The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-12

time.
1t was not seriously meant. but 1t
caught the fancy of the mob. There was
q roar Of appreciation.
A huge form came shouldering the
throng. 1t was Harden. He staggered
a little: no man present had drunk more
whisky that night. yet he was plainly
the soberest as well as the biggest of
them all. and their master.
"What's the row?" he 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 good way. Jim.
can We strap the hide clean off'n the
sneakin' cuss?'
For answer Jim unbuckled his heavy
leather belt. and swung it above his
head until 1t shrieked like a buzz saw.
Nick sneered, but paled little; and his
crafty brain was busy.
Say we have 1t out in a game o
jack" he said. "do We promise?"
Sally bowed her head.
whichever one licks?"
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 blasted coward to stand up to
me-" sneered Nick.
A blow full in the face was the ans
wer. Nick's pistol leaped out as the head
Of a serpent springs from coil. Sally's
quick hand struck up the muZzle, yet
the bullet sheared through Jim's curly
locks, and the powder blackened his
brow.
How dare you?" screamed the girl.
Fight air. or I shan't promise no
body. I won't have no pistol shoOtin'."
"Spose yer wants US ter hev It out in
game O. Jack, where be ye, or some
such devilish nonsense" growled Nick.
"Ye must fight fair" she cried. land
there mustn't be no pistol shooting
now nor AFTER
III 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 as the
machinery handled the logs. The rest
Of the women We're 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 If he's licked
he'll lay fer me. Ye can't hender us.
Give us knives. so's't we can settle it
right now. We can play Jack just
the same with knives"
The maddened crowd took it up. The
gladiatorial passion was rising. That's
right" they yelled. "Give 'em knives
an let 'eln settle it."
Harden and few others protested:
1--WE can't have no knifn'," they urged;
but the mob only clamored the more,
and the frenzy grew.
Jim was silent.
Cd it, give up the knives" he said.
at last. Lets have it out"
Harden had taken another drink-to
steady his nerves for his responsible
duties as umpire. He no longer stag
gered. but the whisky and excitement
fired his brain: and at Jim's word his
daredevil temper broke loose.
Let her rip, them" he shouted, land
devil take the loser. Fetch on yer
knives, ye bloody cusses."
Two huge meat knives were brought
from the kitchen. Inc uueNsts sat
down on the floor, and whetted them
to a razor edge on their boot legs. Their
eyes were then securely bandaged. In
place Of the connecting strap, the ends
of a dog-chain were firmly fastened
about their left wrists. They faced one
another on all fours, each grasping his
murderous weapon. Ihe chaih was
drawn taut. jim won the loss.
All ready-go IN, shouted the uHi-
pire.
Jack, where be you! caileu JIM
Here be- Missed NICK. lie )erKed
the chain, but did not change MS POSI-
ton.
Jim. who counted on spring, STRUCK
to the left and missed; but his heaVy
blade split the flooring and buried ltselt
to the hilt.
Mick next" said the umpire. "Watch
out. Jim.' yelled the crowd.
Again the deadly formula was ut
tered. Jim sprang backward to the
limit OF the chain. jerking Nick's lett
hand along the floor. Yet as the steel
descended with venomous swish, the
point drew a stinging line down Jim's
cheek; 1t redeemed, and bright drops
trickled down.
"Strike again. cried the umpire.
Nick made a quick. catlike stroke IN
the same direction: but Jim had dou-
bled, and was close by his side. Ihe
men cheered.
Now, jim
Jim twitched the chain, then struck.
Nick slipped from under the weil-aimed
blow, but the Keen edge cnpped the UP
of finger from the mana that rested on
the fioor. He instantly ciosed MS ilst.
but the betrayihg ploou ooHed OUT