The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-11-13

out support, leaned against the oaken
gallery rail and nodded his head to
every observation. 1t looked as If they
were coming In potValiant mood to beat
up my quarters and avenge their sliced
polls. Their testified to the
state of their wits. The one who vas
haranguing carried a shor sword, the
other held a heavy stick in his right
hand n a great leathern jack in his
right.
Presently the jack went up to his
lips, back went his head, and he took
a hearty draught. Then he handle the
vessel to his companion with an en-
phatic nod, and shook his stick at me
in turn. While the man with the sword
drank. the fellow with the club pre-
serving an immovable solemnity of
face. began to strike thunderous blows
upon the stout rail and to below Il
r~esounding stave. Almost with the first
words OF his song, Siani rushed up to
him and began to speak e~Xcitedly. He
took not the least notice Of her, and. in
another moment, Enid stood before him,
pointing downstairs. and commanding
him to leave the gallery.
With a cry Of drunken fury he turned
short upon her and aimed a blow with
his fist. Slant was between them like
lightning and received the blow upon
her shoulder. It's force was such, how
ever, as to hurl her violently against
her mistress and both went headlong
to the floor, Enid striking her head
against one of the heavy clumsy chairs
with which the gallery was furnished.
Choking with rage, l darted down the
stairs and flew upon the rufiian. now
swinging up his club to strike at the
PROSTATE and defenseless women.
The carblne was in my hand. but at
such close quarters l dare not use shot.
| reversed it as I ran gripped the bar
rel In my right hand a few inches be-
low the trigger and dashed the stock
into the face of my foe.
The crashing blow tool him squarcly
across the law and cheek. and down
he went, the blood spouting from nose
and mouth and ears. l turned upon
the second fellow, who was just rails
Ing his sword In slow, tipsy fashion.
Him l struck a butting blow which took
him in the chest and sent him spinning
down stair after stair till he reached
the flags of the hall. Turning, I found
Siani already on her feet and half lift
ing her mistress.
l flung away the carbine, sprang for
ward. tool the lear burden from her,
and hurried to my lair as a shouting,
furious crowd sprang on us from be
low. 1 made two steps along the upper
gallery, laid Enid down in the shelter
OF The wall. and inInDpl hack to hold
the stair head. Siani had followed at
my heels and ran to her mistress.
A noisy mob was gathered in the GAL
lery about the fallen man, several reel
ing on their net, all shouting one
thing or anothm at the top of their
voices. wranglisk, yelling, shaking fists
toward the darkness that hid me, full
OF the rage OF drink, yet none daring
to set foot toward my hold. My anger
was such that / would have slain the
whole batch of rogues at a blow had it
lain in my power. I poured into the
crowd every shot I could muster. the
swan shot and the bullets from the
second pistol.
They howled In alright at this sud
den shower of lead and ran to cover,
Two or 'nree as II
me nuliets a round their billet, a
thing likely enough at so short a
range, n the place was clear again.
ions1v ''N' 7iain l Whispered ahN
..sh u. 49,,
sa ~ 70 Gu.ee Wi ainsMereI ,lle
nmlv nida,, en- "a. ~ - .ne Wa
L,,rt Srrou'a,y o. HaSe 'hes
M ' ~ = ;, 80, r u,
tho n,os ~ n,nSrn "slu !, naNe hau
ne mos. wohaeriul fortune
"It 30 onIiau ~ nsNs".
inr 1910, ra, :" 'i'ue' Aep'ieu' ho'h-
Sy,fa,
,o,ir 70 40 snn,othtnm -, n.y. q
- "a sotnetnt,S asheu l.ilu;
40 az af ,,,. sno .oiu ~ stoiy u 'ie
w. ..J mas - SMal sho..
i, Nv $50 sule ~ sie saiu. was
49, ~ 1.euIn siNltls swine oluers 10
~ ~ VIZ" W !, tilefe' anu eianl vas WIN
me, Wnen the door a suddenly
s,nil'Hleu 70 ailu nero asalnst US | ielt
~ - "a" ~ pleVens any warning pe.
tls Slnen u you OF some pan, put
olanl as loudly as she could,
anu .ouk on her shoe n oeat the
y WI - ieei'
heard 1t plainly | replied; plain
~. Ihere was a distinct sound of warn
Ing IN 1t, too, though l had already
seen them and vas prepared"
Il think 1t was that" went on Enid.
which made the strangers angry with
u.s."
And 1t is all my fault" said r.
"Oh, no, no. she cried at Is 7 who
should beg yorr forgiveness for ,eading
you into ali this"
And pray" said T "what would NV
case be at his moment If Won had nnt
eSerted your influence TO saye maa Had
Won LEFT mo IN tha hiuside r sbnnid
have been shot or stahhed within =
minute or vo,1r hack heine t,,rn.a
Whitesock could not fend off hnllats
and I had been an instant 10 rs $3.50 he
for yoir rondnass r. me-" So ou'