Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-07-23

fusillade of pistol-shots might have at
tracted attention from the people of the
knot of houses half a mile away. l
know that the blades had a most wicked
look, and that the sweat gathered on
my forehead as | watched them and
wondered which of them might be des-
tined for me. l was frightened, thor
oughly frightened; such courage as l
possessed vanished at the CLEAN of the
weapons, and, could l have fed, not
a moment would 1 have tarried. But
there was no escape; was forced to re-
main and TO see the end. which, though
II involved the defeat of the enemy, I
had no hand in bringing about.
Well-laid plans once disarranged are
generally worse than none at all. The
programme of the assailants, no doubt,
had been prepared most carefully.
After posting one of their number on
the landward side of the knoll. the only
direction from which, IN their ignorance
of the line of communication with john
sons cottage, they would reasonably
look for interference, they had adj
vanced, and forced an entrance to the
house. Once within, their prey was so
completely in their grasp that, dare
say, they felt able to go about their
business with cold-blooded delibera-
ton. / do not fiatter myself with the
belief that my presence disturbed them
in the least. But, while the arraign-
ment of Lamar may have been intense
ly satisfying as prelude to their ven
geance, il was a sad blunder; for 1t
gave johnson time to reach the scene
and to change the whole aspect of the
affair.
Had they pressed the attack as soon
as their comrade was overthrown, II rs
altogether likely that one of them
might have reached Lamar; but, un-
luckily for them, they failed to seize the
opportunity in the second or two of its
existence. Their hesitation, brief as 1t
was, meant defeat; for no sooner had
his man fallen than Johnson drew
brace of revolvers from his pockets, and
when the strangers started forward
they looked into the muzzles of the
pistols. Lamar, too, thus protected.
had pulled out key and was unlocking
drawer of the table; and presently he
added another ugly-looking weapon to
the array trained upon the foe.
"Sorry there amt none for you, doc
tor" 1 heard johnson remark, "but
guess we can attend to our friends
now"
For a moment thought that two of
our adversaries would risk the bullets,
though the last conner quailed at the
first sight of the firearms; but even for
them the odds were now too great.
They dared not even risk trying to
reach their own pistols. They probably
had no stomach for such a combat as
was now offered them. Reluctantly,
step by step, they retreated toward the
door. Then, suddenly. with an oath,
the leader wheeled about, and, gnash-
ing his teeth in baffled rage, strode from
the room.
"Here, you two" cried johnson,
"carry off your wounded"
I doubt if they understood his words,
but his gesture as he pointed to the
man lying unconscious on the floor was
plain enough. Sullenly they picked up
lnSlI COIllI anu OOAC MIN AhtO VIZ
open air. The fisherman followed them
to the door, and watched them hurry
away toward the stream on the north
side of the little hill.
Come in a boat, eh?" said he.
That's it; you can hear the oars. I'll
bet they've something to do with that
schooner lying off there in the bay.
Well, Mr.. Lamar, they're off, and l
guess they've had enough, thank ye, for
one evenin'."
at was fortunate they chose to do
their talking first and their business
afterward,' said /. But think we're
quit of them for some time to come.
The abuse that tall chap showered on
you was unpleasant, but 1t was mighty
valuable, as 1 figure it out"
Did you comprehend" Lamar
asked.
NO, except that he was cursing you
as energetically as he could"
He seemed relieved at the answer.
''How are you feeling?" said /.
That's not the sort of entertainment
that does you any good. 1t must not
be repeated"
yet it has profited me-" he an
swered. 81 am stronger, better"
"But you'll pay for IL, l am afraid.
Let me see how you have stood it."
"Not now," said he, waving me back
Tonight 1 have work to do. May ]
request you both to remain here for
timer"
Certainly. We should not think of
leaving you before daybreak."
THAT will SUFFICE" he answered.
'For the present, 1 go to my ROOM"
johnson, what do you make of all
this? asked, when Lamar had left us
Not much," he answered, 'cept
twas a close shave for the boss. ]
thought he'd have trouble with that
locked drawer if ever he wanted to get
at his guns in n hurry. Why, II he'd
tried to open it before 1 come, they'd
have carved him into mince-meat be-
fore he could have got to his weepins
He would keep it locked, though, and
YOU know he amt man to argy with.
Lucky / brought my brace along; but
twas his orders / should, whenever
got the call"
"Why did they pursue him to this
corner of the earth? What's the Sc
cret, anyway
Its clean beyond me-" said he.'
"Some furrin feud, I reckon"
This is never the end of it."
"It won't end till somebody's Dead"
he answered, emphatically. Like
enough q KILN was the start OF it."