Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-03-01

now one above, now the other. But his enor-
nous physical strength and viii threw the
odds foarfully on the side Of Matteo; for
when he fell he had dropped his knife, and
was now gripping the American in his long
powerful arms, whose muscles Of iron slow
" and rolentlessly closed about the chest
OF his adversary, until Il seemed 10 Nebbitt
as II his ribs were crunching and cracking
and his very life being crushed out in that
awful hug Of death. Fortunately, his arms
were outside. Putting both hands against
the chin Of the Italian, he suddenly and
sharply jerked the mans head upward and
backward. Taken at unawares, Matte0, 10
save his neck from being broken, relaxed
his grip for a moment
onick as aash OF lightning his an
tagonist, who was beneath rolled the giant
over leaped 10 his feet, and grasping the
knifo lying close by, plunged It into the
heart Of Haydee's murderer, who was
struggling 10 his feet, but 90 awful was the
force Of tho blow that the blade drove clear
through the mans lungs and passed out be-
tween bis shoulders, and, without 80 much as
groan, Matteo fell back, stone dedd
All this happened in far less time than II
takes TO read about II, but not q moment too
quickly. For when Nobbltt, breathless ard
aching from the crushing grip of his foe,
but quite "gamo" yet, was enabled 10 turn
his attention 10 the others, he saw Oxford
engaged In deadly contest with three men
whom he was holding at bay with mis- rife,
which he grasped by the muzzle as he would
a club, and was whirling about him with
such lightning-lile rapidity that IL looked
like the flying spokos OF a swiftly-reyolvng
wheel lie had already Drained two Of his
assailants.
Dana and Arthur Fairfax, back 10 back,
the one swinging his rife Justify and the
other welding keen sword in his unin-
lured right hand, were fighting desperately
with four Of the Italians, while a huge
ruflian was decidedly w0rsting poor Roger,
who was bravely trying 10 defend himself
Ere Nobbitt could reach him, Roger
groaned deeply and, suddenly relaxing his
hold on the other fell backward as n dead.
Tho Italian raised his knife 20 strike the
prostrate man, but Nebbtt had already
picked rp the valcts rife, with which he
dealt the villain such terrific blow on the
head that the seaman dropped 10 the earth
like log
The victor then sprang 10 the side Of Ok
ford, splendidly holding his own against
those three swarthy opponents, who did not
dare come within range Of that lightning
swinging rife, hut hung aloof, watching for
chance 10 spring upon the Englishman
Meme too soon was this timely aid; for, de
spairing Of tiring their adversary, one Of
the men stepped backward and STOPPING
quickly down, picked up piste l. which he
was just ebout 10 fire AT Oxford whon Neb-
bltt, with most awful, blood-curdling ycll
that pierced far into the night ana must
have greatly terrified those who remained
on the Vnmpa, bounded forward with trc-
mendous lenp and brought down the rife
butt squarcly upon top Of the mans head
with such resistless impetus that IL crashed
through bone and brain and literally split
opon his skull from top 10 bottom, driving
tho yortebrR Of his neck down INTO his body,
20 that completely collapsed, he was
crushed 10 the earth as II by the mighty
hammer Of pllo-drlyor, while Nobbitt felt
the rapid bullet from his di5ch-sging pistol
burn hls own cheek like q hot iron
Although he could have done 90 more than
once, Arthur Fairfax refraincd from trnns-
hxing either OF his two men, as ne would,
then, lose his sword and thus be wcaponlcss
against tho other However, ncrved 20 des-
perntion by that frightful yen Of Nebbltt,
be made hasty lungo forward and passed
tho blade completely through the larger fel-
low, then, quick as fash, struck outward
with hia lcft foat suddenly tripping up Tho
other, who foll nprawling 70 tho ground
Before tho mm eoall spring 70 his feet
Fairfax whipped ont his revolver and shot
him Through the head.
Tho remaining four itallnns, fndlngthem-
sclfoH now ousnnmbtgcd, turned and nod
towards their bqnis Jnsta ~ Fairfax was
crying oui' "Lrf them gol Don't follow
|hpmN one ~ lpe dcspornase4 pnexpecied'