The Elbert County tribune., 1907-09-26
copyrishkssos By -BobDs-Msrriii Co.
CHAPTER xxIlI.-continued


The Sod. God bless it, will never fee
the delicate imprint of your web.feei
,again."
He turned the man about and
rushed him toward the house. the re
volver still serving as a prod His
flight gave heart to the wary invaders
Immediately behind him and two fel
lows. urged and led by Morgan
charged our line AT "a smart pace.
Bolt for the front door" called
to Larry, and Stodderh and closed
in after,him to guard his retreat.
They're not shooting" called Stod-
dard. ''Yon 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 walt for them here"
shouted Stoddard.
Morgan was advancing with a club
in his hand, making directly for me.
tive men at his heels, and the rest
veering of towaEd the wall of st.
Agaths's.
Watch the house" yelled to the
chaplain: and then. on the edge of
the wood Morgan came at me furioas-
1y. 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
q had no intention of drawing mine
unless In extremity. AZ my right
6toddard was busy keeping of Nor
gau,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 tremendous thwack knocked
lMorgan's club flying over the snow,
and. as we srappled. Bates yelled from
the house. quickly found that Nor.
gsn's wounded arm was still tender
He fiinched 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 feinted 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 l pinioned his arms and
bent HIN backward, then, by 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 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 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. Agathas,
while the rest of Morgan's party were
skirting the wall to join them.
stop or I'll shoot" yelled Morgan,
and l felt Stoddard pause In his gi-
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 ard the library
door," he commanded as we crossed
the little ravine bridge. They've got
US headed on"
Twice the guns doomed behind us,
and twice / saw shot cut into the
snow about me.
I'm all right" called Stoddard, re
assuringly, still at my back They're
not a bit anxious TO kill me-"
l was at the top of my speed now
but the clergyman kept close at my
heels. / was blowing hard. but he
made equal time with perfect ease.
Now for the sheriff-here we go.'
cried Stoddard-beside me-when we
were close to the fringe of trees that
shielded the entrance. Then of we
veered suddenly to the left, close upon
the terrace. where one of the French
windows was thrown open and Larry
and Bates stepped out. urging US on
with lusty cries.
They caught us by the arms and
dragged us over where the balustrade
was lowest. and we crowded through
the door and slammed 1t. AS Bates
snapped the bolts Morgan's party dis
charged their combined artillery ant
withdrew across the ravine toward the
lake.
CHAPTER XIV.