The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-30

masters struggles to recover himself still
continued to slide gently from the loft,
actually hid him from the eyes of the spec
tat rs who sought him moment after
ward. A mass If hay and wild oats, dis
lodged apparently by Mrs. McKinstry in
securing her defenses, was all that met their
eyes; even the woman herself was uncon-
scious OF the deadly struggle that had taken
place above her.
The master staggered to an upright posi-
ton half choked and half blinded with
dust, turgd and bursting with the rush of
blood to his head, but clear aud collected in
mind, and unremorSefully triumphant
Unconscious of the real extent of Seth's
catastrophe, he CROPPED for and seized mis-
gun, examined the cap and eagerly waited
for renewed attack.
He tried to kill me; he would have killed
me; If he comes again | must kill him, he
kept repeating to himself. 1t never occurred
to him that this was inconsistent with his
previous thought-indeed, with the whole
tenor of his belief. Perhaps the most peace
full man who has been once put in peril OF
life by an adversary, who has recognized
death Threatening him in the eye Of his
antagonist is by some straoge paradox not
likely to hold bis own life or the life Of his
adversary as dearly as before. Everything
was silent now. Tue suspense irritated him.
NC liO lOilSSf ui6dUsu DuL even lOuSSQ lOl
the shot that would precipitate hostiltes
What were they doingl Guided by Seth,
were they concerning fresh attack
Listening more intently he became aware
Of q distant shouting, and even more dis
tinctly, Of the dull, heavy trampling Of
hoofs. A sudden angry fear that the Nc
Kinstrys had been beaten off and were fly
ing-a fear and anger that now for the first
time identified him with their cause-came
over i'm, and he scrambled quickly to-
ward the opening below. But the sound
was approaching and with it came voice
"Hold on there sheriff.
1t was the voice of the agent Stacey.
There was & p use of reluctant murmur-
ing. But the warning was enforced by Il
command from another voice-weak, I'M
heroic, but familiar:
81 order this yer to stop-right yerln
A burst of ironical laughter followed. The
voice was Uncle Ben's.
stand back This is no time for fJolin',"
said the sheriff, roughly.
Hes right, Sheriff Briggs "said Stacey's
voice, hurriedly, YOU'RE acting for him
he's the owner Of tle land
WHAT That Be DsbneyFn
Eyes; he's Daubigny, who bought the title
from u.s.
There was a momentary hush, and then
q hurried murmur:
(Which means, gents, " rose Uncle Be Is
voice, persua lively, that this yer young
man, though far-minded and well-inteuded,
hez bin leetle too clipper and previous il,
orderin' out the law. This yer amt no law
matter with me, boys. 1t amt to be settled
by law-papers, nor shotguns and deringers.
It's suthin' to be chawed over so ;iabe-like,
between drinks. Eff any harm hez bin done,
eff .anythin's haDplned, I'm yer to- demnif
the Sheriff, and make 1t comfbble all round
Yer know me, boys. I'm talkin'. It's M
-Dabney, or Oaubigny, which ever way
you like it."
But 10 the silence that followed the pas
sions had not yet evidently cooled. 1t was
broken by the sarcastic drawl of Dick Nc
Kinstry
''If them Harrisons don't mind hevin' had
their medders trampled over by few white
men, why"
1.-THE sheriff ez Identified for that, In
terrupted Uncle Ben, hastily.
"iN of Dick Mckinstry don't mind the
damage to his pants in crawlin' out o gun
shot in the tall grass" retorted Joe Harri-
SON."
"Pm yer to settle that, boys said incl
Ben, cheerfully.
But who'll settle thissn clamored the voice
of the older Harrison from behind barn
where he had Stumbl ID in crossi < the fallen
hay. "Yer's Seth DAVIS lynn ia the hay
with the top of his head busted. Who's t.
pay for thatm
There was rush to the spot, and quics
cry of reaction.
"Whose work is thisF' demanded the
sheriffs voice, with official severity.
The master uttered an instructive excla-
nation of defiance, and drop ng quickly
to the barn floor, would the next moment
nave opened the door and declare himsal.
out Mrs. KcKinstry, after single glance at
his determined face, suddenly thr W herself
before him with an imperious gesture of ST.
lence. Then her voice rang clearly from The
barn:
"Well, if it's the hound that tried to force
his way in yer, reckon ye kin put that
down to MEL"