The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-11-06
"Geoffrey Heathcote, Esq"
BY JOHN FINNlMORE. (Copyright 1899, by S. S. Mcclure Coz

| dIlu JOSliSa ~ -
For the instant neither would give way
and the advantage was mine If swiftly
followed up. l promise you made no
laggard business of it. / had not for
gotten the dueliist's advice to his
brother when l lay under Whitesock,
and, knowing he was the more danger
Gus enemy, I gave him the point with
my full weight behind it, running him
clean through. and siashing the other
severely across the shoulder OF his
sword arm.
Down Went the first, all in a heap,
n the second staggered back. The
big fellow with the torch bounded at
me like a wolf. striking madly at me
with the blazing brand. So sudden was
his attack that the leaping flame was
at my eyes before 1 could pull myself
together to meet this new mode OF war
fare.
l raised my arm and he struck 1t fur
lously with the great splinter OF burn-
ing bog-wood. The light, tlaky wood
shattered into a thousand fragments.
covering me with suarlls and flaming
finder, while l repaid him with a thrust
which drove him bowling back. With
a few hasty sweeps Of the hand, l
freed myself from the shreds of the
torch, and stood to my guard again.
1T was some moments before I could
see clearly, for the glare of the fame
had dazzled my eyes. Where my enem-
sword from wall to wall, high and low
before me, to be sure that all vas clear
IN my front. AS my eyes began to do
their wonted service l heard a drag
! noise, and saw the torch-bearer
drawing away the body of the duel1ist,
Who began to utter choking groans as
he was moved. The other mar had al
ready retreated and, though it would
have been Easy for me to cut off the
two at hand, yet 1 could not find it
IN my heart to attack the faithful fe!-
low, who, wounded himself, was succor-
Ing his master,
l trampled out the glowing fragments
Which Uttered the floor, drew a deep
breath, and thought gratefully of the
~ut-hea S!ani guarding the WIN
COW within. But for her my case would
be hopeless. A single assailant In the
rear would make a swift end OF the bus
mess, The day was now wearing on.
ana the light grew fainter in the GAL
iery, and in consequence my narrow
fortress became duskier mar ever.
rive, ten nj passed., and no
lTesH attempt was set OF foot. l posted
myself at the angle and kept a keen
LOOKOUT, but saw no one. A continued,
1nutter OF voices warned me that plenty
OF roes We're lurking near the narrow
enefahce 10 my den, but they gave no
other sign of their presence.
Suddenly I jumped in sheer fright.
My nerves We're strained to expect but
one thing and that was a rush from the
gallery, when Il loud hollow stroke rang
at my elbow on the other side of the
Val upon which I leaned. I shook with
surprise. Several d~ull-sound!ng blows
were given, and then clang! clang! an
IRON bar rang upon stone. I was at no
loss to explain their movements, and
DIT my under lip till the blood ran, as 1
cudgelled my perplexed brain for some
way or meeting this clever plan. My
enemies We're within a couple Of feet
of me knocking a hole in the wall.
they had skilfuily chosen a point
Which would rake the lower end OF the
passage. once a gap vas made they
a put to thrust the muzzle of a mus
ket through, n my flank was turned,
my fortress untenable.
Luckily, the partition walls of that
stout Old house We're soundly build of
quarried stone, INC the clinking bar
had q good twenty minutes work he
fore 1t ere the plaster on my side would
be reached.
To retreat to the room behind me-
was useless. 1t was big enough to ad-
init a score to hack at me. and die
missed the idea instantly, I sent NV
thoughts out and ran in mind over tha
Whole mouse, with which 1 had become
quite familiar. The gallery. the wide
stairs. the hall, the ronderous door. the
hillside without, these strung them
before my inner eye. and I Won
dered II a dash We're possible. But I
could not help shaking my head as I
the risks. OF a sudden nv
as it seemed of their own
VIII, turned and ran upstairs. saw
the flights OF broad shallow stems tha
long corridor on the next floor. with
It's rows of doors opening to the gar
rets where slept servants and retain
ers, q clumsy ladder leading to a fran
uoor Wnlch gave entrance to a cham
per IN the roof, and 1 caught my breath
at the idea which flashed into my mind
An impregnable fortress" Thought
l; could | but reach it, an tmprerna-
bic fortress. They dare do nothino hn+
starve me out Of 1t, and much might
happen before then"
felt q burning eagerness to try NV
rate at once. l slipped out Of my Boots.
lieu my sword to my wrist by a kerr
ch1ef, for fear 1T should be struck from
hand, took a tight grip Of my loaded
pistol and made a cautious stem or two
down the outer end of the passape
men by inch | drew on until I was hut
yard from the mouth. and I felt sure
tnal none OF the guard was very close
the opening. Then, like a hare fro,n
her form, I darted out at full speed.
A great roar of surprise went IN. and
dozen men sprang at me at once
Two or three pistols were fired at ran.
dom, but the balls went wide of me
and l passed clean through the crowd
the further side of the gallery, Ev-
cry one of the band stationed here wa
once filled with the same idea.
They never dreamed but that 7 was
rushing for the stairs and hall ana
they swung In a yelling wave to the
to cut me off. This piavad
my game to q nicely, and left fI11Iv
open the flight on the opposite side
leading to the next floor. up ! Went
three steps at q bound, followed bv q
second cry of surprise at seeing, mo
as they thought, plunge deeper into
the trap. Then there was a t%hundero1s
pounding OF heavy boots as thew
after me. But my start vas
TOO good, and, when the first face an.
peared at the head of the stairs. T wnc
already lifting the trap.
lung 1t back, bounded in, hurlad Tho
ladder down with a crash
the boards below, and roared tri.
ufnphantly: Now, I am your master
but a finger on that ladder to foi.
low me, and I Will blow you and the
house to fragments"
r. M ono .L norho NO HH rt ..L. En- 4