Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-12-21

fR tM Ine penI-up grain anu De-
tR ~ tween the interstices Ford
WI without being himself seen
sszss had an uninterrupted view
of the plain between him and the line OF
willows. AS he gazed, five men hurried
ly issued from the extreme left and ran
towards the barn. McKinstry and his
followers simultaneously broke from the
same covert further to the right and
galloped forward to intercept them. But
although mounted, the greater distance
they had to traverse brought them to the
rear of the building only as the Harrison
party came to n sudden halt before
the closed and barricaded doors of the
usually defenceless barn. The discom-
future of the latter was greeted by de-
risive shouts from the McKinstry party
albeit, equally astonished. But in that
brief moment Ford recognized in the
leader of the Harrisons the well known
figure of the sheriff of Tuolumne. 1t
needed only this to cap the climax of the
fatality that seemed to pursue him. He
was no longer lawless opposer of equally
lawless forces, but he was actually re-
sisting the law itself. He understood the
situation now 1t was some idiotic blum
der of Uncle Ben IS that had precipitated
this attack.
The belligerents had already cooked
their weapons, although the barn was
still a rampant between the parties. But
an adroit Tanker of McKinstry's, creep
ing through the tall mustard, managed
to take up an enfilading position as the
Harrisons advanced to break in the door E.
A threatening shout from the ambuscaded
partisans caused them to hurriedly fall
back towards the rear of the barn e.
There was pause, and then began the
usual Homeric chaff With this Western
difference that it was cunningly intended
to draw the others fire.
HWhy don It you blaze away at the
door, you --! 1t won It hurt vel -
"He's afraid the bolt will shoot
back!' Laughter from the McKinstrys.
'Come outer the tall grass and show
yourself, you black, indicating
gopher.
''He can't. He's dropped his grit and
is sarchin for it. - Goading laughter
from the Harrisons.
Each man waited for that single shot
which would precipitate the fight. Even
in their lawlessness the rude instinct of
the duello swayed them. The officer of
the law recognized the principle as
well as the practical advantage in a
collision, but he hesitated to sacrifice
one of his men in an attack on the barn,
which would draw the fire of McKinstry
at that necessarily fatal range. AS
brave man he would have taken the risk
himself, but as prudent one he reflected
that his hurriedly collected posse were
all partisans, and if he fell the conflict
would resolve itself into purely partisan
struggle without a single unprejudiced
witness to justify his conduct in the popu
lar eye. The master also knew this; it
had checked his first impulse to come
forward as mediator; his only reliance
now was on Mrs. McKinstry IS restraint
and the sheriff 8 forbearance. The next
instant both seemed to be imperilled.
Gwen, why don't you wade in?'
sneered Dick McKinstry, "who do you
reckon IS l3fddin in the barn?''
"I'n tell ye, - said harsh passionate
voice fR01n the hillside, cts Cressy
foKinstry and the schoolmaster hidin'
Ii the hay.
Both parties turned quickly towards
the intruder, who had approached them
unperceived. But the speech was fol-
lowed by more startling revulsion of
sentiment as Mrs. McKinstry S voice rang
out from the barn, "you lie, Seth Da-
yisl'
The brief advantage offered to the
sheriff in Davis s advent as a neutral wit
ness, was utterly lost by this unlocked
for revelation of Mrs. McKinstry's pres
ence in the barnI The fates were clearly
against him! A woman in the fight, and
an old one at that A white woman to
be forcibly elected! In the whole I'M
written code of Southwestern chivalry
there was no such precedent.
"Stand back - he said disgustedly to
his followers, Hstand back and let the
id barn slide. But you, Hiram Nc
Kinstry, III give you five minutes to
shake yourself clear of your wife IS petit
coats and giti'' His blood was up now
the quicker from his momentary weak
ness and the trick of which he thought
himself a dupe.
Agaiu the fatal signal seemed immi-
nent, again it was delayed. For Hiram
McKinstTy, with clanking spurs and rifle
in hand, stepped from behind the barn,
full in the presence of his antagonists.
SEE to my gitteh in five -minits, =" he
began, in his LATEST, drowsiest manner,
J"we'l see when the times up. But
Jest now words hev passed betwixt my
wife and Seth Davis. Afore anythin
else goes on yer, oe's got to take his
back. Ny wife allows he lies; 1 allow he
lies, too, and 1 STAN here TO say it.
The right of personal insult to prece-
dence of redress was too old frontier
principle to be gainsaid now. Both par
ties held back and every eye was turned
TO where Seth Davis had been standing.
But he had disappeared.
Where?
When Mrs. McKinstry hurled her de-
NAL from the barn, he had taken advan-
tage of the greater surprise to leap to one
of the trusses of hay that projected be-
yond the loft and secure a footing from
which he quickly scrambled through
the open scantling to the interior.
The master who, startled by his
voice, had made his way through
the loose grain to the rear, reached it as
Seth half crawled, half tumbled through.
Their eyes met in single flash of rage,
but before Seth could utter an outcry the
master had dropped his gun, seized him |
around the neck and crammed thick |
handful of the soft hay, he hurriedly |
snatched up, into his face and gasping |
mouth A furious but silent struggle en- |
sued, the yielding hay on which the both |
fell. deadened all sound of a scuffie |
and concealed them from view; masses
of it, already loosened by the
intruder's entrance. and dislodged in |