Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1899-04-06
me, you will believe I'm In earnest



men were strained, but Williams was
much too strong in the esteem of the
rough element for Tomey to declare
for an open breach.
Don't worry about me shootin'
ahead Of time," he replied surlily. 'but
hurry up these proceedings. / want to
get back to town with the boys to eel
citrate this funeral
Every well, we're ready. I will count
one, two, three, and then you are both
to blaze away at the word sFirev,
went on Williams, at the time leveling
his pistol at Tomeys breast.
I'm going to keep you under cover"
said he, as Tomey drew back with a
start, ito make sure you don't fire
at my man till the proper time. Your
second may also cover my man, if he
likes, to make certain his gun don't go
off too soon, and that will even up the
coverin' business all around"
Tomey's second, not to be outdone by
Williams, and acting on his advice
promptly drew bead on Matthews
and thus the seconds stood. The
crowd began to insinuate that there
were too many hifalutin novelties be-
ing introduced at the duel, but Will
liams silenced all dissension by the fe-
rocity of his rebuking glare.
Nov, then, ready" he called, ana
the principal brought their weapons
to bear upon each other. "One!' ht
continued, and paused abruptly. Tom
ey aimed at his antagonists head, hold.
ing his pistol motionless and true
Matthews covered the entire anatomi
cal range of the ruffian and fastened
his eyes unfinchingly upon the snaky
little optics.
One minute, two minutes, tire min
utes passed, but Williams, cody dis
regarding the lapse of time, refrained
from continuing the count. Instead,
he leisurely surveyed Tomey and kept
his pistol barrel on line with the lat
ter's heart. Matthews, who was still
covered by Tomey's second, remained
serene and totally Indifferent as to aim.
Tomey was beginning to show signs of
nervousness and tension. His pistol
arm twitched perceptibly once or twice
and he shifted his aim from Matthews
head to his heart. The spectators NUT
tered impatiently at the delay, but
Williams paid no heed. He waited five
minutes, then announced in sepulchral
tones:
'Twow
Matthews now took careful aim,
pointing his weapon directly at Tom
ey's brain. Tomey was plainly ill at
ease and eager to let fly at his oppon-
ent. Once Matthews withdrew his
glance from Tomey's eyes and allowed
it to rest upon the yawning grave. I'm
consciously Tomey's glance followed
suit; but the suggestions that grisly
chasm inspired in his mind must have
been unpleasant, for his pistol arm was
observed to twitch again and his aim
became unsteady and fluctuating. Mat
thews, however, brought his eyes to
bear once more upon Tomey's. But the
latter found it difficult to return the
piercing gaze. Instead, he shifted his
glance from the grave to Matthews
rigidly held pistol.
| The time dragged horribly, yet the
relentless Williams remained silent.
The mutterings of the spectators gave
place to a settled hush-deep, signifi-
cant, awful. Tomey's face grew pallid
and began to work systematically. Per-
spiration broke out on his brow and
ran in tiny streams down his cheek.
He gulped several times like a fam
ished creature.
/ "Threev' roared Williams. His prin-
cipal extended his weapon half an inch
forward and ran his eye along the
barrel. But Tomey was fairly palsied.
His eyes were staring and bloodshot;
his pistol barrel was swinging from
side to side like pendulum and fright
ened within an inch of his life. The
silence was maddening, yet Williams
seemed in no hurry to break it with
the fatal word.
The terrible delay was too much for
the cowardly ruffian, who suddenly
gave hoarse cry, fired his pistol wild
ly, and leaped into the grave. Williams
and the spectators made dash for
him. The shot had passed harmlessly
over Matthews head, but the crowd
was eager to avenge the treachery
which had prompted it. The grave
was deep, but they got the poltroon
out, and by no gentle means, either.
His second in the meantime, under
cover of the confusion, decamped.
Nov, you miserable cur" said Will
liams, when Tomey had been set on his
feet, still quivering and sick from ter
ror, you may take your choice
either Mr.. Matthews here shall kill you
las he has first calD or l shall do the
job, as / promised you"
Tomey begged hard for his life, but
Williams was obdurate, and the crowd
even his former friends-were anx-
ious to attend the funeral at once.
Matthews pleaded for him. He said
he was content to accept the cringing
apology, which the coward poured out
in torrent, and let him go. His en-
treaties finally gained the day, but not,
~ oAx4 h n v.iN