The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-09-05

CHAPTER KxliI.-contlnued

CHRF En ANiifs-Contlnueo.
TRY il again" ] heard Larry ad.
monlsh him. try that once more, and
The sod. God bless e! viii never feel
the delicate imprint Of your web-feet
again"
He turned the man about and
rushed him toward the house, the re
yolver still serving as a prod. His
slight gave heart to the wary invaders
immediately behind him and two Eel
iows. urged and led by Morgan
charsed our line at a smart pace.
"Bolt for the front door" I called
to Larry. and Stoddard and ! closed
IN after him to guard his retreat.
They're not shooting, called Stod-
dard You may be sure they've had
their orders to capture the house with
as little row as possible
We were now nearing the edge OF
tie wood. with the open meadow and
water tower at our backs, while Larry
vas making good time toward the
house.
Lets not wait for them here"
shouted stoddard
Morgan was advancing with a club
in his hand. making directly for me.
tHe men at his heels. and the rest
veering OF toward the wall Of St
Agatha's.
Watch the house" / yelled to the
chaplain. and then. on the edge Of
the wood Morgan came at me furious
~. swinging his club over his head.
and Ia a moment we we're fencing
away al a merry rate. We both had
reUoivers strapped to our waists. but
] had no intention of drawing mine
unless In extremity. At nay right
StOddard was busy keeping OF Nor
gau's personal guard, who seemed re-
iuctant 70 close with the clergyman.
have been. 10 my day, something
OF a ienCer. and my knowledge of the
foiis stood me in good stead now.
With a tremendous thwack knocked
Aiorgan's club flying over the snow.
and. as we grappled. Bates yelled from
the house. I quickly found that Nor.
gan's wounded arm wa stil tender.
He nlnched at the first grapple, and
his anger got the better OF his judg.
ment. We kicked up the snow at a
great rate as we tented and dragged
each other about He caught hold Of
my belt with one hand and with a
great wrench nearly dragged ne from
my feet, but / 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 at any cost" shouted
Stoddard, putting himself between me
and the men who we're flying 10 Nor
gan's aid.
Shoot you fools. shooti' howlet
Morgan, and as we started across tn,
open meadow and ran toward the
house a shotgun roared back Of us ant
buckshot snapped aud ratified on tn,
stone OF the water tower.
There's the sheriff called stod
dard behind me.
The officer and his deputy ran int
the park from the gate OF St Agaiha's
while the rest OF Morgan's party wer,
skirtlng the wall 10 join them.
stop or IN shoot" yelled Morgan
and J felt sto1dard pause in his 81
gantlc stride 10 throw himself between
ms and the pursuers.
Sprint for Il hot" he called yer,
c0olly, rs though ne were coaching m,
IN a contest OF tbs most amlable sor
imaginable.
'Get away from those guns. / pant
Cd angered by the very generosity o
his defense,
"Felnt for the front door and thei
run FOR the terrace aud the librarl
door" he commanded as We crosse,
the little ravlne bridge. They've 90
as headed on"
Twice the guns doomed behind Us
and twice / saw shot cut into tn,
Snow about me.
I'm all right" called stoddard. ne
assurlngly sim az my hack. "They'rl
not a biz anxious 10 kill me-
/ was az the top OF my speed nov
hut the clergyman kept close at m,
heels. was blowing hard, but N
made equal time with perfect ease.
NOW for the sherlh-here we co.
cried stoddard-beBide me-when vi
were close to the fringe OF trees tina
shielded the entrance. Then on W,
yeered suddenly to the left. close upoi
the terrace. where nj OF the Frencl
windows was thrown open and Larrl
and Bates stepped out. urging as OF
with lusty cries.
They earght us by the arms an,
drasged as over where the balustrad,
was lowest. and we crowded through
the door and slammed f. As Bate.
snapped the bolts Morsan's party dis
charged their combir~d artillery an,
withdrew across tho vine toward thI
iake.
CHAPTER XIV.
80. &c. a.. a.. 4 Ia..