The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-11-13

He had never noticed my presence;
he paid no attention to anything but
the money he WIS glonting. over
the money which was the price Of q
crime.
withdrew little way off to regain
my breath and decide ON my course of
action. At first thought Of summon.
ing Joyce to assist me, but my dread
of what might happen to the farrier in
my absence induced me to abandon
the idea, and l ended by determin.
ing to arrest him myself single.
handed and unarmed. 1t wat u des-
perate task, but thcre was no help
for it.
Resolved on this, took the pistol
from my pocket and drow the charge.
Next removed my coat and rolled up
my shirt sleeves 10 the elbow. Then
stcalthily raising the latch of the door
l threw it open.
saw an awful look of CONSERVATION
pass over his face: his complex.
ION turned to the hue of lead; his
figure grew rigid and motionless.
At that moment pitiod him from my
soul.
"Wm. Cole" said l, calmly. II ar
rest you in the name of the law"
He staggered to his feet, and his
lips moved, though he said nothing.
kept my back to the door. and walked
boldly up to him. There was fierce
glitter in his eyes as they stared INTO
mine. He seemed quite passive. but
the instant he felt my hand on his
shoulder he shook it oil, amt, with u
savage veil, sprang straight at NV
throat. In another m;nute VIC had
clo>e and were graphing togethef
in deadly conflict.
We were not uncqually matched. In
youth and frcsl,n. 50. had the advan-
tage over the farricr, whom tho sud-
denncss of the surprise had somewhat
unnerved. and who seemed reluctant
at the outset to exert his whole force.
But III reluctance did not last lone.
and us his arms frightened the eln.
brace, l knew it would be us much rs
l could do to overpowcr him. HIS lean
frame had an elastic ty, his grip firm.
ness, that would hardly have been OK.
pected from his appearance, and thu
fury of madness treblcu his strength.
l would not strike him; struggled as
IL wrestler to bring him down to the
ground. We rocked, and strained,
and rce!cd till tho floor shook
under our weight. and the door
and window ratified again. By de.
grecs l began TO tire him, and to
drive him backward in the direction
Of the bed, when, Just rs l was collect.
ing my energies for final effort, my
foot slipped and fell heavily to the
ground.
In vain l tried to risc-I was held
fast and my position gave mo no
chance Of releasing myself. Still l
did not realize my actual peril till,
writing quickly round, he knelt upon
me and saw in his hand a long.
bright knife.
Death. Well, even SO. 1t was but
dying once and I was quit of it for
ever.
Suddenly, all in q second as it were.
I heard the door creak--somctling
dark whirled past me like cloud
there was the dull thud Of blow and
Cole, hurled across the room. struck
against the table with such rudencss
that it overturned and sent the coins
spinning in every direction. 1 got
upon my feet unhurt. but breathing
quicker, and found myself face to face e
with Joyce. Hooked for the farrier-
he was lying senseless in the opposite
corner
"a close shave indeed!" said NV
comradc, with his old, easy gaycty.
..You never had such a squeak for II
in your life, Elder"
knew that as we'll ~ In did ond