St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-09-03
BLACK ROCK.
CHAPTER III.
rERLOO-oUR FIGHT, HIS VICTORY.

The sports were over, and there re.
b .,a;red s. ill an hour to be fille1 in before
- 1t was an hour lulI OF danger
n Craig's hopes Of victory, for the men
wore wild with excitement and ready
for the most reckless means of Sling
n inc their dust" | could not but adj
mre the skill with which Mr.. Craig
& coucht their attention.
q "Gentlemen," he called out, we've
forgotten the judge of the great race.
Three cheers for Mr. Connorw
Two of the shanty men picked me
m and hoisted me on to their shoulders
while the cheers were given.
"Announce the Punch and Judy"
"a bp ontreated me in low voice.
| did so in little speech and was
forthwith borne aloft through the street
to the booth, followed by the whole
Il crowd. cheering like mad
II The excitement of the crowd caught
me. and for an hour | squeaked and
worked the wires of the immortal and
unhappy family in a manner hitherto
N unapproached, by me at least | was
n glad enough when Graeme came to tell
me to send the men in to dinner. This
IA Mr.. Punch did in the most gracious
FL manner and again with cheers for Mr..
II Puncns master they trooped tumultu-
& ously into the tent.
N We had only begun when Baptiste
came in quietly, but hurriedly, and
Il whispered to me:
II "Tsieu Craig, he's gone to Slavins
81 and would lax you and Msieu Graeme
would follow queek. Sandy, he's take
NJ one eel drink up at de stable, and he's
u 20 mad lax one diable."
n sent him for Graeme, who was pre-
Il siding at dinner, and set off for Slavin's
81 at a run. There found Mr.. Craig and
n Nelson holding Sandy, more than half
drunk, back from Slayin, who, stripped
n to the shirt, was coolly waiting with
Il taunting smile.
LET me go, Mr.. Craig" Sandy was
Fl saying. II am a good Presbyterian. He
n is papist thief, and he has my money,
u and | will have it out Of the soul Of
him"
LET him go, preacher" sneered Sla-
n win. I'll cool him off for you. But
you'd better hold him if you want his
mug left on to him."
Let him gow Keefe was shouting.
Hands OFF, Blaney was echoing.
Ipushed my way in. whats up" l
cried,
"Mr. Connor," said Sandy solemnly,
I'll is gentleman you are, though your
name is against you, and | am a good
Presbyterian, and | can give you the
commandments and reasons annexed
to them, but yon's a thief, q papist
thief, and l am justified in getting my
money out Of his soul"
But" demonstrated, "you won't
\ get it in this way"
He has my money" reiterated San
Hdy,
He is blank liar, and he's afraid
TO take it up" said Slayin in a low, cool
tone
With roar Sandy broke away and
rushed at him, but without moving
from his tracks Slavn met him with
a straight left handler and laid him fiat
"Hoorayw yelled Blaney. ireland
forever" and, Selling the iron poker,
Swung it around his head, crying,
Back, Or, by holy Moses, III kill the
first man that interferes wild the
gamer
Give it to himr Keefe said saw
|agely.
Sandy rose slowly, gazing round stu
|pidly.
He don't know what hit him."
laughed Keefe.
This reused the highlander, and, say
Ing, IN settle you afterward, Mr..
|heefe," he rushed in again at Slavin.
Again Slavin met him with his left,
him and before he fell took
10 step forward and delivered terrific
right hand blow on his jaw. Poor San
dy went down in heap amid the yells
of Blaney, Keefe and some others of
the gang.
was in despair when in came Bap-
tiste and Graeme.
One look at Sandy, and Baptiste tore
off his coat and cap, slammed them on
the floor, danced on them and with
long drawn "Sap-r.r-r-riew rushed at
.Slayin.
But Graeme caught him by the back
of the neck, saying, Hold on, little
man." and, turning to Slavin, pointed
10 Sandy who was reviving under
Nelson's care, and said, whats this
forF"
ASK him." said Slavin insolently.
"Ho knows"
What is it, Nelson?"
Nelson explained that Sandy, after
drinking some at the stable and a glass
.at the Black Rock hotel, had come
down here with Keefe and the others,
had lost his money and was accusing
.SIayin of robbing him.
Did you furnish him with liquor"
said Graeme sternly.
1t is none Of your business" re-
.phed Slavin, with an oath.
u shall make it my business. 1t is
not the first time my men have lost
money in this saloon"
You liew said Slavin, with deliber-
ate emphasis.
"Slavin," said Graeme quietly, 'ft is
q nitu rn11 cnid tIn+ hnnn LEO ,rlnce,