The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-17

NOBODY"
enough. fellers. Make her come to
time"
Sally was terrified. The storm had
burst; the elements had the upper hand.
Her answer was taken out of her
mouth.
"Well. I'm ready whenever We can get
that internal coward to stand up to
me-" sneered Nick.
A blow full in the facewas tire answer
Nick's pistol leaped out as the head of a
serpent springs from coil. SaDy's
quick hand struck up the muzzle, yet
the bullet sheared through Jim's curly
locks, and the powder blackened his
brow.
"IIow dare you?" screamed the girl.
"Fight fair, or ] shan't promise no.
body. / won't have no pistol shootin'."
"Spose yer want us ter bev IL out in a
game o. Jack, where be ye,' or some
such devilish nonsense" growled Nick.
1t was not seriously meant, but ii
caught the fancy of the mob. There was
roar of appreciation.
A huge form came shouldering
the throng. 1t was Harden. He stag
gered a little: no man present had drunk
more whisky that night, yet he was
plainly the soberest as well as the big
gest of them all, and their master.
"What's the row?" lie demanded.
The matter was explained
'Drawed on Jim, did he? Well. boys,
ye're right. It's time this thing was
settled. and this here's a good way.
Jim, can We strap the hide clean off'n the
snealtin' cuss?"
For answer Jim unbuclled his heavy
leather belt, and swung it above his
head until it shrieked like buzz saw.
Nick sneered, but paled a little; and
his crafty brain was busy.
'Say we have IL out in game o.
Jack" he said. "do ye promise?
Sally bowed her head.
"Whichever one licks?"
aye must fight fair" she cried, "and
there mustn't be no pistol shootin' now
nor after"
"I'll see fair play" said Harden. "Now
Sail, you clear out. Go to yer room an
stay there"
she went, weeping. Harden was boss
everywhere. He handled men rs the
machinery handled the logs. The rest of
the women were packed Off with her.
The dance was over.
A ring was formed. and straps thrown
on the floor for the combatants to make
choice.
Them things amt no use," cried
Nick, contemptuously "If I'm licked
I'll shoot him later on, an il he's licked
he'll lay fer me. Yer can't hender us.
Give us knives, so's't we can settle II
right now. We can play Jack just the
same with knives"
The maddened crowd took IL up.
The gladiatorial passion was rising.
That's right" they yelled. Give 'em
knives an let 'em settle it,"
Harden and few others protcsted:
"We can't have no l<nifln,'" they urged;
but the mob only clamored the more,
and the frenzy grew.
Jim was silent.
CD II, give up the knives" he said,
at last. "Lct's have ii out"
Harden had taken another drink
20 steady his nerves for his responsible
duties as umpire. lie no longer stag
gered. Nut the whisky and excitement
fred his brain; and at Jim's word his
daredevil temper broke loose.
let her rip, then!~ he shouted, "and
devil take the loser. Fetch on yer
knives, ye bloody cusses."
Two huge meat kniyea were brough,
from the kitchen. The duelists sat
down ON the floor. and whettcd them
20 razor edge on their boot legs.
Their eyes were then securely ban
daged. In place of the connecting
strap, the ends OF dog-chain were
firmly fastened about their left wrists
They faced one another on all fours,
cach grusping his murderous weapon.
The chain was drawn taut. Jim won
the toss.
"All ready-go in" shouted the UNI
pirc.
"Jacit, where be your" called Jim.
Here / be-" hisscd Nick lie ierked
the Chain, bu. did not change his posi-
tion.
jim, who counted on spring. struck
TO the left and missed: but his heavy
iladc split the flooring and buried itself
TO the hilt.
Mick next" said the umpire.
Watch out. jim" yelled the crowd.
Again the deadly formula was ut
tered. Jim sDrang backward 10 tho