The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-01-07
"Geoffrey Heathcote, Esq"
By JOHN FINNIhoRE. (copyright 1899. by s. s. Mcclure Coz
CHAPTER xxxv.-continued.

ness behind us. Ieuan uttered q short,
quick command in their own tongue,
and the dwarf shuff1ed off to silence
the landlord and keep him from admit
ting enemies.
who was that who spoke outsider"
asked Ieuan.
"Sir John Postgate." I replied.
who ISIS he?"
"a magistrate"
"a magistrate!" repeated Ieuan.
And ISIS it certain he has come to fetch.
your"
81 think it very likely said i.
Well rejoined Ieuan. "it nay be.
it will be best to keep him outside
for the good of everybody"
1t was scarcely possible that Sir
John Postgate could have information
which would Justify him in OBTAINING
my companions, but it was clear that
Ieuan meant to run no risks, and, the
truth is, that magistrates were no
more to his fancy than, at present, to
mine.
IF we keep a strong door between
us" said Iauan, there ISIS a chance to
think of a plan. but If they get in and
begin to strike and shoot, o cannot
see your way at ALL"
Twice or thrice the loud command
to open was repeated, amid a rain of
blows from musket-butts, n we re-
turned toward the door that was being
assailed. Suddenly q stream of light
poured on us from behind. We turned
and saw the back door wide open, and
a tiny, childish figure standing on the
threshold. One of the children of the
house had evaded Dafydd and drawn
the bolt. Ieuan ave a great cry and
ran. The child started and sprang out
Of the house, and before Ieuan Gwyllt
reached the door the torch-bearers
leaped in and blocked the way. The
passage was wide, and both pushed
upon him at once as his sword flew
out to meet them.
l had no Weapon, nothing but my
bare hands, and / fumed and ragged as
I peered over Ieuan's shoulder and saw
the doorway fill with a crowd of fierce,
hostile faces, the whole company run
ming to the scene Of action.
The torches We're eagerly snatched
from the hands of the leading men by
their companions, leaving them free to
handle the Red Men of the Dusk. To
handle Ieuan! He fought easily, with
out hurry or characterization. Their
blades darted at him from either side,
and he parted every thrust, checked
every cut, then, when his chance came,
drove three inches of the point into
iron wrist laid open the cheek of an
other. Just as he delivered these
strokes, l saw a musket barrel thrust
between the swordsmen and pushed
upon Ieuan's body.
l dropped on n knee behind him,
and watched the marksman. Tie was
crouched close behind his friends, and
before the trigger came within easy
reach the round black circle of the
muzzle was within arms length. I shot
out my hand as l saw the musketeer
drop his oward the lock, and wrenched
the wepon aside. AS I did SO the piece
was discharged, but the bullet flew
clear under my arm. I tugged at the
weapon with all my might, and, thanks
to the surprise, plucked it clean out of
my enemy's grasp. I gave a shout OF
JOY and leaped to my feet and sprang
abreast of Ieuan, clubbing the pom
dereus firelock. The first fellow upon
whom T laid 1t wore, luckily for him.
a stout steel car, but he dropped like
a stone, and knocked over another
against whom he was dashed.
Suddenly I became aware Of Jack
Postgate. I saw him over the heads OF
his followers, for he was bringing up
the rear. He had raised himself above
them, and, I fancy, was standing on a
horse block just at the door, the upper
part of his body leaning in, while he
looked over the fight and shouted COM
mands and encouragement. With q
~ atttA - ~
pistol at me and took malicious aim. ]
bounded furiousIy at the people before
me, striking fierce, butting blows with
the iron musket heel, and thinking how
long a time it was. before Jack fired,
and perhaps L should reach him yet
when his pistol cracked. I drew a long
breath when I found my brains still
safe inside my skull, yet knew the bull
let had cut me somewhere, for I felt
blood trickling warm into my neck.
I saw a second pistol in Jacks hand
but he had 40 chance to use 1t. His fol
lowers-stout men Of their hands as
they were-had had their fill, and they
turned and swept through the door
driving him from his perch, and drag
ging their wounded with them. Ieuar
leaped after them, swung the door to
and shot the bolt home. Just in time.
Several pistol balls ratified against
the planks. Had it not been for Ieuan's
quickness they would nave raked the
passage.
sWen." said Ieuan, smiling. thai
wass a little fight now. Indeed, the,
are good n to fight"
Even though they ran away
said T.
"Never mipd for that" returned
Ieuan; every man ISIS running away
when ne has had enough. I have beer
doing 1t plenty Of times. Who Isl
this"
A link had been dropped in The
struggle and lay burning freely as 1t.
end projected over a hollow in the un.
even, tagged floor. Ieuan picked 1t III
and rolled over a heap lying near 1t
1t was one Of the foe left behind In thu
retreat, the fellow OF the steelcap wht
had gone down under the musket butt
He had only been stunned, and now hi
eyes opened and he blinked feebly a
the light. Ieuan laid his sword poin
/ at the mans throat.
Quartet" groaned the poor wretch
Hear him now" said Ieuan, wag
/ ging his head at me. Quarter, he says
Just as liz the old days at the wars"
Yes" I urged.i.gipe him quarter"
"Oh,n said Ieuan, che belongs to you
You knocked him down"
Quarter be 1t, then said ], with al
my heart. Something glitterini
caught my eye and I stopped an,
y picked Ut up.
Good Inckts / cried. "a swordI
I Ewordi!s, 8
~" said Ieuan,Sas + made th
long tuck whistle round my head; "a
will b good for them to keep
from us nv YHou eafnot use q sWor.
as well aa me. but j have nptsSknow:
8knyOIe#asse better the TWO d