Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1902-12-04

ger u n -sN-
''He has my money" reiterated San
dy.
"He is 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
a straight left handler and laid him fat.
"Hooray" yelled Blaney. ireland
forever!" and, Selling the iron poker,
swung it around his head, crying,
"Back. or, by holy Moses, I'll kill the
first man that interferes wild the
game"
"Give it to himy' Keefe said saw
agely.
Sandy rose slowly, gazing round stu
pidly.
"He don't know what hit him."
| laughed Eeefe.
This reused the highlander, and, say
ing, "Pll settle you afterward, Mr..
keefe," he rushed in again at Slavin.
| 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
| lao -,
long drawn "Sap-r-r-r-rie!" rushed at
| Slavin.
But Graeme caught him by the back
of the neck, saying, Hold on, little
man," and, turning to Slavin, pointed
| to Sandy. who was reviving under
| Nelson's care, and said, "What's this
for?'
"Ask him." said slavin insolently.
"He knows"
"What is 1t, 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 ami was accusing
| Slavin of robbing him.
Ibid you furnish him with nquor?'
said Graeme sternly.
cit is none Of your business" re-
piled Slavin, 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, sit is
a pity you said that, because, unless
you apologize in one minute, shall
make you sorry"
"Apologize?" roared Slavin. "Apolo-
gize to your" calling him vile name.
Graeme grew white and said, even
more slowly:
"Now you'll have to take 1t. 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,
"Mr. Craig" said Graeme, with an
easy smile, you don't understand. No
man can call me that name and walk
around afterward feeling well.''
"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 see that they stay there"
The old man nodded and looked at
Craig, who simply said:
"Do the best you can"
1t was a good fight. Slavin 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
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 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 fiat
and senseless.
Keefe and Blaney both sprang for
ward, but there was a savage kind Of
growl.
Hold, therew It was old man Mel
son, looking along pistol barrel. "Yo,
know me, Keefe," he said. "You won
do any murder this time"
Keefe turned green and yellow ant
staggered back, while Slavin slowl.
rose to his feet.
"Will you take some more7" sait
Graeme. you haven't got much; but
mind. have stopped playing with you
Put up your gun, Nelson. No one will
Interfere now.'
Slavin hesitated, then rushed, bu
) Greene stepped to meet him, and W
} saw Slavin's heels in the air as he fel
} back upon his neck and shoulders an,
5 lay still, with his toes quivering.
"Bon!' yelled Baptiste. "Bully boy
OATS de bon stuff! OATS larn him on
) good lessonw But Immediately h
| shrieked, "Gar-r-r-r-e a yous!'
He was too late, for there was