Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1870-08-04

, Would the five minutes never
pass? Frank still stood directly
in front, watch in hand, and the
gun under his arm. He had lit a
cigar, and was as-lounging lazily back
in the cave as he appeared. l
knew him too well to doubt that
he would hesitate for a moment
in going or firing as he had prom
ised. At that time he was giving
his antagonist fearful odds.
1t was now that | began to re.
alize the part | had to play. 1t
was unfortunately too plain. The
man must be disabled before he
Feommits another murder. That
corid only be done by shoot
ing him down. In fair fight ]
would not, | think, have hesita-
ted; but my blood ran cold at the
idea now. Yet what was [ to do /?
There was no other way to save
my friends life, and God help me,
it must be done.
Il nerved myself up to fire at
all risks the instant / saw the
murderer putting his finger to the
trigger of his pistol, and had just
brought my gun up when Franks
voice rang out loud and clear,
Your time has come-look up!'
Involuutarily he did so, and /
caught his eye. A spasm of NOR
Italfear shotacross his scountenance.
He made an effort to raise his
pistol, but wire cartridge from
Franks gun in the cliff behind,
passed within an inch of his head.
The weapon dropped from his
hand; in three bounds Frank had
him in his clutch dragging him
over the rock, and the struggle be-
gan. ~
1t was short struggle, but
from the features OF the ground a
fearful one. A careless step
would have sent the two over the
precipice to the shelf below, and
from there one hundred feet down
into the ocean. Both were strong,
powerful men; in weight the mur-
derer was greatly superior, but in
science and activity there were
few able TO cope with Frank.
The murderer struggled hard
for an inside place, and succeeded
in getting kind of cleft in the
rock, which gave him a slight ad |
vantage. 1t was only momentary;
Frank tore him from it with a |
pull that brought some loose
stones crashing down, and with
shock the two men went stagger-
ing to the very edge of the cliff.
Icould stand it no longer; there
was a long check cord which /
brought for my dogs, in my poc@-
ct; fastening it to a bush | lowered
myself down. AS | touched the
ground he succeeded in drawing a
knife. Frank parried the thrust,
and disengaging his left hand
struck him twice. The man
dropped upon his knees and be-
gan to beg for mercy. / rushed
up with vague feeling of terror.
AS | came up the unfortunate
wretch cried out:
Save me, for Gods sake, sir!
He's going to throw me over!
/ looked at Franks face
There was an expression there |
never saw before, and would not
like to see again.
Let him go, Frank l shouted /;
that is the hangman's work not
yours
He did not hear me; grasping
the fellow with both hands, he
swung himself around, and flung
him off with all his strength
1t was well the coat was made of
the strongest freize; as it was we
were neally going over together.
[ laid him on his back, where he
without strength or mo-
tion. Frank glared at him for a
moment and then took my hand
and said slowly:
You are a good fellow, Harry,
and I thank you. / did not
know what | was doing
He turned away with a shud-1
der, while | poured out some
brandy from my flask and poured
it down the murderer's throat.
He recovered after a time and
sat up, staring wildly around and
trembling all over. / never saw
a wretch SO completely subdued.
He clung to me for protection,
and became abjeot and cringing
as he was insolent before.
We waited until dusk, and
brought him to the police bar
racks. Before sunrise the next
morning he was twenty miles on
his way back from whence he
came. At the next court he was
tired and convicted. The judgel