The Portland daily press., 1873-05-17

and there in shut-in skittle alley l caught
sight of the gang, eight in number, and with
three sailors in tow. felt qualmish, but
knew that it wouldn't do to give way to that
feeling, and so seeing my gentleman there in
the midst as large as life, put on my boldest
face, bounced into the alley, and shutting the
door, placed my back against it. Though
the gang were taken by surprise, they acted
cleverly enough; they didn't know which of
them might be wanted, and not one of them
said word or moved an inch, but noticed
my man pick up beer pot and make pre-
tence OF slipping at it, though could see easv
enough that his real move was to be ready to
Hing 1t at my head if it should turn out that
he was the man wanted,
L caught his eye, and in an off handed tore
said.
"Oh, you know it's you I've come for, then;
put take my advice, don't do anything in the
potthrowing line. 1t will only make things
worse Tor you, for the house is surrounded,
ana there are men enough in reserve 10 take
a houseful of you.' ;.
Il shall make it death OF glory this time"
he answered, "and so here goes" and as he
spoke the words he threw the pot as hard as
he could. and then made a dash tor window
at the end of the alley. The pot just skim
med my ear, and then was on to him like
panther, and dragged him back just as he got
about half way out of the window. I downed
him, and had all but mastered him, when one
Of the gang, that had popped out as soon as
my back was from the door, came running
back to tell the others that it was all gam
mon about there being reserve. This was
enough for them. Without another word
said, they made a rush towards me; and,
though still held my man, my heart grew
cold, and prayer flashed through my mind,
for felt that was face to face with death.
knew that they'd stick at nothing, and that
the very same gang had kicked a man to
death only a few months before. But / was
in luck
would have called to the sailors for help,
but they looked helplessly drunk, and two of
EN- was, but the third ,sas it happened, was
only half-seas over. He was big lump of a
fellow, a Yankee mate, as knew afterwards,
and about as cool and bold card as there
well could be. As they sprang forward, so
did he, and whipping out revolver, says he,
in an aggravated sort of way, Gentlemen,
fair play is jewel, and like to see it respec-
ted-and so 1 will. They are man to man,
and pretty fairly matched, and if the officer
can take him, he shall" Whether or not he
would have fired at them, they mast have be-
lieved SO, for they skunk back. All the same
they had done good thing for their mate.
While this had been going on had, with
out knowing it sackened my hold, and my
man, putting out all his strength in a sudden
move, threw me of, and got on to his feet,
and before could close with him again, had
drawn life preserver. He made dash at
me with it, and aimed crushing blow at my
head.
Fortunately it only reached my shoulder,
but even there it was crippler for the time
being, for / felt my arm drop useless at my
side. He staggered bit from partly missing
his blow, and before he could recover himself
was along side of him, and he went over like
a ninepin, and held up his hands to have his
bracelets put on.
1t was only about two minutes job alto
gether, but it was mighty tough one, can
tell you, and dangerous one, too; and what
say is, that when people talk about police
men, they should remember that they never
know the day nor hour when, in the
way of duty, they may have to tackle a job in
which their life is at stake.