The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-24
CONTINUED from Last Sundays News)
CHAPTER XIV.
THE FEDERAL UNION; 1T MUST
BE PRESERVED.

THE FEDERAL UNION; 1T MUST
BE PRESERVED.
Doubtless. since my very palms itch
ed to be about that employment, I
would have had my hands on others Of
the rogue crew, but was granted no
chance. Rivera poured himself against
the scoundrels like a torrent. Quick,
oatlike, springing in and out, he smote
union two of them as with a poleaxe
and they went to the grass like folk
of wood. The sound of the blows
came to my ears as clearly as the click
of balls in a billiard game Beholding
the thunderbolt work of Rivera, the
others, losing courage, and with con-
cert of curses and growing cries, turn
ed tail and ran.
There was one. however, Of those who
were yet upon their ignoble feet, to
save himself this disgrace. When the
rest ran off crying among the trees,
this man would tarry; he was that
wide shouldered fighting man who was
thought to match Rivera. For reasons
of his own, and perhaps they We're in
a rude sort chivalric and to his credit
this fellow had not rushed upon us
with the others, but stood at some dis
lance looking on, arms folded across
his chest. Now, when all were down
or vanished in the dark, he, with arms
still folded, came slowly towards Ri
vera.
"Volks tells me. lad" said the fight
ing man as. arms still at peace. he
paused within a few yards of Rivera,
who would be cOolly waiting for him,
''volks tells me as 'ow you be summat
of a boxer; and vor a certainty, you
does make beef of them coyes in a
vorkmanlike vay-you does, upon my
davy. But now, dye see, you set
ties with meme, Jim Burns of Wife
chapel"
"Assuredlyw returned Rivera. and
his deep tones, like the roll of an or
gan, would carry the impression of one
in wondrous good humor, Il shall be
most pleased to settle with you. See.
you may take your time; there is no
hurry"
The other, who seemed to have faith
in the leisurely mood Of Rivera, softly
dotted coast and waistcoat. and stood
in his shirt of gray cloth, trousers and
shoes. Rivera similarly prepared him
self; he would meet his enemy in the
same light costume.
Best TO turn up your trowsers. lad"
advised the lighting man, "as 1 does.
They may Under your veet, else, in
steppin'."
wrought, the fighting mans thought
would double a new corner.
And yet" he remarked, complain
ingly, watts the blomin' use? 'Ere's
them coves all run away"-pointing TO
the last of the trio whom Rivera had
beaten down, as that unworthy stag
gered 10 his feet and lurched off into
the darkness-'an' no purse, nor moth
ink to wight for. l sees no use, lad,
in our putin hup our 'ands." This
last in a grieved tone.
But you must fight" demonstrated
Rivera. in a sharp, eager fashion. You
came TO this town TO beat me. VIII
YOU now let yourself be stopped and
never a blow? Are you afraid?''
Me. afeered?" retorted the fighting
man, fiercely, his little eyes like sparks.
why. lad! tn cove doant stan in
leather as I'm afeerd on. Me, a four
teen stoner leery2 An of only one?
Well. l likes that" The disgust of
the fighting man was unmistakable.
1t was a queer position. this waiting
TO be spectator of fist duel between
these game-some ones, but 1 did not
feel free to leave until the thing
should end. When the fighting man,
arms crossed, came pacifically up, I
would have been for going forward to
lay hold on him, but Rivera, with a
manner like prayer and as he who
seeks a favor for his soul, besought me
10 withstay my hand.
Don't" pleaded Rivera, but never
taking his gaze from the man, don't;
he is mine"
With that, giving over whatever of
right I have have owned to the fellow,
I went TO Peg where she stood on a
little knoll among the deeper shadows
of the woods.
Il should take you TO safety at
once" said ]. in explanation of my
lettering lack of expedition. but 1
would see Rivera through this"
Il do not want to GO" replied Peg,
gazing the while as with a kind of
fascination.
Pegs face wore a flush of excite
ment; this I could tell even in the
shadows. and her words had a great
ring of interest. l did not remark on
the strangeness of it. nor frame a re-
Duke for that she should love to look
on while gladiators fought. I, my
self for 1 confess to a mighty lust
of strife-was hot to see what might
follow, and il came to me as quite the
thing that Peg should share my feel
ing. 1t was the savage in her blood,
as the General would have said; but.
a trife strung OF the fracas and with
the wolf in me at full stretch, felt no
amazement. but only sympathy for
sentiment
AS Peg and 1 stood considering the
others in their words and motions. Ri
vera pointed TO level, gladly spot
where no trees grew and the moon
light came down in a white flood.
THAT should be a fine place." said
Rivera to the fighting man, for us to
try each other"
1T does look a tidy bit of grass"
assented the fighting man.
AS the two walked forward to this
turfy spot Of fairness IT brought them
nearer to Peg and myself, and squarely
under our eyes. 1t was as though they
set a stage, and would produce their
drama of blows for us and in such
wise that we should not lose the lease
of it.
AS the pair moved to the selected
place, that moaning one whose arm
I had broken, and who, when the
rest had fed, stlll lay in fit of
fainting, so far recovered as to sit
weakly up But he could not yet walk.
being shaken and dizzy mayhap, and
so he, too. would be a locker on, al
belt ! do not think he wss to see much.
being taken with his own woes and
groaning over them.
''W't a come-down is this!" exclaim-