Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1907-09-14

CHAPTER xxIiI.-continued


the delicate imprint OF your web-feet
again
lie turned the man about and
rushed him toward the house. the re-
yoIver still serving as a 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" 1 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
the wood, with the open meadow and
water tower at our backs, while Larry
was making good time toward the
house
Lets not wait for them here"
shouted Stoddard.
Morgan was advancing with club
in his hand, making directly for me,
tive men at his heels. and the rest
yeering off toward the wall of st.
AgathaS.
Watch the house, 1 yelled to the
chaplain: and then, on the edge OF
ly. swinging his club over his head,
and in a moment we were fencing
away at a merry rate. We both had
revolvers strapped to our waists, but
I had no intention OF drawing mine
unless in extremity. At my right
Stoddafd was busy keeping off Nor
gan's personal guard, who seemed re-
1uctanC to close with the clergyman.
I have been, in my day, something
of a fencer, and my knowledge of the
foils stood me in good stead now.
With a tremendous thwack l knocked
Morgans club flying over the snow,
and, as we grappled, Bates yelled from
the house. 1 quickly found that Nor
gan's wounded arm was still tender.
He f1inched at the first Srapple, 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 me 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
Stoddard. putting himself between me
and the men who were flying to Nor
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 the
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
si1irting the wall to join them.
stop or I'll shoot" yelled Morgan,
and L felt Stoddard pause in his 81
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.
..Feipt for the front door and then
run for the terrace and the library
door," he commanded as we crossed
the little ravine bridge. They've go
us heated off,
Twice the guns doomed behind us
and twice 1 saw shot cut into the
snow about me.
I'm all right" called Stoddard. re
assuringly, still at my back. They're
not bit anxious to kill me-"
was at the top of my speed now
but the clergyman kept close at m,
heels. 1 was blowing hard, but h,
made equal time with perfect ease
Now for the sheriff-here we go.
cried Stoddard-beside me-when w,
were close to the fringe of trees tina
shielded the entrance. Then off W,
yeered suddenly to the left, close upol
the terrace, where one of the Frencl
windows was thrown open and LAIR,
and Bates stepped out. urging us OF
with lusty cries.
They caught US by the arms an
dragged US over where the baiustrad
was lowest, and we crowded through
the door and slammed it As Bate
snapped the bolts Morgan's party dis
charged their combir I'd artillery an
withdrew across the svine toward tn
take.
CHAPTER XIV.