Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-05-29
VOL. XXXV.

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we. But without waiting to hear the re
suit, Stephen turned to reload his piece.
With II stride like that of an enrage
elephant. Jack Dunlaw moved up to tn
i'le of his successful competitor.
Don't We dar' do that ag ini he Kissed
between his shut jaws. If yer do. twill
he hard day for ye. Now mark what
tell yer! amt going TO fool around NJ
ups'art like you. Ye've made lucky hi
twice; now let that end it!
The young man made no answer; hut
NV his check become shade paler. an,
his hand trifie less steady, rs he ramme,
home the bullet. Then. with lips tight,
compressed, and eyes fixed upon the tar
ret. he dropped upon one knee, and level
I'd his rifle
Now don't you make another mistake
was Jacks last admonition. accompanie,
by n shake Of the fist 30 close to the youns
mans face that began to feel like graz D
ng the bully from behind and dragging
him from the scene.
The third shot sped as the others hat
lone, and then the young man sprang tc
rs feet, dropping his rife to the grourl
in a amer which showed that patience
lad nearly ceased to be his ruling virtue
Sill | could not anticipate the scene,
which were to follow
The last bullet had struck inst ouside
he bull $ eye, and after carefully measur.
ing the three, Tom Tarbox, he who had
tf'red the prize, and kept the measure
mrnts. stepped up among the crowd now
| gathered, and said
Gentlemen, Mr.. Ranney has made the
best record, his three Shots measuring but
wo inches; so to him give the flask, ac-
| cording to agreement.
He reached forth the prize as he spoke.
ut before the young man could take it,
Jack snalched it from the surveyors hand
and thrust it into his pocket. No one an
lclpated such movement, and it was
some moments before Tarbox recovered
his self possession so as to speak.
The flask belongs to Mr.. Ranney, he
said. Please let him have it.
The flask belongs to me, retorted Jack.
lis shootin' war all accidental He only
WpDencd to hit whar he did. But then.
he ken have the flask if he can git it, or
YOU either.
Tarbox hit his lip. and looked to the
other members of the party, undecided
how 10 act. SEEING his irresolution, Ran
ncy stepped forward, and said:
Don't trouble yourself, Mr. Tarbox The
nlsk is mine. and | will see to getting it.
You will, eh? snarled the bully. Git
away from me-out of arms reach--or Ill
smash ye like II roast tater!
Thus speaking, the giant swung his fists
about, but the Young man did not move
Instead he received blow upon the head
which knocked away his ha., and seemed
to change his whole nature to that of
Young lion, With II strength and agility
wholly unlocked for. he dealt the giant n
fearful blow full upon the nose, which
kn"cked him to the ground. and deluged
the uncomey fat G and beard with torrents
of blood. There was II momentary strug
Gle up N the ground after the bully fell,
md then Stephen stepped back a pace or
lwo.
In II moment the ruffian was upon his
feet ag lin. and with II fearful curse he
placed his hand where he expected TO find
revolver But it was gone. Then hr
sought for his knife, but that too was mis-
sing The young man had taken the pre-
caution Of removing them, SO that now
they stood upon equal ground But what
lowered above his antagonist, while IN
Ictuul weight he WAS more than twice hi, |
equal.
There was no parley OF 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 Just where the
other had fallen staggered The rascal, and
before lie could see what had become of
he man he supposed already in his grasp. |
IL tremendous crack in the ear brough
him again TO the ground Again h,
to his feet, and again he was
knocked down by II single reverberatin9
blow. The third time he arose, but before
he could wipe the blood from his eyes |
sufficiently to distinguish his antagonist |
the hard earth again became 8 bed,
This time he did not rise Immediately |
1t was patent to every one before this |
Stage of the encounter that he was over
for once, and at last that fact |
seemed to have become clear to his own |
mind. Drawing the G,sk from his pocket |
ne cast il upon the ground, muttering saw
lgtly:
There's yer old flask! Take it if yer
want it SO bad!
Stephen stepped to the spot where the
coveted prize lay and picked it up, placing
it beside his rifle. Then turning again to
he discounted bully, who had now risen
10 his feet he continued:
Jack Dunlaw, am not done with you
yet. A few days ago you brutally lnsutcd
Cora Russell. ] could have shot you
lead, and should have done it had | moi
Jilied you. Now you can take choice
70, and on your knees ask her pardon, and
hen quit this place forever, or die where
you stand! This quarrel is not of my seek
ng. but now that you have begun ii, take
your choice. give you three minutes to
decide.
A half dozen watches were produced,
md the attention of our party was divided
between their slowly moving hands and
he excited group before us. At first il
seemed as though Jack desired to renew
he fight. He looked around upon those
who had been his confederates, but their
had gone, and it was apparent
hat Stephen Ranney had in II moment be-
;ome the hero of The occasion. Jacks
yes. TOO, were nearly closed from the en-
lSGllC DlOWs ut u'tu lcCeifou, anu HIS
.ourage, if any he had ever possessed,
seemed 10 have gone entirely.
A nod. watch closed and returned to
he pocket Of its owner, announced the
expiration of the time. Not n change of
nus, lie or expression passed over Stephens
eatures as he remarked:
The time is up, Jack Dunlaw; will you
i've or die?
Jack looked around once more, and
asked:
What do you say, boysp /
Do as he tells yer, replied one who had
pecn Jacks most devoted supporter in
lines past.
The last hope seemed to leave the con-
emptibe giant. In voice weak and
he said:
I'll leave; that orter satisfy ye.
You will do what said, or
The sentence renamed unspoken. Jack
Dunlaw bowed his head, and walked meek
away to make the required apology.
did not follow, though many did. Five
minutes later saw him. the blood washed
rom his face. walking slowly away into
he forest We did not see him again.