The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1907-09-27

had furnished him and sent his mer
out as skirmishers Tho loss of the
detective ha6 undoubtedly staggered
the caretaker, and we were slowly re
treating toward the house, Larry with
one hand on the collar of his pris
oner and the other grasping the re.
volver. with which he poked the man
frequently in the ribs. We slowly
continued our retreat. fearing a rush,
which would have disposed OF us cas-.
lily enough II Morgan's company had
shown any fighting spirit. StOddard's s
presence rather amazed and intimi.
dated them, | think. and | saw that
the invaders kept away from his end
of the line. We were now far apart,
stumbling over the snow.covered
earth and calling to one another now
and then that we might not become
too widely separated. Davidson did
not relish his capture by the man he
II t~.GS"eu a.. .ss the Occlh, aDla
he attempted once to roar command
TO Morgan.
Try 1t again. ] heard Larry ad.
monish him, try that once more, and
The Sod, God bless it. will never feel
the delicate imprint OF your webfeet
again"
He turned the man about and
rushed him toward the house, the re-
volver still serving as prod. His
flight gave heart to the wary invaders
Immediately behind him and two fell
lows, urged and led by Morgan,
charged our line at a smart pace.
Bolt for the front door" l called
to Larry. and Stoddard and closed
in after him to guard his retreat.
They're not shooting" called S,od-
dard. You may be sure they've had
their orders to capture the house with
az little row as possible"
We we're now nearing the edge OF
the wood. with the open meadow and
water tower at our backs. while Larry
was making good time toward tn:
house.
Let's not walt for them here"
shouted Stoddard.
Morgan was advancing with club
In his hand, making directly for me.
tive men at his heels. aud the rest
veering of toward the wall o. 81.
Agatha's.
Watch the house." yelled to tho
chaplain; and then. on the edge of
the wood Morgan came at me furious
ly. swinging his club over his head.
and In moment we were fencing
away at merry rate. We both had
revolvers strapped to our waists. but
had no intention Of drawing mine
unless in extremity. At my right
Stoddard was busy keeping off Nor.
san's personal guard, who seemed re
luctant to close with the clergyman.
! have been, in my day, something
OF fencer, and my knowledge of the
foils stood me in good stead now.
With a tremendous thwack I knocked
Morgan's club flying over the snow.
and as we grappled, Bates yelled from
the house. quickly found that Nor.
gan's wounded arm was still tender.
He finched at the first grapple. and
his anger got the better OF his judg.
ment We kicked up tho snow at
great rate as we feinted and dragged
each other about. He caught hold OF
my belt with one hand and with
great wrench nearly dragged me from
my feet. but I pinioned his arms and
bent him backward. then, by a trick
Larry had taught me, flung him upon
his side.
Meanwhile Bates continued to call
Justify from the house.
Come on mt any cost" shouted
Stoddard. putting himself between me
ha -txr A,,,,
gan's aid.
"Shoot. you fools. shoot" howled
Morgan. and as we started across the
open meadow and ran toward the
house a shotgun roared back OF US and
buckshot snapped and ratified on tho
stone of the water tower.
There's the sheriff." called Stod.
dard behind me.
The Officer and his deputy ran into
the park from the gate Of st. Agatha's.
while the rest OF Morgan's party were
skirting the wall to Join them.
stop or III shoot" yelled Morgan.
and felt Stoddard pause in his ri.
gantic stride to throw himself between
me and the pursuers.
Sprint for It hot" he called very
coolly. as though he were coaching me
in . contest Of the most amiable sort
imaginable.
Get away from those guns" pant.
ed, angered by the very generosity OF
his defense.
"Feint for the front door and then
run for the terrace and the library
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