The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-11-13

tll 6tHIiJA u, IttLl4It 'tSSNNA.i9N NAiG INV
gallery rail and nodded his head TO
every observation. 1t looked as If they
were coming in ~pOtValiant mood to beat
up my quarters ana aVenSe their sliced
polls. Their weapons testified to the
state of their wits. The one who was
haranguing carried q short sword, the
other held a heavy stick in his right
hand and q 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 handed the
Vesse! to his companion with an en-
phatic nod, and shook his stick ut 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 q
~reSouudinE staVe. Almost With the first
words OF his song, Siani rushed up TO
him and began to speak eXcitedly. 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 q cry Of drunken fury he turned
short upon her and aimed a blow with
his fist. Slani was between them like
lightning and received the blow upon
her shoul6"". It's force was such. how
ever. IS to hurl her violently against
lEE mistress ana btlH went llG1l4tIi5
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 ruffian, now
swinging up his club to strike at the
arCstrate ard dotense!ess women.
The carblne was in my hand. but at
such close quarters ! dare not use shot.
| reversed It as l ran, gTippeG the bar
rel in ny right hand q few inches be-
low the trigger and dashed the stock
into the face OF my foe.
The crashing blow took him sQuarely
across the jaw and cheek, and dow
he went. the blood spouting from nose
and mouth and ears. ! turned upon
the second follow, who was just rails
ing his sword In slow, tipsy fashion.
Him struck a butting blow which took
him in the chest and sent him spinning
down stair after stair till he cached
the flags of the hall. Turning, I found
Siani already on her feet and half lift
ing her mistress.
l flung away the carhine, sprang for
ward. took the dear burden from hey,
and hurried to my lair as a shouting.
furious crowd spraDg O II u from be
low. I made two steps along the upper
gallery, laid Enid down in the shelter
Of the wall, and jumped back to hold
the stair head. Siani had followed at
my heels and ran to her mistress.
4 noisy mob was gathered in the gal
lery about the fallen man. several reel
ing on their "eet, all shouting one
thing or Onoths at the top of their
voices, wranglLpk. yelling, shaking fists
toward the darkness that hid me, full
Of the rage CT drink, yet non daring
to set foot toward my hold. Ny anger
was such that l would have slain the
whole batch OF rogues at a blow had it
lain in my power. l poured into the
crowd every shot I could muster. the
swan shot and the bullets from the
second pistol.
They howIed in alright at this sud
den shower Of lead II ran to cover.
TWO or three grooming disma!y, as If
the bullets had found their billet, a
ching likely enough at SO short a
range, and the place was clear again.
How is she, Siaul?" I whispered anx-
iously.
She is quite we'll" answered the
sweetest voice in the world. Il was
only g!ddy for the moment. Have they
hurt You at al?"
Not a scratch" said I; u have had
The most wonderful fortune"
And our head@" she asked.
1T sJnarts a little" I replied. moth
ing more"
WAS not an attempt made q while
back to do something?" asked Enid.
l laughed. and told the story of the
two handfuls Of swan shot.
Il was sure Of It." she said. "I was
IN the kitchen giving some orders 10
the womer there, and Slant was with
me, when the door was suddenly
slammed to and held against US. I felt
sure Il was to prevent M warming be-
ing given 10 you OF I'm plan. but
Stani screamed as loudly as she could.
and took off her shoe and beat the
door with the heel"
Il heard 1t plainly" I replied; "plaln-
ly. There was q distinct sound Of warn
Ing IN 1t, too. though had already
seen them ard was prepared"
! think It Mas that" Went on Enid.
(which made the strangers angry with
US"
An It Is all my fault" said I.
oh. no, no." she cried. 1T IS I who
should beg your forgiveness for leading
you into all this"
And pray" said l. what would my
case be at this m II you had not
eXerted you influence TO save me? Had
you left me on the hillside I should
have been shot or stabbed within a
mlnutf OF your back being turned.
httcsock could not fend OF bullets,
and l : been an instant target but
for our goodness to me-"
She drew g long breath and there
was silence for 6 few moments. She
stood up and stepped forward.
Surely said |. you do not think Of
going dow again"
y ought TO do So" she began, then
stopped.
Very good" I returned; IT you wish
It l will come With you, and see tina
you are unmolested as far as l can
compass it"
oh no." she said hurriedly. "Oh. no,
no you must not do so. You must not
leave this Cur post"
And I am TO sit here. then, in COM
parative security, and picture you
somewhere below. exposed TO the In
suits OF drunken r~uffians?"
You could escape" sale she: Il am
sure o could escape. There is no
watch posted about the house; all are
indoors, engaged TOO much in their
drink and Quarreling to give any atten-
ton TO what goes on without"
"Ay." l returned, escape easily
enough at present. l believe. 1t would
be simple to slip down from a window
L whistle to Whitescck. who, thanks
again 10 you, is wandering somewhere