The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-09-01


pocket. No one anticipated such
movement, and il was some moments
ore Tarbox recovered his self-pos
ion so as to speak.
The flask belongs to Mr.. Ranney,"
he said. "Please let him have it."
"The flask belongs to me-" retorted
Jack. "His shootin' war all acciden.
tai. Jie only happened to hit whar
he did. But then, he ken have the
flask if he can git it, or you either"
Tarbox bit his lip, and looked to
the other members of the party, un-
decided how to act. Seeing his irres-
olution Ranney stepped forward, and
said:
Don't trouble yourself, Mr.. Tar.
box. The flask is mine and l will see
to getting it."
"You will eh?" snarled the bully.
SECT away from me--out Of arms
reach-or I'll smash ye like roast
tater."
Thus speaking the giant swung his
fists about, but the young man did not
move. Instead he received blow on
the head which knocked away his hat,
ndseemed to change his whole ma.
ture to that of young lion. With a
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 momentary
struggle upon the ground after the
bully fell, and then Stephen stepped
back pace or two.
In moment the ruffian was on his
feet again, and with fearful curse he
placed his hand where be expected to
find revolver. But it was gone
Then he sought for his knife, but that
two was missing. The young man had
taken the precaution of removing
them, So that now the two stood on
equal ground. But what a contrast
Nine inches in height the bully tow.
cred above his antagonist, while in
actual weight he was more than twice
his equal.
There was no parley or hesitation.
Finding 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, fierce blow,
falling jsst where the other had fallen
staggered :he rascal, and before 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 rever.
berating blow. The third time he
: arose, but before he could wipe the
blood from his eyes sufficiently to dis.
tingush his antagonist the hard earth
again became his bed.
This time he did not rise immedi
ately. 1t was patent to every one be-
fore this stage of the encounter thai
he was over matched for once, and a
last that fact seemed to have becom,
clear to his own mind. Drawing tn,
flask from his pocket he cast it upor
the ground muttering savagely:
There's yer old flask Take it i
yer want il SO badl"
} Stephen stepped to the spot wher'
the coveted prize lay and picked it up
placing it BESIDE his rife. Then turn
ing again to the discounted bully
who had now risen to his feet he con
| tinued:
slack Dunlaw, l am not done will
you yet. A few days ago you brutal
, ly insulted Cora Russell. l coul,
f have shot you dead and would hav
done it had not pitied you. No,
you can take your choice-go, and oI
> your knees ask her pardon, and the
(; quit this place forever or die wher
you stand This quarrel is not of m
; seek, but now that you have begun
9 take your choice. / give you thre
minutes to decide"
J., A halfdozen watches were produce
e and the attention of our party wa
: divided between their slowly movin
hands and the excited group before u
!. At first it seemed as though Jack d.
!: sired TO renew the fight. He locke
O around upon those who had been hi
/ confederates but their sympathy ha
Y gone, and it was apparent that Stepl
q Ranney had in moment become tn
hero of the occasion. Jacks eyes to'
s were nearly closed from the energeti
n blows he had received, and his cou
o age, if any he had ever possessed
'. seemed to have gone entirely.
o A nod, watch closed and returne
d to the pocket of its owner, announce
70 the ex xpiration of the time. Now
charge of muscle or expression passe
T. over Stephens features as he remark
y ed;