Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-07-03

coat, and my own passed clean through
the top of his left shoulder.
Down he went, carrying my sword
with him, and a howl set up from the
men.
"A foul blow! A foul blow!" they
cried. and j had but time to pull my
rapier away when they We're upon me.
The first to come caught my fist on his
nose and rolled away with a groan of
pain. but in an instant the others had
me down. Twas wretched scramble
of a fight, one against four, and /
kicked and struck out and cursed them
all for towards, when on a sudden the
officers voice sounded high above the
others. and With his one good arm and
the tavern keepers assistance, he
pulled the crowd off.
I Jumped to my feet, daZed and near
ly mad with anger, to receive a tap on
my shoulder from the fiat of his sword.
we've not finished With me- my
friend. Have We had enough?"
II? You British spy had enough?
IN send Your poor soul to he'll before
I've had enough!"
"Good!" said he. Good. Ills
proper spirit! hut hell waits, for 9TH
crs than me tonght;" and he was ~ me
again with the blood running down the
soaked sleeve OF his left arm. that
swung aimlessly at his side. The man
was game beyond n doubt. and a
strange respect for him crept over me.
cooling my brain and giving me a sight
of what l must do to save my own
life.
Again he beat into my guard. Again
he pushed me to the wall. But | was
cooling down, and he could not stand
the terrible strain. If could but hold
him off, his heavy drinking would sap
his strength before mine began to fail,
and with that now heart came to me.
and | smiled on him as he worked to
touch me.
That, and the knowledge of his fail
ing strength. goaded him i'm a tender
spot, and he lost his temper and his
easy air. could hear him mutter
soft curse now and then, and the cool
smile was gone. Then tried again
lodging thrust that had met 81 wall of
cold steel earlier in the fight.
Waiting TIL he prepared u thrust of
his own. ] PARTED with too waving
motion, and swung my blade far out
to the right. He saw the lost guard AT
once, by saw too late how l drew In
my arm and turned the point at his
breast. l dropped on both knees as
his. rapier passed close by my head,
and he literally spitted himself on mine,
falling heavily on me without n SOUND.
Knowing what would come, ! rolled
him over. and, jumping up, drew both
pistols, and stood looking about the
room. which, through my blurred eyes,
showed me what seemed to be hun
drel faces.
The next will die sooner" cried.
Which shall 1t be? Which shall 1t be?
VIII ye not come, none of you? Ah."
And then. seeing some one rushing
toward me. leyeled the pistol straight
at his head, raising my eyebrows to get
clearer look, when. God help me,
had like to have shot the girl!
You are hurt, said She sofsly
Where? Where is it?'' and. looking
up at me with eyes that We're filled with
tears, she took my right wrist and
turned back the sleeve. Twas but u
scratch but his point had touched n
vein and let out II deal of blood, and
l saw her sway at the sight.
Have n care" | said quickly: "they
are coming;" but she stirred not II step
ard proceeded to wipe away the blood
from my arm. And then. growing cool
err. | saw the tavern keeper warily step
ping forward. bowling and apoogizns
and keeping sharp watch on my two
pistols.
lis all over sir. The men here Will
not break their word a tne thing WAS
their word. to be sureZ'but the gentle
man is dying Sir.
For the first time | locked at him.
He lay Just as ] had rolled him over
but any one could see that he braatlled
heavily still
Here YOU. jim" said Gewan. 'sYou
know some'at of such things. Is he
dead?
The sallow-fac countryfnan stepped
over and straightened out the body,
keeping n careful eye the while on my
pistol. as my companion swiftly and
gently bound her handkerchief above
the cut and stopped n part OF the now
Then she as gently pushed me on To ii
stool by the table and stood with her
hand unconsciously resting on my
shoulder as the countryman ripped up
the officers Jacket and barred the
wound.
Ills beyond me-" said he finally
"Ye cam do naught but wash 1t with
clean water and wait"
Take him into the other room here"
said GoWan. and three of them picked
him up and carried him into the inner
part of the tavern.
CHAPTER III.
IN WHICH 1T APPEARS THAT
THERE is MORE THAN ONE, ItIsA-
SON FOR MATIIMONY.
| was unable to do auglt. IN truth,
/ could not move, and so ! sat there
like a sick fol, never stirring, except
once to look up at my companion. and
find her looking at me steadfastly; but
l could not say word. And yet could
see the men who had returned grow
Ing more and more confident, as those
who had carried the wounded officer
away talked in low tones to the othcls.
But the tninutes gave me nay wind and
brought back some Of my nerve, and
then they came on with set faces
! stood up and graspcd my pistols,
but Ia that moment the girl stepped
forward with her head up and as proud
an air as ever chicken had against mali
coach.
What do you WISH" she asked
quietly.
We want that man! He has killed
one of us, and
zone of you, you clowns?" i cried,
taking her by the shoulder and settling
her aside. "IIe is no more Of you than
ann"
"Who are we, them" cried the spokes-
man. And what do We here? We do
not like the look of We, ana sc shall 80
no further till ye settle With US and
tell us who We may be"
1t was no drunken crew that spoke
now. and / knew 1T. They had made
up their minds. and / was too weak to
try to cope with four men. They
seemed to be natives hereabouts. and
must take my chances of their being
colonials by sentiment as we'll as birth.
There was nauaht else to do.
Il am an American soldier" / said,
travelling north alone. and you have
no more to do with me than with the
river outside the door,
Il knew it," cried the man, and the
others began to surround us. "Ye rebel
bastard. we've struck the wrong gang!
Travelling alone. eh? And what is this
baggage here with ye?"