The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-09
In time to save him from being manned

In time to save him from being manned
or murdered by the gang.
He realized fully the nature OF the con.
test he had entered upon, but ne had not
invited it. The quarrel was forced upon
| him.
But he had q good deal to learn.
He did not know the depth OF the
meanness to which the Monks would
stoop to get the better Of an antagonist.
| He had yet to learn that the Monks and
! their assistants deemed all means fair
that promised them advantage. They
never fought on equal terms, or single
handed. There was always somebody In
reserve-something that could be counted
on with almost "dead certainty" to en-
ploy Ned Monks own words.
The reader has seen how the brothers
pressed poor Squatty into their service.
| u hear him coming, now," said Ned
Monk to his companions. "Now, Bill
I'll aim at him first I'll try to make
sure, just when he comes level with US
on the road. II don't bring him down,
uou shoot, then we'll both Jump on him,
and Squatty here will help the best he
knows how"
The little group of assassins held their
| breath until Dan Bash came within fifty
yards of their place Of concealment
Something caused Bash to halt.
Was it a forewarning?
He glanced up and down the road,
stopped suddenly, and picked up stone
and heavy stick. Then he walked on.
As he neared the spot where the trio
were concealed, Ned Monk held his rife
firmly in his hand in front Of him, ready
to bring it up to his shoulder.
Dan Bash walked on resolutely. all
unconscious Of the danger threatening
him.
As Ned Monk observed him nearing
him he drew up his gun. His finger was
on the trigger, when crack OF rifle
startled the group. A bullet cut tWig
just over Ned Monks head.
Dan Bash halted. he thought the
| shot was aimed ut him.
Ned Monk rose up suddenly. His COM
panions half-rose and peered around,
right and left.
Dan Bash walked on, grasping the
stane in one hand, concealing it from
view, and resolved, in case he was as
saulted, to WELD his stick to the best
advantage.
He was opposite the spring when sud-
denly Bill Monk and Squatty rushed out
on him.
The assassins had changed their plans.
They were resolved to carry out The
original scheme.
They would kill him, and then take
care of the person who had shot at Ned
Monk.
Bill Monk had knife open in his
right hand; Squatty had club. Both
were approaching him-the one with up-
raised knife, the. other with upraised
club-when shot was heard; Bill
Monks arm dropped, and the next mo-
ment Club Dawson sprang between Ned
Monk and his brother Bill.
At the same instant Dan Bash brought
his stick down so hard on Squatty's arm
that that individual howled with pain.
He thought his arm was broken.
"Murderers!"
Club Dawson at that moment was the
embodiment of vengeance.
Her eyes blaZed with passion as she
urned, first to Ned, then to Bill Monk.
"You Monks, as sure as you stand
there, I'll bore hole in both Of you
You think you are not watched. Well,
You had best move on now, or you'll
have more than Club Dawson to deal
with. Take my advice. Move! Make
yourselves scarce as quick as your feet
will let you, because you may came to
grief if you don't"
Ned Monk half drew his rife. He had
half mind to fight the woman, and the
man she had defended second time that
day.
aCome. Ned. Well only make trouble
fiehtin' Club, " said Bill Monk, hastily.
He thought her father was following.
Her language warranted some such in.
ference. As for Squatty, he was already
edging away as rapidly from the range
of Chub's rifle as he could move without
running.
"Curse her: She's wounded my arm,"
said Bill Monk.
"The next shot will be nearer your
heart. Make another move-dare TO
touch Dan Bash, and one of you dies, il
I die the same minute"
"We'll remember you, Chub, said Ned
Monk. as he hastily walked after his
brother Bill.
"Do," said Club. Then, elevating her
voice: "You don't want lock of my hair,
guess, the way you are moving"
The last thing the cowardly trio heard
as they walked on down the dusty road
was Club Dawson's ringing laugh.
TO BE CONTINUED.