The National tribune., 1903-11-26
CHAPTER XII.
A DEATH-STRUGGLE.


Tom Nolan's dive was a low saloon near
the river bank not far from the landing
at Collinsville. 1t was frequented by the
gamblers and toughs who hant the river
towns, and in common southwestern par
lance 'doggery." Tom Nolan was a
desperate. He was six feet in hight,
weight 200 and the hero of several des-
perate fights. He had only one eye, the
other having been gouged out in some
fight. and he had long scar on his cheek.
which had evidently been made with
knife stroke.
He was in his shrtsleeves, his brawny
arms bare to his elbows, and cigar in
his mouth.
There were six or eight desperadoes
gathered in the 'doggery,' all discussing
the two important topics Of the day-the
arrest of the negro. Black Sam, and the
young Revenue Officer, Frank Vernon.
Our old acquaintances, American
George Capt. Mark. Shorty, Dutch, and
Pat were present. The latter said:
Il don't care what the divil ye may say,
I behave it was Frank Vernon as put up
the nager to do the dirty job
why, Pat, you're off, said George;
'swby would the Revenue want the girls
throat cutT'
.'Divil a bit do know, any more than
ye can tell why he stays about Collins
ville.''
.'Py shemany Christmas. he vas hundin'
for dat moonshine STILL" began Dutch.
''Shut up Dutch, you don't know what
you're talking about
''Dond 1, Shorge? Veil, / heard him
say some tings like dot mineself, ven he
vas talkin' with some vellers on dot steam
boad vot vas at de landing"
Boys" said Shorty. suddenly starting
up. Il tell you, we will have to keep an
eye on that spying rascal. He's gittin' too
harn II nm,
hour ago.
"Where?" asked George.
+! Coming along the river bank. If he's
lirin' niggers to assassinate people, the
sooner he's lynched and thrown into the
. river the better" At this moment John
Redgrave came in, and Shorty appealed
to him, '1What do you say about it, JOhn?'
About what?" John asked, staggering
up TO the bar and calling for glass of
.'sure DEATH
why, this Revenue, this Frank Yer
non, whose been tryin to hire people as
sassinated."
Hang Vernon, / say
With a glass of whisky in his hand, |
John turned on the crowd.
Were law-abiding citizens; it's a duty |
We owe to society to see that this fellow
is cared for
Don't let him have too much rope"
put in George.
..No; just enough to hang himself" con-
tinued John. ''As an honest American
Frank Vernon"
Have you seen Sam? Capt. Mark
asked in Il low tone"
s'You bet"'
"Will he peach"
NO; We've got the best legal talent in
the country"
Mark turned and walked away short
Ill fvny, oh In aff 1roiv
his glass; turned upon some of the men
who stood near, and said in command
ing tone:
I'm a law-abiding citizen. and when l
see such fellows as Frank Vernon going
round scot free, l feel as if l could string
him up myself
I'VE all know you, john" cried George.
We'll, amt law-abidin' citizen?"
"Of course you sce."
Just then the door opened and a /
stranger entered. He was a go0d-looking,
slightly-built fellow, rather cOnspicuously
dressed, and paused on the threshold of
the saloon to affix a pair of gold-bowed
eyeglasses upon his nose, then calmly sur
veyed the roughly-clad throng in the apart
ment.
'Ah. good evening, gentlemen. Is the
proprietor of this establishment in?" and
the new conner advanced to the bar.
"Ah, have you the nectar of the gods?"
he asked.
Dun know what that is''
Kentucky whisky fresh from the corn;
whisky not two days old. whisky, that
the copper taste is not out, of"
I've lots o kinds o whisky, Nolan
answered. Got it new and Old
Il want it fresh, new: deucedly new"
I've got it not two days old
"Ah, indeed-are you sure?'
'.No mistake about it. The man l got
1t of told me he had just made it,
Say, Green Persimmons. what We want !
with new whisky asked George curious
ly, who had never before heard of such ,
request. "Old whisky is better" f,
All, indeed; but | want il new l want
TO taste it fresh from the still. Come up, ,
my friends; come all, | will stand treat, (.
you know"
The illicit distilers crowded about the
bar, talking and drinking. the new conner
treated three or four times and gradually
got into the good graces of the men. As l.,
they drank and smoked they freely dis ,
cussed with him the merits of different !
kinds of liquors, and told how they were !
made, for his edification.
The door opened again and this time it !
was Frenchy. His keen black eyes swept i.
the new conner from head to foot, then :
suddenly he cried out:
Fools, stop your clatter; it's the +,
Revenue and rushing at him he struck !,
uini WIN ust. kUOtheu the WulLe plug l.
hat from his head. and his fair curly wig !.
and side whskers went with it.
Frank Vermont roared John Red !,
grave. =
Frank Vernon. by all that's high and :
mighty" shouted American George. Ii
Betrayed Il
That's it! Don't let him get out of
here alive"
Vernon, though his disguise was diseov-
cred, did not for a moment lose his pres
ence of mind. Whipping out a revolver :
with one hand and bowie knife with the
other, he was ready for business, and il
was there to meet him. ,
Some one fired at Frank and the bull
let grazed his cheek. He returned the shot ,
and wounded Dutch in the shoulder. As
be did so he sprang toward the door.
knocked George down, and hurled John ,
Redgraya aside. Three or four shots were .
fred at him, but he gained the open air
unhurt The moment he reached the !
ground a man leaped at him from the ;
door, and then ensued frantic struggle |
In the darkness those in the door of the :
groggery could not determine which was ,
getting the better OF the conflict There
was gleam Of steel, tie clang OF meeting !
blades fell ON the ears of the spectators /.
In the doorway. At last one of the COM ,
batants utter a groan and fell, and the 9th !
Ir disappeared in the darkness ,
CHAPTER XIII. |.
THE WEDDING.