, that they were charging as high as 12 per cent, on any of their loans were Connecticut, Delaware, Mississippi, New Hamp? shire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin," said the statement. It added that reports of September 2, 1915, showed that 2,243 of the 7,613 national banks were charging 10 per cent, on some loans. Mr. Williams suggested that here? after national banks be required to print in their published statement of condition the maximum rate of in? terest charged. He expressed the hope that the association will work with the comptroller's office to end the practices complained of. MANGLED UNDER TRAIN. Lemuel D. Dantzler, A. C. L\ Em? ployee, Meets Tragic Death at Or? angeburg. Orangeburg, Nov. 25.?A deplorable accident occurred here this morning at 11.50 o'clock, causing the death of Lemuel D. Dantzler, flagman oh the Atlantic Coast Line local freight, while the train was shifting here hear the railroad station. The deceased fell between two box cars to the track and was run over, having his head and both arms practically severed. The remains were later brought to the undertaking establishment of W. Hampton Dukes, where Magistrate C. P. Brunson conducted the inquest at 4 p. m. According to statements made at the inquest by the train crew and an employee at the Orangeburg Ice Man? ufacturing Company's plant, near the railroad track, who witnessed the ac? cident, the engine with three box cars was shifting on the warehouse side track at which time Mr. Dants ler was on the top of the middle car, and apparently lost his balance in at? tempting to loose the breaks, when he fell between the moving cars and was run over by one car and a pair of the engine trucks. The coroner's Jury re? turned a verdict ,viat the deceased came to his death by falling off a box car while in the discharge of his duty. Mr. Dantzler was about 31 years of age and had been in the employ of the Atlantic Coast Line Company for some time. He is survived hy his widow, who was formerly Miss Lena Hughes, of this city, anc two chil? dren, who reside about two miles from the city, across the Edlsto River. The community is shocked by this acci jdent and the untimely death of this highly esteemed young man, and the deepest sympathy is felt for the be? reaved ones. No funeral arrange? ments have yet been made. Mr. Dantzler's run brought him through Sumter and he had a num? ber of friends and acquaintances here to whom the news of his tragic death came this morning as a great shock. PROTEST AGAINST SMOOT. C. G. Patterson Claim's That Utah Senator Iteprcsents Sugar Trust. Washington, Nov. 26.?Registered letters protesting against Senator Smoot, of Utah, retaining his seat were received by every senator In Washington. It is alleged that Smoot represents tho Idaho-Utah Sugar Company, the statement Is signed by C. G. Patterson, of Salt Lake City. FIGHT ON ADMITTING BOOKS. Tom Watson Leads Legal Wrangle in Tils Own Behalf. Augusta, Nov. 27.?Attorneys in Watson's trial today renewed their wrangle over the admlsslhility of tes? timony regarding books written by the defendant, Watson aftM led his own flfrht, winning his point when the court decided that books as a whole and not certain excerpts should form the basis for judging works. Hot Supper. The ladies of Graham church will niv<> a Hot Supper for the benefit Of the church on Friday night, Decem? ber 3rd, at the residence of Mr. Rob? ert Holladay, (the old Brogdon home). The public is invited to attend. HELD ON SERIOUS CHARGE. B. R. Swygert Ares tod Yesterday Criminal Assault Alleged?Is Mar? ried Man. Columbia, Nov. 26.?B. R. Swygert, white, was lodged in the city jail yes? terday, charged with criminal assault upon a girl about 15 years old. Swy? gert Is a young married man, living in Brookland, but operates a pressing club on the 1500 block of Taylor street The assault is alleged to have occurred in the shop Wednesday night about 7 o'clock. The arrest was made by F. S. Strickland and E. L. Kibler of the city detective force. TO DISCUSS PRESIDENTS PLAN. Resolution Will Probably be Intro? duced at Meeting of National Guard Association. Columbia, Nov. 27.?It is very prob? able that a resolution will be intro? duced at the meeting of the National Guard association today asking that the South Carolina delegation in con? gress support the programme for preparedness as outlined by President Wilson. The association will meet in the office of the adjutant general at the State house. W. W. Moore, adjutant general, will make report to the association on ths meeting of the national association in San Francisco. Death of Mrs. Emily C. McKagen From The Daily Item, NOV. 27. Mrs. Emily Cecilc McKagen, widow of the late George P. McKagen of this city, died at 6 o'clock this morning at the home of her son, C. S. McKagen, 109 South Sumter street, after a short Illness. Mrs. McKagen before her marriage was a Miss Singlet?n. She was ^ daughter of Major William J. and Hortense Haynsworth Singleton, of this county, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed families of Sumter county. The deceased was 70 years of age last September. She is survived by six sons, Messrs. William J., Henry G? Geoi-ge P., Ol lle H., Charles S. of Sumter, and Hu? bert 8., of Greenville, and one daugh? ter, Mrs. George S. Morrison, of Co? lumbia. Also by four brothers, Messrs. John W., Joseph R., Charles H., and Wesley B. Singleton, and one sister, Mrs. George H. Lewis, all of Sumter. Mrs. McKagen lived all of her lrfe practically in Sumter city and Sumter county. 8he was loved by hundreds of people for her motherly and chart table deeds and sweet disposition. Her Christian life and character Were In? spirations to those who came tn con? tact with her. She was a devoted member of Trinity Methodist church of Sumter since her girlhood days. She took a great interest in church work, and oho was liberal with those In distress to the extent of her means. In sickness and distress she was a good Samari? tan to those in need of kindness, as? sistance and symapthy. A devoted wife, mother and sister, she was a true and loyal support to her large family, all of whom were devoted to her. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Her funeral services will be held at 10 o'clock tomorrow, (Sunday) morn? ing, from the residence of her son, C. S. McKagen, 109 South Sumter street. Rev. R S. Truesdale, of Trinity Methodist church officiating. Inter? ment at Sumter cemetery. Messrs. I* D. Jennings, C. M. Hurst, E. C. Haynsworth, S. H. Ed? munds, Bartow Walsh and T. S. Joye will serve as pall bearers. Death. Died last Monday at her home at Silver, Miss Annie Thames. The de? ceased was well known in Manning, having worked here at different times as trained nurse. She had been in bad health for a long time. Miss Thames was a daughter of the late C. C. Thames, and a sister of Mr. J. Walton Thames, formerly of this town. The funeral took place in the Manning cemetery Tuesday, conducted by Rev. L. B. McCord.?Manning Times. Fined for Dynamiting Fish. On last Monday Game Warden Grumble brought Tom Brown, colored, before Magistrate Heriott for using dynamite in Santee, but State Game Warden A. A. Richardson was here, and agTeed to compromise the case for $100.00, without trial. Brown was in the boat with Fralser Dlxon, when in shooting fish with dynamite, Dlxon wag killed about two weeks ago.? Manning Times. ?- ) Marriage. Gleaton Eugene Green, of Shiloh, .and Miss Sallle Robinson, of Turbe ville, wero married on Thursday after? noon at the parsonage of the First Haptlst church by the Rev. W. E. Thayer. At the same time another couple from Clarendon county were married, but the names of the parties could not be ascertained.