The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-15
deadly struggle TINT had taken place

aboveher
The master staggered to m upright
position half checked and half blinded
with dust, turgid and bursting with the
rush Of blood to his head, but clear and
collected in mind, and unremorseiully
triumphant. Unconscious Of the reai ex-
tent Of seth's catastrophe he CROPPED for
and seized his gun, examined the cap
and eagerly waited for a renewed attack.
"He tiled so kill mt; he would have
killed me- il he comes again ] must kill
him" he kept repeating TO himself 1t
never occurred to him that this was in
c1usistaut with his previous thought
indeed with the whole tenor Of his belief. |
Perhaps the most peaceful man who
has been once put in peril Of life by an
adversary, who has recognized death
threatening him in the eye OF his an
tagonist, is by some strange paradox not
likely to hold his own life or the life of
his adversary asdearlyas before, Every
thing was silent now. The suspense ir-
ritated him, he no longer dreaded but
even longed for the shot that would pre-
cipate hostilitics. What were they do
ing? Guided by Seth, were they con-
certing fresh attack?
Listening more intently he became
aware Of a distant shouting, and even
more distinctly, ofthe duh, heavy tramp.
ing of hoofs. A sudden angry fear that
the McKinstrys had been beaten OF and
were hying-a fear and anger that now
for the lirsttime identified him with their
cause--came over him, and he scrambled
quickly towards 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 a pause OF reluctant MUIR
mnring. But the warning was enforced
by command from another voice
weak, unherioc, but familiar, II order
this yer to stop-right yerz"
A burst OF ironicaI laughter followed.
The voice was Uncle Ben's.
"Stand back! This is no time for
foolin'," said the sheriff roughly.
Hes right, Sheriff Briggs" said
Stacey's voice hurricdly, you're acting
for htla; he's owner Of the land"
"What? That Ben Dabney?"
"Yes; he's Daubigny, who bought the
title from us"
There was momentary hush, aud
then hurried murmur.
(which means, gents" rose Uncle
Ben's voice persuasively, shat this yer
young man, though far.minded and well
intended, hez bin leetle too clipper
and previous in Orderin' out the law.
This yer amt no law matter with me,
boys. 1t amt to be settled by law-pa.
pers, nor shot-guns nor deriDgers. It's
suthin' to be chawed over sociable-like,
between drinks. Ii any harm hez bin
done, or anythin's happened, I'm yer to
'demnify the sheriff, and make it COM
f'bble all round. Yer know me, boys.
Pm talkin'. It's me-DabnCy, or Dau-
bigny, which ever way you like it.
J But in the silence that followed the
/ passions had not evidently cooled. 1t
was broken by the sarcastic drawl OF
Dick MCKinstry: "If them HarrisOns
don't mind heven had their medders
trampled over by few white men,
why"
"The Sheriff ez Identified for that, :"
interrupted Uncle Ben hastily.
IN Ct Dick Mckinstry don't mind the
damage to his pants in erawlih' out O.
g1nshot in the tall grass" retorted Joe
kIUrrison.
"Pm yer to settle that, boys" said
Uncle Ben cheerfully.
"But who'll settle this?r clamored the
voice Of the older Harrison FROM behind
the barn where he had stumbled in cross.
ing the fallen hay, "Yer's Seth Davis ly-
in in the hay with the top of his head
busted. Who's to pay for that?"
There was rush to the spot, and a
quick cry OF reaction.
Whose work is this?" demanded the
Sherilr's voice, with official severity.
The master uttered an instructive eX-
clamation OF defiance, and dropping
quickly to the barn floor, would the next
moment have opened the door and de-
clared himself, but Mrs. McKiustry, after
n single glance at his determined face,
suddenly threw herself before him with
an imperiOus gesture OF silence. Then
her voice rang clearly from the barn:
"WelI, if its the hound that tried to
force his way in yer, / reckon ye kin put
that down to MEw
| CHAPTER X.
r. WnS known IN ln1inn Surinp. the