Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-04-06
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XNI.
Lavarick crouched, ready for the
spring. read determination in Jordan's
face, and dared not touch his revolver.
Now go," said Jordan, sternly.
Turn and go without looking round.
I shall cover you while you are in
range, and fire the instant you turn"
Right" said Lavarick, his lips
working. you have beat me this
| time, Sir Jordan-you've got that will!
You watched me and stole behind me
and got it out Of the tree! I'm beat.
this time; but he ground his teeth
-IH be even with you, if l swing
for it,"
Got said Jordan, with an exas-
perating laugh. Il give you two hours
to escape. At the end Of that time l
shall give information to the police"
He had gone a step too far. With
a howl of fury-a howl that remind
| ed Neville of the wolves he had heard
prowling hungrily round the camp
Lavarick made a dash for him.
At that moment, as Neville leaned
eycitedly forward to witness the con-
clusion of the contest, and to join in
It If necessary, the candle was eXtin-
guished, and the scene was plunged
into instant darkness.
He heard the sharp snap of the re-
voiveT. and saw the flash which for a
moment lit up the darkness; heard a
snarling grow!, as If Of pain and rage.
and then being unable to hold himself
in leash any longer, he leaped to the
ground, and. colliding against a figure,
seized it in his strong grip.
Whichever man it was turned upon
him with a furious energy, and Neville
death. He set his teeth hard and
locked the man with one arm while he
felt for his throat with the other.
But his opponent seemed to under
stand his object, and gripping him
tightly, bore al his weight Upon him.
and So they wrestfed TO and fro, linked
in a hideous embrace.
To and fro they swayed, the grip
Of each growing more intense, more
intolerable each moment. At last,
just when Neville, with an awful
sense of disappointment and baked
vengeance, was feeling faint. he man
aged to get his leg under his oppon-
ent's, and with a crash the latter
came to the ground, Neville falling on
top and still gripping him.
.sYou-scoundrel!" lie painted. eat
last! Move an inch, and I'll kill you
where you lie!" and his hands tight
ened upon the PROSTATE mans throat.
Then-eh. irony Of Fate!-came a
choking voice in response gurgling
out:
"Mr.-Mr. Neville! Is it you? Don't
you know me-Trale!"
Neville staggered back, with a cry
of establishment and incredulity. 1t
was too dark to see the face of the
man he had been wrestling with, but
there could be no mistaking his voice.
How on earth had Layarick become
exchanged for the inspector?
"Give me your hand, please, Mr..
| Neville" grasped Trale. you've
pretty nearly done for me, SIR and,
assisted by Neville, he struggled
stifly to his feet; and after a moment
or two spent in rubbing his aching
sides, struck a light.
TT is Mr.. Neviile!" exclaimed Trale,
as IL he could scarcely yet realize the
fact. How did you come here.
and-where's the GAMBLER" he broke
of.
He CROPPED about and found what re-
NAMED OF the candle, and raised ii
above his head, looking around like a
man in a dream. Neville leaned
against a tree, painting and cycling
Trale with palpable disgust.
They're gone. Clean gone.!" ex-
claimed Trale.
.Gone- painted Neville, '.of course
they have. What-what on earth We're
YOU doing here? And how did YOU
come to mistake me-
..Come to that, sir. how did you mis-
take meg'
How could 1 do otherwise" said
Neville. You weren't here when the
candle went out"
..Oh, yes, l was, sir said Trale
I've been here for the last quarrel
of an hour or twenty minutes
..Whatr' calculated Neville.
.Faet, Nj. Neville. said Trale. feel
ing his throat and chatting his numbet
arms. Il was coming back here from
the station. when l caught sight of {
stranger making his way down thu
lane-an elderly man with a beard
There was something about him
can't tell you what-that I di0nr IKE
and I thought I'd just see where HI
was going"
You heard
.Ererything," aid Traie. grimly
II was | that put ont that candle"
Il seet' said Neville. Il wish yo'
had known that I was here. Togethe
we should have managed to captur'
him. Now he has got on with tn
notes.
Traie shoe. his head, and puttini
hfs hand in his pocket drew css
creased end crumpEed bundle OF Pc
peg, aai heiI II y