The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-05-19


cowed, but the shock of his appearance
had dethroned Chalpa's reason. It was
madness that cleaned in his eye now,
and it was a madman's act that next fol-
lowed. AS he reached the table in the
center Of the room he seized long iron
knife, and in an instant sprang upon
Eric. Kulcan's cry was Gilbertis warn
| ing, for he had turned partly away, and
he drew his revolver instantly, but the
savage lunge made by Chalpa struck the
weapon, and it fell from his grasp.
he saw the maddened eyes, like those
Of q hungry wolf, before him, and he
struck at them. The blow sent the priest
F.; clear across the room. but he was at
Eric before he could gain his weapon.
| Another right hander-and one which in
! Eric's usual condition Of health would
have finished the battle-took him in the
cheek and sent him to the floor. His
weapon cut into Eric's arm in its fall,
! but he did not feel the wound, for his
blood was up. A third time the priest
gained his feet and sprang at him. His
cheek had pulled up and his left eye was
partly closed; his teeth ground in frantic
rage. He came at Eric more cautiously,
with more deadly care, and made half
circle before him. Gilbert dared not
stoop for his pistol and stood prepared
to strike with all his strength, which he
felt was already waning.
Suddenly, as with the practiced box
er's perception he watched the cleaning
eyes before him, he saw their purpose
change, and then he saw or felt that
the priest was about to throw the knife.
His hand was raised, and his fingers
lessened their hold upon the blade, and
then Eric saw flash, q loud report rang
through the room, and Chalpa dropped
the knife and fell prone upon his face.
| He rose in a moment to his knees in a
convulsive effort and strained every
muscle to gain his feet. His body swayed
forward thrice; then, with his empty
hands reaching forward with a wild,
clutching motion, he fell on his face
again, dead.
Jan-ila stood in the doorway with the
smoking rife in his hand and smile of
mixed wonder and complacency on his
face.
''You have killed hinP' cried Eric as
he placed the now unconscious girl upon
his bed.
eyes," said Listah, appearing behind
Jan-ils and looking somewhat askance
at the rife. ''He would have killed you
He deserved his death; it is justice"
Thanks to the gods" interposed Jan
liza, she is now out of the way. 1 car
breathe easier"
Eric cut the bonds that confined Kul
cans limbs, and as he did SO Jan-ils
cried out:
E'SOme one comesr
As ne spoke Tepelpec stood in the
doorway, and after giving one look a
the PROSTATE form OF his dead accom-
! plice turned and was lost in the dark
ness. Listah called to him, but received
no answer; they only heard his rapid
footballs as he hurried toward the city.
s'He has gone to get help" said Jan
ila eve may have to defend ourselves
until we can summon our own forces
I will go to the city and arouse oul
friends"
''No, let me co." suggested Listah
tI am too old to be of as much use herr
as you"
Eyes, Listah can co." said Eric. "H,
, can best serve US so, and meanwhile i
we have to light we can hold this place
against thousand until he brings help.
. Listah departed Immediately. They
carried the corpse Of Chalpa out and laiC
, it upon a blanket.
/ 'tNow for preparationsr' cried Eric
{ First let Us wet down the roof, for i
: they fight US they may try to fire tina
first
7 This they set about doing at once. A
| they worked they heard sounds in tn,
city which told them that the people
had been aroused by the rife shot. The
could see lights moving upon the roof
and hear the shouts of the people.
| little later they saw group approach
: ing the house which was now to be
fortress. It was too dark to distinguish
the features ofRthose approaching, and
they retired within doors to await them
: The group halted within a hundret
, yards of the house, and the watcher
+ heard them conversing in low tones.
: Shortly afterward another and large
party appeared and joined forces witt
t those already upon the ground. Fri
: began to feel that they were really be
5 sieged. No move was made by tn
5 enemy, however, and he concluded tia
they were awaiting the light of day t
. begin operations. Itwas now about tw,
< o'clock in the morning. Leila had re
q covered consciousness and had been 9
4 Gained by the presence of her lover an
/! brother that she had sunk to sleep
i Eric's own eyes were heavy, for he ha'
j not slept for two nights. Jan-i1a, VIII
was as fresh looking as a boy and a
q wakeful as a cat, whispered to hin
c when they had grown tired Of watchinI
!. and waiting for some action on the par
2 Of the besiegers:
e ''Lie down, master; you and Kulca'
! both need rest, and viii watch them
e If anything happens will awaken 20
e at once"
/. Realizing the need of rest, Eric fel
:. the force of this advice. and after FEY
/. words of caution to their sentinel threN
J. himself upon his bearslin. Kulca
!. stretched himself beside his sister, an
j In q very few minutes they were bot
b soundly sleeping. Jan-ila sat upon th
i doorsill, with his eyes fixed upon the no'
q silent forces OF the enemy. He fel
rather than saw that there were eyes
4 ! the darkness watching him, also close
s perhaps than he imagined, and he invo
i. unfairly drew indoors as he speculate
= upon an unseen enemy piercing him wit
s a stone tipped spear or arrow.