San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-07

| ~5'AyH-
Caldioell sDds tDdtttng to plant a second
blOlc.
dation. Some of the others stared at one
another little oddly and blankly. Cald-
we'll stood by the table, leaning upon
it, breathing heavily. He looked up at
Davenire and exclaimed:
"What does the whelp want to bully
me for? 1t was done for the general
good-for his good, therefore. What was
the woman to himp Or is the whining
idiot tired of his life?"
Just when he spoke those words Mas
tiers emerged from his cabin. He may
or may not have heard the speech Of
the gloomy, black browed man. He
grasped his revolver, portly weapon
Of six barrels, and swinging those sinis-
ter muzzles depressed to the deck he
said to Caldwell in cold voice and
with pale but steady face, 81 am
ready for you whenever and wherever
you please. 4"
"Ohi" said Caldwell, with violent
start, while distinct tinge of green
sifted into the color Of his cheeks. "If
you are ready and want Trollope,
I'll leave you to make the arrangements
while go and load.
Davenire withdrew his huge shape in
silence, and silence also fell upon the
rest of the men till Caldwell appeared.
He had taken as long time again as
the other in loading his weapon, piece
exactly after the pattern of Masters.
When you pulled the trigger, the barrels
revolved, and for convenience and pre-.
cision it was about as good to take aim
with as one of those memorable blum
derbusses which Hankey had committed
to the deep.
Where's it to be, Trollope?" said he
in a low voice.
"We must chalk for you on the quar-
ter deck" said Trollope.
They went down the weather poop
ladder, Masters leading, Caldwell clos
ing the file. Trollope measured IL PAGES
in the lee gangway. This was the best
place for the proposed murder. The ele-
walton Of the ouddy front protected the
sight from the great glare on the quar-
ter There was shelter here, too, from
the wind, for the flash of it under the
main trysail-main trysails were then
oarried-oleared the rail above the head
and left a sort Of gentle eddyings such
as you get under the lee of a parapet
even when it blows great guns
The spectators Of this duel grouped
themselves upon the main hatch, clear
Of the most distracted aim, as you may
suppose. Trollope pulled out q white
handkerchief and held it up.
'Are you ready?' said he.
Ready" said both men in one
breath.
Masters turned his handsome, decay
ed face up with an instant's look of APP
peal-of alteration even; then his eyes
went to his opponent He in that pause
stood rounded in the back like cat
stretching itself. He was hunched with
savage resolution. The spirit of murder
was in his soowl, in his gaze, in the set
Of his lips You feared foul play as you
watched. Would he anticipate the fall
VI -tuo uhuuhcrCuicl ny Ouo bcCOuu VI
time In justification of his looks?
The handkerchief dropped from the
hand of Trollope. The revolvers blazed
In the same instant. The combined
noise Of those old fashioned pieces was
louder than the report of four pound
er. Masters sprang backward. explod-
ing a second charge right into the deck.
then let fall his pistol He made -four
ish with his hand to his heart, looked
round to Barn with smile and fell on
his face.
Caldwell hunched-stood unhurt
"Is he desd?" said Davenire anxious
ly.
Burn tenderly turned him over. The
young fellow groaned twice, and with
that second groan expired.
"You plugged him with barbarous
fine aim, seeing what sort Of ground it
is" said Trollope to Caldwell as he
knelt by the dead man. Look here
He put his fingers in q hole in the
cloth exactly over the heart