Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-05-17


nave out Just balanced on the edge OF the
bench, and sent it crashing to the floor with
Ito mel racket that might have been made
by falling house.
Both the Quaker and Lowney gave
start as the sharp sound echoed through the
room, the former dropping the spoon he was
carrying to his mouth, while the latter
sprang to his feet and looked toward the
darkened corner in which had been hid
ing. The two candles in the large apartment
gave but scant light, but, scant as it was, it
proved enough for the sharp eyes of the
gambler, who evidently caught sight of
face, for with an oath he cried: "What have
we here-a drunkard or deserter?" and ad-
vanced toward the table.
And now it appeared that would be sud
denly forced to do the very thing that but
moment before had been buzzing in my
brain as only dream. Concealment being
no longer possible, would face matters as
they fell out, and trusted to put all into
execution before help in the shape of the
negro or others without might arrive. Ere
Lowney had covered half the space betwixt
us, stopped for my sword, and, jumping to
the bench and from that to the table, dew
the blade.
As the advancing man beheld my fiaurs
loom suddenly on high, for the beams of the
ceiling barely cleared my head, he stopped
short and stepped pace or two backward,
drawing his sword the while, then with q
voice which might have been heard fur
long, he shouted:
by the great Jehovah! tits Donald
Thorndyke, or his spook from hell! Are We
run to ground at last? If We be no ghost,
surrender in the name of the king!-Ho, old
man! here is the devil himself; get to my
holsters and fetch the firearms! -Hither, We
black rascal! help me mold him here! Help
here, say! Damn the closed door!-Boy!
boy! Oh, what a pass is this"
Waiting for no action on the part of the
old Quaker, and hoping to sforestall the me-
gro, leaped to the floor, and in an instant
the swords of Lowney and myself were
crossed in combat.
The onset was so sudden that it drove the
man backward against his table, which, with
the candle and earthenware, was upset,
though the crash did not mar the fellows
guard Taking advantage Of the opening
thus made, sprang between him and the
door, and then the battle began in grim earn
est
/ The light was far too uncertain to permit
my putting into practice my well-worn
stroke, and Lowney was much too wary and
too skillful in fencing to allow me to at once
come at him by any other method. was
fairly sure of firing him and in the end beat
ing down his guard, but at present had
enough to do in looking for his tricks and
avoiding his furious lunges. In the half
light of the room the fire fewsbright from
the steel in the energy of the parry, and my
opponent hurried his fatigue by wasting
breath in constant string OF oaths.
will not go SO far as to say how this GER
tainly would have ended had there been no
Il interference, but the end came in a man
ner totally unlocked for. / had worked the
u fellow backward through the room, hoping
n to get him where he could retreat no farther,
4 and had forced him we'll toward the heavy
settle whereon still sat the Quaker, when
H that white-haired patriarch rose with an
exclamation, and seizing his staff, stepped
behind Lowney and brought the stick down
n on his barred head, telling him to the floor q
senseless carcass.
Though the blow was serviccable to me,
such an act Of war on the part of Quaker
made me turn on my ally and regard him
with establishment.
Twas foul thing to take a man from
behind when engaged in front, my friend"
broke out, "and, though give thanks for
good intentions, twas an unseemly act, and
you belle your cloth"
Thee has small time to pick fine holes in
my service, friend" he answered, hurriedly.
t'Turn thee to the window and see my mo-
tive. wish to make friends with thee, but
we must hurry! Look yonder!"
I looked as directed, and to my amaze
ment saw squad of British cavalry about
turning into the lane leading to the tavern.
There was scant time for me to run for my
arms and get to the window, but, as was
about to throw open the easement, the
Quaker laid his hand on my arm.
mot that way" he cried. ut is swamp
land, and thee would be mired in the night.
Upstairs-'tis eater for now-leave the rest
TO me"
With mighty nimbleness for SO old a
man, he drew me toward the kitchen, and,
throwing open the door, pointed to a set of
boxed-in steps leading above, and then
quickly drew back, closing the door behind
him.
I had but gotten up the short flight when
heard him go to the barroom entrance and
shout for help with all the might of his
cracked voice. In moment heard the
clatter Of arms as the men entered the low
er room, and at the same time the negro
came bounding up the stairs behind me.
The moonlight through the hall window
just showed me his black face as he ran to.
ward me, and with will to sell myself at
high cost l lifted my sword to cut him down
when he cried in horse whisper, and with
out the slightest trace of dialect:
i Hold up, man! I'm yer friend! This
way!"
AZ he spoke he indicated a door the latch
| Of which he lifted, and, throwing it wide
placed his finger on his lips as he pointed to
= passage with window at its far end
With the words: II have no time to explain;
| lie quiet till l get back" he turned and left
me, running downstairs as quickly as he had
come up.
| Now from the moment l had crossed
swords with Lowney till the present the