The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-08-27

"The flask belongs 70 me-" retorted Jack.
"His shootin' war all accidental. He only
happened TO hit whar he did. But then, he
ken have the flask if he cna ga It, or you
either"
Tarbox bit his lip, and looked to the
other members of the party, undecided
how to act. Seeing his irresolution Ranney
stepped forward, and said:
"Don't trouble yourself, Mr.. Tarbox.
The flask is mine, and 1 will see to get
ting it."
"You will, eh ~ snarled the bully. "Git
away from me-out of arms reach-or I'll
smash ye like a roast tatef -
Thus speaking the giant swung his fists
about, but the young 1nan did not move.
Instead he received blow upon the head
which knocked away his hat, and seemed
TO change his whole nature to that of a
young lion. With strength and agility
wholly unlocked for he dealt the giant a
fearful blow full upon the nose, which,
Knocked him to the ground, and deluged
the uncomely face and beard with torrents
OF blood. There was a momenta1y strug-
gle upon the ground after the bully
fell, and then Stephen stepped back a pace
or two.
In moment the rufTian was upon his
feet again, and with fearful curse he
placed his hand where he expected to find
revolver. But it was gone Then he
sought for his knife, but that too was miss
ing. The young man had taken the pre-
caution of removing them, so that now the
two stood upon equal ground. But what
contrast Nine inches in height the
bully lowered above his antagonist. while
in actual weight he was more than twice
his equal.
There was no rarley or hesitation. Find
ing himself weaponless Jack rushed for
the young man, and would have crushed
him in a deadly grasp, but the young man
did not wait for the process. A quick,
herce blow, falling just whore the other
had fallen staggered the rascal, and be-
fore he could see what had become of the
man he supposed already in his grasp. a
tremendous crack in the ear brought him
again to the ground. Again he scrambled
to his feet, and again he was knocked down
by single reverberating blow The third
time he arose, but before he could wipe the
blood from his eyes sufficiently to distin-
guish his antagonist the hard earth again
became his bed.
This time he did not rise immediately
1t was patent to every one before this
stage of the encounter that he was over
matched for once, and at last that fact
seemed to have become clear to his own
mind. Drawing the flask from his pocket he
cast it upon the ground muttering saw.
agely:
"There's yer old flask , Take it if yer
wan, it so bad ~
Stephen stepped to the spot where the
coveted piize lay and picked it up, placing
it beside his rifle. Then turning to again
to the discounted bully, who had now risen
to his feet, he continued.
slack Dunlaw, l am not done with YOU
yet. A few days ago you brutally insulted
Cora Russell. / could have shot you dead
and l should have done it had l not pitied
you. Now you can take your choice-go,
and on your knees ask her pardon, and
then quit this place forever or die where
you stand This quarrel is not of my
seeking, but now that you have begun it
take your choice. L give you three minutes
to decide"
half-dozen watches were produced,
and the attention of our party was divided
between their owly-Inoving hands and the
excited group before US. At first it seemed
as though Jack desired to renew the fight
He looked around upon those who had
been his confederates, but their sympathy
had gone, and it was apparent that Stephen
Ranney had in moment become the hero
of the occasion. Jacks eyes, too, were
nearly closed from the energetic blows he
had received, and his courage, if any he
had ever possessed, seemed to have gone
entirely.
A nod, a watch closed and returned to
the pocket of its owner, announced the ex-
piration of the time. Not / change Of
muscle or expression passed over Ste
phen's features as he remarked:
"The time is p,,Jack Dunlaw; viii you
live or die ~
Jack looked around once more and plain
lively asked:
"What do you cay. boys ~
ado as he tells yer" replied one who had
been Jacks most devoted supporter in
times past
The last hope seemed to leave the con-
tempdble giant. In voice weak and
wavering ne said:
"Tll leave, that orter satisfy ye."
"You will do what l said, or"
The sentence remained unspoken. Jack
Dunlaw bowed his head, and walked meek
ly away to make the required apology. 1
did not follow, though many did. Five
minutes later / saw him, the blood washed
from his face, walking slowly away into
the forest. We did not see him again, nor
did he return to that station tt my knowl-
edge.
The favor which JacA lost was trans
ferred to Stephen, and fine village, which
n I