The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-09-13

| Groups of two and three were scat
tered here and there about the bar
chatting noiseily for the most part
though few drank in sullen silence
but, except the lounger by the door
who stood with his hands plunged deep
lg in his pockets, and his slouch-hai
drawn low over his restless eyes, each
man had some mate to reflect his hui
NOR or contradict it.
THAT is the Italian fellow" | whis-
pered, nodding toward him.
Eyes; cleaned out or Whereabouts,
Quincy answered, in low tone, and
then we turned to leave together.
AS we passed out some impulse
prompted me to turn towards the
stranger, and, extending sovereign on
my open palm, l said, CURLY:
"Have it, mateP'
81 did not beg" he answered, coldly,
speaking with distinct foreign ac-
cent,
"Of course not, but it will bring
you luck. Money from the pockets of a
successful digger always does" said
lightly.
"Thank YOU
He took the coin from me, but held it
doubtfully in his hand while he followed
me with his eye.
THAT fellow is desperate. l should
have said nothing to him, on the princi
pie of letting sleeping dogs lie," Quincy
remarked. .~
1T is always well to do kind ac-
ton. when one has the chance" | said
carelessly; ''that may stave off suicide
another week." and then Quincy and
shook hands and parted, with some
vague hope of meeting somewhere,
some time, if we could.
1t was dark night, and when once /
had left the lights of Tarrangower be-
hind me, the darkness seemed to close
around me with sense of discomfort.
After all, had | been wise to carry all
that money on my person, and to take
my way, alone and unarmed-for an
unloaded pistol was mere toy
through district so familiar in those
adventurous times with deeds of VIC
lencep Several men saw the money at
the bank, and others knew that | meant
to draw out my investments that day.
Why had | not told Quincy, and let
him come home with me? Why had l
not?
But pshaw! What was the good of
shrinking like child before a dark
nightP There was no danger-none in
the world; the men who had seen the
money were as honest as / was, and
once had reached my hut would load
my revolver and be ready for an at
tack.
To keep up my heart / fell to hum
ming one of Janie's old tunes, while /
strove to concentrate all my attention
on the path before me. had proceed
ed thus half way home, and my first
terrors were fading away, when just
where the uncertain roadway dipped
into a thicket of Eucalyptus, hand
was laid on my shoulder and a vibrant
voice said TREMENDOUSLY:
"Your money or your life!'
''Ha, it is you, scoundrel, whom
helped!'' l said, wheeling around sud-
1enly on my unseen assailant. DOG
IF an Italian, would you dare?"
1t was furious indignation and scorn |
If such base return of my kindness
hat animated me at this moment. Bat |
ling for existence of my treasure had
lot occurred to me yet.
Eyes, would dare because l am
nad," the man painted forth. You
must give me the gold; you are young,
you can gain more. You have hope, |
lave nothing-give it me.
Eyes, shall give it you-that," 1
aid striking in the direction of the
Toice, and then we closed with each
,ther.
After that neither of us spoke, but we
vrestled like giants, while each
lutched the other by the throat.
My money was safe still, secured by
flap and button over the pocket, ac-
ording to fashion prevailing in the
olony at the time, and my chance of
fe lay in the endurance of my thews
nd sinews, for knew l was con-
ronted by desperate man.
Round and round, backwards and
orwards, circling recklessly and grasp
1g each other furiously, we went,
Ihile the sense of strangulation, due to
is grip on my throat, increased as he
trove to throw me.
''Ten seconds more and | shall be
hoked, l thought; and then l loos-
ned one hand from its hold of him,
nd struck out with my clenched fist
wards the region of his heart.
The blow told; he fell like log, be-
lg apparently paralyzed for the mo-
lent; but in falling he dragged me
18th him, and his grasp of my throat
ever relaxed.
II am dying l thought, striving 5
18th all my remaining strength to l
,osen his hold of me, and then my I
loughts wandered confusedly toward {
" mother and jamie, and the home / t
adj meant to make for my darling; and i
len | remember no more, | had either
tinted or been suffocated into insensi-
lity.
How long remained thus / cannot !
III. When | recovered consciousness .
lie murderous pressure had fallen off, ]
ut my assailant still lay beneath me, +
heavily. +
Simultaneously we seemed to recov- >
consciousness, and in unison we rose
our feet. was trembling in every :
NIB; my aching eyeballs seemed start {
g from my head; my parched throat f