The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-11-02
"The flask belongs to Mr.. Ranney," |"


Jack. His shootin' war all accidental.
He only happened to hit whar he did.
But then, he can have the flask II he
can git IL, or you either"
Tarbox bit his lip, and looked to the
other members Of the party, undecided
how to act Seeing his irresolution.
Ranney stepped forward and said,-
Don't trouble yourself. Mr.. Tarbox.
The flask is mine, and ! will see to
| getting IT,"
"You WILL eh7" snarled the bully.
"Git away from me-out of arms
reach--or I'll smash you like a roast
| tater!"
Thus speaking, the giant swung his
fists about, but the young man did
not move. Instead he received blow
upon the head which knocked away his
hat, and seemed to change his whole
| nature to that of young lion. With
a strength and agility wholly unlocked
for. he dealt the giant a fearful blow
full upon the nose, which threw him to
the ground, and deluged the uncome.
| ~ face and beard with torrents of
blood There was n momentary strug-
gle upon the ground after the bully fell,
and then Stephen stepped back pace
or two
In moment the rufIian was upon his
feet again, and with a fearful curse he
placed his hand whore he expected TO
find revolver. But 1t was gone.
Then he sought for his knife, but that,
too, was missing. The young man had
taken the precaution Of removing
them, so that now they stood upon
equal ground. But what a contrast!
Nine inches In height the bully lowered
above his antagonist, while in actual
weight he was nearly twice his equal.
There was no parley nor hesitation.
Finding himself weaponless, Jack
rushed for the young man, and would
have crushed him in a deadly grasp;
but the young man did not wait for the
process. A quick, fierce blow, falling
lust where the other had fallen, stag
gered the rascal. and before he could
see what had become of the man he
supposed already in his grasp, a tre-
mendous crack in the ear brought him
again to the ground. Again he scram-
bled to his feet, and again he was
knocked down, by a single reverberat-
ing blow. The fourth time he arose
but before he could wipe the blood
from his eyes sufficiently to distinguish
his antagonist, the hard earth again
became his bed
This time he did not rise Immediate
ly 1t was patent to every one before
this stage OF the encounter that he was
over.matched for once, and at last
that fact seemed to become clear to
his own mind. Drawing the flask from
his pocket, he cast it upon the grouA,
muttering savagely,-
There's yer old flask! Take 1t, II
yer want it so bad!"
Stephen stepped to the spot where
the coveted prize lay and picked 1t up,
placing it beside his rife. Then turn
ing again to the discounted bully
who had now risen to his feet, he thus
addressed him.
Jack Dunlaw, am not done with
you yet A few days ago you brutally
insulted Cora Russell. l could have
shot you dead, and | should have done
it if l had not pitied you. Now you can
take your choice-go, and on your
knees ask pardon, and then quit this
place forever, or die where you stand!
This quarrel is not Of my seeking, and
now you have begun 1t, take your
choice. | give you three minutes to de
eide"
A half dozen watches we're produced
and the attention of our party was di
vided between their slowly moving
hands and the excited group before us
At first II seemed as though Jack de
sired to renew the fight. He looked
around upon those who had been his
confederates, but their sympathy hao
gone. and 1t was apparent that Stepher
Ranney had in a moment become the
hero of the occasion. Jacks eyes, too
were nearly closed from the energetic
blows he had received, and his courage
il any he had ever possessed, seemed
, to have gone entirely.
A nod, a watch closed and returned
to the pocket of its owner, announced
the expiration of the time Not
change of muscle or expression passed
over Stephens features as he remark
3D.
THE time is up, Jack Dunlaw; viii
you live or die?"
Jack looked around once more ant
plainly asked
,, What do you say, boys?"
DO as he tells yer" replied one whit
had been Jacks most devoted support
er in times past
The last hope seemed to leave tn
,, contemplate giant. In voice veal
, and wavering, he said,-
"Ill leave; that orter satisfy ye,'
"You will do what | said, Or
The sentence remained unspoken
Jack Dunlaw bowed his head, AM
, walked meekly away to make the re
!, qulred apology. l did not foliQ"
though many did. Five minutes late
| saw him, the blood washed from nj
|, face, walking slowly away into IN
: forest. We did not see him again, no
!, did he return to that station to m