The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1903-11-13

IGWNAS NOAilAkt6 OlNdIkAAAlSA W oSdS
up my quarters and avenge their sliced
polls. Their. weapons testified to the
state of their wits. The one who was
haranguing carried agsl1ortfsword, the
other held a heavy stick in his right
hand and a great leathern jack in his
right. $3.50
Presently the Jack went up to his
a hearty draught: Then he handed The
vessel to his companion with an em-
phatic nod, n shook. his stick at me
in turn. While the ii with the sword
drank, the fellow with the club pres
serving an immoVable solemnity Of
face, began to strike Thunderous blows
upon the stout rail and to below a
words of his ong 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 a cry of drunken fury he turned
short upon her and aimed a blow with
his fist. Siani was between them like
lightning and received the blow upon
her shoulder. Its 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 of the heavy clumsy chairs
with which the gallery was furnished.
Choking with rage, I darted down the
stairs and flew upon the ruf1ien, now
swinging up his club to strike at the
PROSTATE and defenseless, women
The carbine was in my hand, but at
such close quarters I dare not use shot.
l reversed 1t 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 took him squarely
across the jaw and cheek, and down
and mouth n ears. / turned upon
the second fellow. 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 reached
the flags Of the hall. Turning, / found
sSiani already on her feet and half lift
ing her mistress.
I flung away the carbine, sprang for
ward, took the dear burden from her,
and hurried to my lair as a shouting,
furious crowd sprang on us from be
low. / 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 a to her mistress.
!. A noisy mob was gathered in the gall
49, ~ q gSNNCA OH = SCt-
ing on their feet, all shouting n
thing or another at the top of their
voices, wIangling, yelling, shaking fists
toward the darkness that hid me, full
of the rage of drink, yet none daring
to set foot toward my hold. Ny anger
was such that I 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 three grooming dismally, as if
the bullets a found their billet. a
thing likely enough at SO short a
range, and the place was clear again.
How is She. Siani?" 1 whispered anx-
iously.
she is quite we'll" answered the
sweetest voice in the world. IT was
only giddy for the moment. Have they
hurt you at alp"
Not a scratch" said I: 81 have had
the most wonderful fortune"
And your head?" she asked.
1t smarts a little" I replied. moth
ing more"
Was not IN attempt made a while
back to do something?' asked Enid.
] laughed, and told the story of the
two handfuls Of swan shot.
"I was sure of It," she said. II was
In the kitchen giving some orders to
the women there. and Siani was with
me, hen the. door was suddenly
slammed to and held against us. I felt
sure 1t was to prevent n warning be-
ing given to you Of some plan, but
Siani screamed as loudly as she could,
and took off her shoe and beat the
door with the heel"
IT heard it plainly" I replied: plain
ly. There was q distinct sound Of warn
ing in.it, too, though I had already
seen them and was prepared"
II think it was that" went on Enid,
which made the strangers angry with
And it is all my fault" said +.
".Oh, no., no." she cried, cit is I who
should beg your forgiveness for leading
o into all this"
And pray said /, what would my
case be at his moment If you had not
exerted your influence to save me? Had
you left me on the hillside I should
have been shot or stabbed within a
Whitesock could not fend off bullets,
and / had been an instant target but
for your goodness to me-"
She drew a long breath and there
was silence tor a few moments. She
stood up INC stepped forward.
surely, seid l. you do not think of
going down again."
II ought to do So" she began. then
stopped.
Very good" I returned; IF you wish.
1t 1 will come with you, and see that
you are unmolested as far as l can
compass It."
..oh. no. she said hurriedly. ooh, no,
no. Q must not do SO. You must not
leave this secure post"
And / am to sit here, then, in com
~parative security. N picture you
somewhere below, exposed to the in
suits of drunken %ruffians?"
You could escape said she; 1T 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." returned, escape easily
enough at present, 1 believe. 1t would
be simple to slip down from a window
and whistle to Whitesock, who. thanks
again to you, is wandering somewhere
at han on tn hillside"
And you will?" she whispered eager
ly.
And I will not I Whispered back;
what! jog off over the hills and leave
you here. uncertain what may happen