The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-09-11
CHAPTER XII
THE FIGHT IN THE HALL

THE FIGHT IN THE HALL.
After the attack upo From and u
meeting with them in Cwm Cul, the
Red Men Of the Dusk vanished as mys-
teriously as they had appeared. Every
day my uncle waited eagerly for fresh
came, and, little by little, as will hap
pen when ones attention has been
strained keenly to no effect, the
thought of them almost passed from
my mind.
1t was full three weeks later, when
one day, about 4 o'clock of a bitterly
cold afternoon, 1t began to snow In
small, slow flakes out Of a black and
lowering sky. Almost with the first
fakes came a very vivid flash of
lightning and a great peal OF thunder,
and within a short time a furious storm
was raging. Surely summer tempest
never saw lightning dart more sharp
~, or heard more deafening crashes
from the sky, and through it all snow
fell, not heavily, but steadily.
There is something in my blood
which does not permit me to be still
when such turrnolls are raging. Were I
compelled to remain without moving
from one spot, I believe I should chafe
myself to death, n SO, after my usual
custom, I moved from window to win
dow, watching the storm as well as the
~NAt Lilo NGA ~ IAN
uneasiness is a family trait, for my I'M
Gle was equally disturbed and was pac-
ing his library end for end, his books
thrown on one side, and returning only
q pettish, snarling answer when spoken
to; Enid was bow stairs in her own
room; and Owain, whom the weather
Gid not disturb, ~WasNseated comforta-
bly, by the fire, fitting a new rowel into
a spur.
AS it happened, I went out into the
hall and found the man who was
charged to watch the door. o my
uncle kept someone on guard always,
trying to light a large, clumsy lamp
which hung there. Although the lamp
had been made of a considerable big
ness. yet the bungling workman had
contrived but a small door to it, SO the
man was thrusting In two fingers, and
between them a piece of glowing turf,
upon which he blew to kindle the wick.
AS 1 stood there, smiling to see the
uncon2ern with which he handled
naked fire, his horny fingers, I sup
posed, being almost devoid of sense
as the wick smoked, and then flared
brightly. I nodded to him in token of
MS triumph, n he, having no Eng
llsh, yet seeing plainly what I meant,
touched his forehead in salute and
smiled all over his broad, simple face.
At that moment there came in regu-
Jar order the taps upon the DOR which
my uncle had arranged that those be-
longing to the house should use after
nlghtfall. The mar went to a grating,
oreW back the panel, and peered out,
ana l went also and glanced over his
shoulder. The night had go far fallen
llat ne might have peered In vain had
not the sky opened with a broad sheet
Oh lame. By the light of the flash a
man WAS Saan ~ rohcoIo1 o-I W. e{~~
ol weapons about him, raising his hand
ss II to knock again. and looking like
one who had been a short distance on
an Grand.
satisfied with his survey, the door,
xseper slowly and leisurely slipped back
.'e ponderous bolts and drew the door
little open. He glanced round to see
who would enter, when a sudden shin
tas sweep Of steel leaped Upon him
toolh without. and a keen ak fastened
~ d splkestaff Glove his skull through
~ through. With a choking groan
AK man, VINO the moment before had
a lifted IN my face like a child, rolled
Sdootaoss my feet, and with his fall the
Nv ~ was hurled back, when, as silent
Az DUSK sprang in at me.
49, instructive movement had already
nated my sword In my hand, and I
Viii me leader with the point, lunging
str nr me play Of my whole weight and
wenttSth. Meeting no bone, the sword
haa through his naked body as If T.
On thrust at a curtain, and he dropped
tho.he threshold. At the same time,
Aongn KNEW 1t not at the moment,
save a Piercing cry which rang to
bac1:y corner Of the house. I plucked
pikahmy dripping sword, warded a
ao thrust at nay breast cut.