The evening times., 1900-06-30

bunk IN one corner, 3 table holding a I'm
PLACED bowl and pitcher. a towel, Two
chairs with buckskin bottoms and irayed
yellow mat that covered q portion O. the
stone floor. The door was the only source
OF ventilation. The room was papered
with spotted crushed straw berry paper
which had a bloody appearance in me
finereal glow OF the taiiOw zip; II pre-
seuted many fantastic images IN the mel
low light The mesOnerO. after moment,
lighted the g,ass lamp and hesitated 70
leave. as Il sctuated by some unsatished
curiosity
I wish you pleasant nieht's sleep.
sencrT le said
Thank you. I replied. ,ndinereEtly-
and then. we would like our team al
daybreak." I added
I understand you 20 70 Bisbee once a
north ." said the mesoaero, with slmu-
lated cough.
Quite true I answered
You used 10 have a guard before the
railroad came. senior.
Il am never without one" l answered,
throwing my belt and pistols O. the bed
and removing my coat
The 81. .OC9 Of the Copper Jack Com
pany's money was in 2 hand-satehel which
l had dropped on a chair. The 7resOnero's
eyes continually wandered from that 20
nv belt and from my belt to my coat,
which had tossed on the edge Of the bed
I knew the landlords thought. and il
seemed l could read the greed in his IN
steady eyes.
Good night. senor," he said. and he
bowed low. with sideiong glance at the
money bag.
Good night I replied. "and remem-
Der. seroT, We leave at Gaybreak"
placed the valise Of money under my
pillow, closed the door. propped chair
against it-for there KS no key in the
l0ck-and got into bed. The room was
close, since there was no ventilation; and
had II not been for the Copper Jack Com
pany's EIoney / would have left the door
open, for l was accustomed to fresh air
and bunk in the sand and nothing above
me but the heavens and the stars
For some time I lay thinking Of many
things; l could family hear the noise in
the cantina and the courtyard below; but
I was weary from the days journey and
soon slept soundiy.
I was awakened by an impeTceptibie
movement Of the pillow under my head.
Instantly l seized a wrist 81 ! I received =
blew which was misdirecf Aa-a forearm
fell across my chin ana / felt slight
sting in my shoulder as if a knife had
touched and pricked the skin. Then l
grasped the other wrist and a desperate
struggle ensued. It was pitch dark Not a
others arms like madmen- I was at dis
advantage for I lay upon my back The
rcbber sought TO press down my arms, buC
the mental vision Of a deadly dagger gave
me strength. Once, twice, more than that
I thought the point OF the weapon was at
my throat and l would perish. But l held
his wrists with a vice-like grip, mean
while striving to gain my feet
Presently l threw him 10 the side OF the
+ bed. I got my feet upon the floor and sat
beside him. Then We stood. but I trippea
in the loose bed covering and fell TO the
floor, pulling my asssilaRt down with ne
I felt his knee upon my chest, and once or
twice the chill Of steel was on my arn--
Finally / gained my feet for I was strong
er, and this gave me hope Exhausted by
I the combat the robber ceased to struggle.
He stood still His respiration was short
and audible But in a moment he made a
desperate lunge. and freed himself from
my grasp And as he broke away the
weapon be held changed upon the floor.
/ l found my pistol. and with 10 and fro
motion of my left hand / sought the rob
ber A death like stiffness followed the
( struggle. Momentarily ] expected a Ts-
newal of the assault, and continued 10
move my hand in the darkness cs Il I would
grasp him at the onset. l listened for the