Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-11-04
CHAPTER VIII.
TIE PILOTS GRIP


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TIE pILoT's GRIP.
IT IHE situation was one of ex-
trcme danger-a mailman
( YzNS,SSI with n Winchester rifle.
t9s4sl Something must be done and
quickly. But what? 1t would be
death to any one appearing at the
door.
I'm speak. You keep your eyes on
him." said the Duke.
Hello, Bruce! What's the row."
shouted the Duke.
Instantly the singing stopped. A
look of cunning delight came oyer his
face as, without a word, lie got his rifle
ready pointed at the door.
Come in!'' lie yelled, after waiting
for some moments. Come in! You're.
the biggest of all the devils. Come on;
I'll send you down where you belong.
Come. what's keeping your"
Over the rifle barrel his eyes cleaned
with frenzicd delight. We consulted as
to a-plan.
II don't relish bullet MUCH" snid.
There are pleasanter things" re-
sponded the Duke, land he is fairly
good shot"
Meantime the Singing had started
again, and, looking through the chink,
saw that Bruce had got his eye on the
stovcpipe again. While was looking
the l,ilot slipped away from us to-
ward the door.
"Come back!' said the Duke. Don't
be IL fool! Come back; he'll shoot you
dead.' iii
Moore paid no heed to him, but stood
waitii,:;fat the door In n few moments
Bruce blazed away again at the stove
) pipe. Immediately the Pilot burst in.
calling out eagerly:
did you get himY'
mol" said Bruce disappointedly.
"He lodged like the devil, as of course
he ought, you know
'I'll get him." said Moore; "smoke
him out proceeding to open the stove
door.
.stop!" screamed Bruce. Don't
open that door! It's full, tell you"
Moore paused. Besides" went on
Bruce, "smokc won't touch EN-
"Oi:, that's all right" said Moore
coolly and with admirable quickness.
Wood smoke, you know; they can't
stand that
This was apparently new idea in
demonology for Bruce, for he sank
back, while Moore lighted the fire and
put on the teakettle. He looked
round for the tea caddy.
up there" said Bruce, forgetting for
the moment his devils and pointing to
q quaint, old fashioned tea caddy upon
the shelf
Moore took 1t down, turned it in his
: hands and looked ut Bruce.
"Old country, ehY
MY mothcrs," said Bruce soberly.
aunt's in Ballymena," said Moore.
"'My aunt lived in little stone cottage
with roses all over the front of it."
And on he went into nn enthusiastic
!. description of his carly home. Els
voice was full of music, soft and sooth-
ing, and poor Bruce sank back and lis
tened, the glitter fading from his eyes.
The Duke and looked at each other.
mot too bad, ehy" said the Duke
u lew luOlllcilt5 p1IGuCVs
Lets put up the horses" suggest
ed. "They won't want us for half an
hour"
When we came in, the room had been
set in order, the teakettle was singing,
the bedclothes were Strengthened out,
and Moore had just finished washing
the blood stains from Bruce's arms and
neck.
Just in time" he said. II didn't
like to tackle these" pointing to the
bandages.
All night long Moore soothed and
tended the sick man, now singing
softly to him and again beguiling him
with tales that meant nothing but
that had n strange power to quiet the
nervous restlessness due partly to the
pain OF the wounded arm and partly to
the nerve wrecking from his months Of
dissipation. The Duke seemed uncom-
Portable enough. He spoke to Bruce
once or twice. but the only answer was
groan or curse, with an increase of
restlessness.
Hell have close squeak" said the
Duke. The carelessness Of the tone
+ was little ovcrdone, but tho Pilot
.was stirred up by 1t.
HE has not been fortunate In his
friends" no said, hooking straight into
his eyes.
"A man ought to know himself when
the pace is too swift" said the Duke,
q little more quickly than was his
; wont
"you might have done anything
with him. Why didn't you help himf'
Mooro's tcnee were stern and very
steady, and he never moved his eyes
from the other mans face, but the only
reply he got was a shrug Of the Shout
ders.,
When tho gray of the morning was
coming In at the window the Duke
rose up, gave himself little shake and
said:
II am not of any service here. 1
shall come back in the evening"
He went and stood for few mo-
lnents looking down upon tho hot,
Severed face; then. turning to ME, he