The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-04-05

The rude entrance Of the stranger had inter
rupted the various games in progress, and a'
every one in the room was staring at him, nc
one noticed that man glided into the room by
small door at the head of the apartment, Thi'
fsan after hurriedly whispering few words iu
to the ear of Diamond Dick, went out again a:
noiselessly as he had entered.
Whatever 1t was he said seemed to affect Dick
in peculiar manner, and he started to leav,
the roo.n by the door at the farther end
In doing this he fell under the notice of the
the red.haired giant who suddenly barred hi'
way
Whar you goin pilgrim You can't Kit ou
we're onless you mount me first
Dick looked at him in amarement.
Why cannot leave ?
Cause don't want ye. I'm the Sarpint of Siski
you county, State of California. lIausum Har
| ry's my handle.
Then placing his arms akimbo on his hips, h'
looked at him with an impertinent stare.
| A steely glitter began to show In the eyes o
| Diamond Dick
Serpent OF Siskiyou, you're making an ass o
yourself. If you don't step aside I'll mop The
floor with your dirty face.
What you? snarled the giant. Do me ear
deceive me? Call me an ass ?-me ?-Iiansuu
Harry? Stranger kin bar to be spit on, anC
hev it rubbed in bat when man tells me I'm
an ass, that let's me out, and he aimed blow
at the face Of Dick with a fist like II ham
Well meant, too was the blow, and had i
struck fairly, would have cut short the existence
of Diamond Dick then and there. But with
bound, the Tiger Of the mines sprang aside, ant
as the giant, staggering under the impetuosit,
of the blow, passed, hs shot out his right hant
| like fash
Fairly upon the neck Of the handsome Har
ry fell the terrific blow, and the giant lay in I
| quivering heap upon. the floor.
A laugh went up from the spectators, whC
breathlessly watched the alteration.
In a few minutes the fallen giant began tC
stir himself Sitting up he gazed blankly around
Catching sight Of Dick, who, with arms fold
ell low down his chest, was calmly looking al
him, the Sarpint of Siskiyou struggled to hii
feet, and walked gingerly and cautiously around
few times.
Then, as if satisfied, he said, apologetically
Stranger, my foot SLIPPED. Scuse me fur beir
so awkward. Now I'm gOia' fur yer and hs
made rush at his nimble antagonist as h,
finished speaking.
This time Diamond Dick did not avoid him
but quickly lodging the blows, he sprang in
side ofthe giants guard, and poured perfec
| rain of blows upon his face.
Blinded, staggering under the terrible hail o
blows Handsome Harry struck wildly int
the open air, until Dick planted that terrible
| right handler a. ain upon his neck, and agair
| the giant fell like sack of meal.
There, hope that will satisfy you, fool
said Dick, coldly. If you are not there's more
where that came from
oh, no, Pilgrim said the giant, wiping the
blood from his eyes. i amt bit proud, if dc
say it, Shake?
Diamond Dick grasped the proHered hand
His was not nature to repulse an offer o
friendship made under such circumstances.
May go out nowr he inquired, with 9
smile.
Wal, I'll salivate the man as says you can't,
replied the Sarpint of Siskiyou, glaring arount
| defantly
All right, Sarpint Of Siskiyou / didn't know
but what you might have something else to say
against it,
Nary word, stranger; you're boss of thi
town. l amt buckin' agin no airthquake thi
time, no stree, l amt, answered the Sarpin'
with wise shake of his head.
Dick turned away with an amused smile up
on his face, to leave the room, but as he stretch
ed out his hand to push aside the door, pistol
shot suddenly ran through the room, followe
by low moar Of agony.