The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-08

ously into the tent.
We had only begun when Baptiste
came in quietly, but hurriedly, and
whispered to me:
"Msieu Craig, he's gone to Slavin's
and would lax you and M'sieu Graeme
would follow queek. Sandy, he's take
one leel drink up at de stable, and he's
go mad lax one diable."
sent him for Graeme, who was pre-
siding at dinner, and set off for Slavin's
at run. There found Mr.. Craig and
Nelson holding Sandy, more than half
drunk, back from Slavin, who, stripped
to the shirt, was cooly waiting with
taunting smile.
"Let me go, Mr.. Craig" Sandy was
saying. II am good Presbyterian. He
is a papist thief, and he has my money,
and / will have it out Of the soul Of
him."
'Let him go, preacher" sneered Sia-
vim. "I'll cool him off for you. But
you'd better hold him if you want his
mug left on to him."
LET him gor' Keefe was shouting.
"Hands OFF, Blaney was echoing.
I pushed my way in. whats up?' I
cried.
"Mr Connor," said Sandy solemnly,
"it is gentleman you are, though your
name is against you, and am good
Presbyterian, and can give you the
commandments and reasons annexed
to them, but yon's a thief, a papist
thief, and am justified in getting my
money out Of his soul"
But" 1 demonstrated, "you won't
get it in this way"
"He has my money" reiterated San
dy.
"He is a blank liar, and he's afraid
to take it up" said Slavin in a low, cool
tone.
With a roar Sandy broke away and
rushed at him, but without moving
from his tracks Slavin met him with
straight left handler and laid him fat.
"Hoorayw yelled Blaney. ireland
fore7erw and, seizing the iron poker,
swung it around his head, crying,
'sBack, or, by holy Moses, I'll kill the
first man that interferes wild the
gamer
"Give it to himr' Keefe said say
agely.
Sandy rose slowly, gazing round stu
pidly.
"He don't know what hit him."
laughed Keefe.
This reused the highlander, and, say
ing, "I'll settle you afterward, Mr..
keefe," he rushed in again at S!aVin.
Again Slavin met him with his left,
staggered him and before he fell took
step forward and delivered terrific
right hand blow on his jaw. Poor San
dy went down in a 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 a
long drawn "Sap-r-r-r-rier' rushed at
SlaYin.
But Graeme caught him by the back
Of the neck, saying, Hold on, little
man," and, turning to Slavin, pointed
to Sandy, who was reyiving under
Nelson's care, and said, whats this
for?''
"Ask him." said Slavin insolently.
"He knows"
What is it, Nelson"
Nelson explained that Sandy, after
drinking some at the stable and glass
at the Black Rock hotel, had come
down here with Keefe and the others,
had lost his money'and was accusing
Slayin Of robbing him.
"Did you furnish him with liquor"
said Graeme sternly.
"It is none Of your business re-
piled Sfayin, with an oath.
81 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, 'it is
a pity you said that, because, unless
you apologize in one minute, I shall
make you sorry"
"Apologize?" roared Slavin. "Apolo-
gize to you?" calling him vile name.
Graeme grew white and said, even
more slowly:
..Now you'll have to take it. No apol-
ogy will do"
He slowly stripped off coat and vest.
Mr.. Craig interposed, begging
Graeme to let the matter pass.
"Surely it is not worth it,
"A1r. Craig" said Graeme, with an
easy smile, ''you don't understand. No
man can call me that nan.S and walk
around afterward feeling Nell."
Then, turning to Slavin, he said:
"Now, if you want minutes rest I
can wait"
Slavin, with curse, bid him come.
"Blaney," said Graeme sharply, you
get back" Blaney promptly stepped
back to Keefe's side. "Nelson, you and
Baptiste can sec that they stay there"
The old man nodded and looked at
Craig, who simply said:
"Do the best you can"
It was good fight. Sla7in had plen-
ty of pluck and for a time forced the
fighting, Graeme guarding easily and
tapping him aggravatingly about the
nose and eyes, drawing blood, but not
disabling him. Gradually there came
a look Of fear into Slavin's eyes, and
the beads stood upon his face. He had
met his master.
"Now, Slavin, you're beginning to be
sorry, and I am going to show you
what you are made off,
Graeme made one or two lightning
passes, struck Slavin one, two, three
terrific blows and laid him quite fat
and senseless.
keefe and Blaney both sprang for
word h,,t there was q savage kind Of