The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-04

: "I'm hitl'' ar
Flower heard me coming and turned
TO meet me. SO short was the distance
between Us that our revolvers crashed
together In the air. exploding harm
lessly as they met For moment each
seized and held the others wrist as in
wise, and then, as II by tacit agree
ment, our revolyers were dropped to
the ground. and we locked in deadly
grapple It was no child's play Both
of us were strong and 1.-the and active
and we reeled and swayed hither and
thither. with not sound between Ms
but the quick gasping breaths that
broke from each in the dreadful effort
TO gain the vantage But the struggle
was as short as it was violent Flower
was the heavier man, and with fierce
trouble at my heart felt myself borne
backward to the ground, my antago-
nist's knee upon my chest and his strong
fingers gripping my throat and com
pressing my windpipe, 80 that to call
for aid was now impossible. His dark.
bearded face was close to mine, and his
hot breath stifled me as he painted forth
string Of furious oaths.
Curse your be said. you've
spoiled my game again. as you've done
this many time before But it's my
turn now. and I'll leave my mark on
you before CO.
The breath was nearly squeezed out
of my body; but, half unconscious as |
was, ! dimly saw long bladed knife
raised above me, and then some one
leaped from the window, fell, raised
himself again - crack crack one
shot after the other, the knife clat-
tered harmlessly to the ground. The
grip on my throat relaxed. and, shak-
ing himself free. the bushranger bound
ed through the shrubbery before ! could
collect my scattered senses.
"Helpl" roared Foster. for 1t was he
who had come to my rescue so oppor-
timely "Helpl' he cried again, send
ing another shot in the direction Flow
er had taken, and then he reeled to and
fro like drunken man, and, just as
staggered to my feet aud Mr., Ingram
came rushing out, fell prone upon the
ground.
But now the whole establishment
used Lights flashed hither and
thlther, ws:ien servants screamed at
the top of their voices, and the men
focked from their quarters to learn the
cause Of the unusual disturbance. l
knelt down by Foster and turned him
over, when he opened his eyes and
looked up at me.
"Safe, sergeant7" he said family
"That's right Got a bullet in ME
somewhere. Couldn't get out sooner
But hit him-I'm sure hit"- And
he swooned again.
''Look to him, squire" cried, land
you, Drake, come with me- Flower is
wounded, ] know, and we may catch
him yet. The horses are down on the
fat. Come alongr' And I raced
through the garden, followed by the
stockman. But before I reached the
boundary fence pulled up short, for
deep groan fell upon my ear.
''He is here somewherel" I shouted.
"Bring along light, squire.
The squire and the men came run
ming up with lanterns, and few PAGES
farther on we found Flower, shot unto
death.
"Waterl' he moaned as we bent
over him He was evidently at his last
gasp, but one Of the men FASTENED back
to the house for some water Long be-
fore he could return, however. a strong
eonvulsion shook the bushrangers
frame He opened his eyes, and their
last conscious look fell on me. 1.-THE
odd trick to you this time. sergeant
he said and never spoke again.