Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1904-11-04


the fork caught the cock fair il
the throat, forcing the 1.-THE neck
back.
One of the big. bony legs dew up
and came down in Il stroke to,
quick for the eye to follow, but the
cruel toe-nail cut nothing but the
air, and Saladin, chOked by the
pressure of the fork, wheeled and
ran off toward the nest.
Work back toward the fence
keep facing him." said Scoville.
Get up and help mer cried the
ICherub, sharply.
Can't. He's bust my ribsp
whined the oyerseer. Besides, /
haven't stick"
He lifted himself little and
began seuttling retreat toward
the fence. Saladin uttered an
other of his deep roars and swept
down upon them. He paid no at.
tention to Scoyille, but hurled
himself at the Cherub. So swift
was the charge that the boy was
not able to take proper aim with
his slender weapon.
I He felt that he was going to
miss, and sprang aside just in time
10 avoid the ferocious downward
blow. The cocks shoulder struck
him and bowled him over. AS he
struck the sand he hattened in like
q hiding quail.
The big, horny, hOof-like feet
thudded turiOusly close to his
head SalAdin was in an ecstasy
If anger. He could not kick the
Cherub so long as the latter lay
upon the ground, but he could
stamp upon him.
Fortunately for the Cherub, the
wits of the great bird were not
equal to his strength. After vi.
,iOus stamp or so, he came to the
erroneous conclusion thathe cOnld
finish his victim sooner by rolling
on him.
Down he dropped on his knees.
and threw his heavy weight on
Nhcrub's back. almost crushing in
the boys ribs. The keen toe-nail
N one Of the kicking feet struck
him in the leg, and slit cloth and
skin as il with a knife.
In his rolling, Saladin's neck
whipped from one side to the 9th
err over Cherub's head. Choosing
the moment when the cock had
rolled nearly clear of him, the
Chcrub concentrated all his power
in an upward heaye that threw the
bird from his back. Then with one
hand he made Il quick clutch at the
extended neck.
AS his fingers closed ON the
coarse, naked skin. he brought his
other hand into play, and
strengthened his hold. The long
neck writhed like snake, and
Saladin dashed out with his feet
and beat his wings on the ground
in 4 violent effort 10 free himself
The Cherub chung like bull
dog. his face and eyes stung with
flying sand and his muscles ach-
ing under the strain.
Presently the birds struggles
lessened. The outstretched wings
huttered more and more feebly;
the head sank, and a grayish mem
brane clouded the big eyes. At
last the head Eel, Imply on the
sand.
you've given him his dose,
Masters. Don't kill him" shout
ed the Overscer from the safe side
Of the fence.
The Cherub warily loOsened
his stiffened fingers; hui Saladin
lay m0tiOnless, humbIpd in the
dust.
The boy tOttered to the fence,
breathing hard.
Hurt any," asked Sc0vilIe.
Don't think so. Pm tuckered
out, though" and the Cherub
smiled his old bOyish smile.
III reckon he's bust rib for
me-" said Scoville, pointing to a
cash in his flannel shirt, the edges
of which were red.
There was an awkward pause.
The Oyerseer looked away and be.
gan to scratch his bristly beard.
Then he turned and looked full
at the Cherub.