The Washington times., 1904-08-07
CHAPTER VI.
Knife to Knife.


7 had my hand on my revolver. but
did not draw. There was enough OF the
bravo among the fellows not 10 tear
meeting me single handed, ana each
one was ready enough TO make the
Quarrel his own. But for all that they
threatened TO fall upon me all together
The keeper of the house saw how
things stood. and was no doubt 1alr-
minded enough for one of his class,
willing that a man should be killed IN
a fair fight, but not murdered without
first being given a chance for his lie.
No doubt thinking that one of the bull
lies could deal with me single-handed,
he now decreed that the affair should
be settled between two of US
The fellow who accused me OF cheat
ing was willing enough TO agree to
this. and insisted that his companions
stand back.
Il viii show you that a man cannot
tell me 10 my face that I le,' he Kissed
You first accused me Of cheating,
I replied coolly.
You know that you are cheat. You
came here TO beat US" he replied.
He was fairly furious. clutching at his
knife. and pushing the other men back.
Leave the American to met he cried.
~ Will do with him, I will do with him.'
They fell back. though I could see that
they We're anxious enough TO have
hand IN the affair. The floor was
cleared, leaving an open space in the
center of the room. 1t had all occurred
so suddenly. and preparations were
made 50 quickly that il seemed nike
some prearranged plan.
There was no escape for me. The
Mexican was glazing al me. waiting Tor
an opportunity, as il seemed, 10 spring
at my throat Realizing how unjustly !
had been accused, suddenly l seemed TO
be seized with a paroXysm of anger.
Now I cried. Come ION, you cow
ard, you lying knave."
Ny words maddened him. Nor did /
care much. He sprang at me like
wild animal, but l Warded of the blow
which he drove at men, hurting him
from me.
Come on, come on what are you
waiting for?' l cried again.
But / had not long 10 wait. He was
upon me again in a trice, but 1 caught
his arm and would have bent him 10 the
floor had il not been that ! feared a
knife thrust from one of his associates.
We merely shuffied over the floor. and
he broke away.
I had pitted my strength against his,
and knew that was the stronger l
was cool. as I have always been when
in immediate danger. but it was differ
ent with my opponent, who took the
offensive, attacking me with a madness
which rendered him incapable Of max
ing use Of any advantage he might be
able to obtain over me
was armed with a short knife, as
also was the Mexican, but Of its use in
a hand to hand encounter 1 knew little
Had we been armed with swords l
would have felt more confident OF sue
cess.
Though the sword IS not a weapon
that comes into very active service at
this day, when firearms make potent
lighter. Of any weakened fellow, yet
I had been drilled in its use when at
the military academy, and had after
ward kept up the practice TO certain
extent
Whether or not could now bring my
knowledge Of the use OF the small sword
into active service TO assist me IN a
ight with knives. I had not been at all
. certain. At least I knew something OF
how TO keep my guard, and was cool
and calculating.
The proprietor of the place had closed
and locked the door behind him. My
chance Of getting out Of the place alive
was indeed very small. But come the
worst, I would not die a coward
Quick as a fash. again my adversary
sprang at me. was prepared for him,
and this time met him half way across
the floor.
90 e-HTu- leo me IL
himself had been surprised IN finding
me so ready 70 meet him. He slashed
a little wildly. as I thought. and, then
drew baRx, having barely touched my
clothes.
saw that the fellow expected to take
me Of nv guard He was cunning. but
he had none OF the adroitness Of skill
ful fencer. neither was he cool and cal
culating. though he was not lacking in
nerve and courage. His mode Of fight
ing was TO dart at me suddenly. and
then cut and slash at close quarters.
depending upon a sudden aud audacious
attack 10 gain an advantage over me.
1 avoided his knife by quick sidewise
movements, and then met him with my
own point. so he could not close. By
taking the defensive I found that 1
was able 10 avoid or parry his thrusts. !
also had the advantage OF him in reach
Of arms Had we been provided with
swords / would have had him at my
mercy from the first
lie now tried TO strike down my knife
but we only crossed blades. our knives
resping together. Again and again he
came al me swiftly. but ! pricked him
two or three times, which caused him
70 be more cautious.
He made a feint 10 strike below my
belt. but / saw what he was trying to
do and prevented him from closing. but
ne brought hts knife around IN such a
way as 70 give me a savage cut on
my left arm. Ny buckskin Jacket saved
me from being severely wounded, but ]
felt the warm blood triclle down my
sleeve.
Again he rushed al me. but l had no
relish for having my throat cut, and
kept him of. pricl<ing him on the shout
der. It was a trihing Injury. but il