Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-16
CHAPTER xII-Continued.

saw that I could not make peace and
I saw other dark figures coming. drawn
by the sound of voices raised In anger
but / paused a moment. not knowing
what to do. Bucks. his swarthy face
inflamed with anger and self-created rage
suddenly struck at me, and though
sprang to one side his heavy fist graZed
nv face and landed on my shoulder.
staggered but I recovered my balance in
a moment and then I thought no longer
of peace. .-.
All the restraint of years was swept
away by Bucks sudden and causeless
blow and il was my impulse to kill this
man who had put such an affront upor
me- I struck back with all my might
and felt the hard bones of my knuckles
sink into his face. He went down like
log but he was powerful man. OF I'M
mense vitality, and in a moment ne was
on his feet. the blood streaming from ms
face and reddening his dark overcoat be
low. He took one quick step backward
thrust his right hand into his oVercoa'
nocket and when II came forth agar
there was the deadly CLEAN of steel IL
the twilight He whirled his hand alof'
and leveled the pistol.
owed my life to my muscular train
ing in the b-acksmi h shop. behind those
somber walls not so far away. When
saw the CLEAN of steel and the leveeo
revolver ! sprang straight at him. TAX
ing 10 thought of the weapon in my own
pocket. and struck the pistol to one side
lust as lie pulled the trigger.
There was Il sharp report and the bulle'
whistled over the roofs. Then | was
upon him In that moment, l fear,
too was wild animal. because felt a
savage joy when | seized him by the
throat with both hands and felt my
fingers sink into his flesh.
Not in vain had l learned TO swing the
great sledge: not in vain had nature anC
practice together given me a grasp that
had led men in the penitentiary some
times 10 call me the iron-handed. Buck!
weighed 900 pounds. but when my fingers
closed upon his throat he seemed to re-
lax and fall like paralytlc. his heao
flew back and a horrible gurgllnS SOUND
came from his throat for few moments
then nothing. | threw him prone upor
the ground and dropped upon my knees
beside him. my fingers still closing upon
his threat. always tighter.
What followed IS only u sort of blur tc
me | heard cries and then Wariield anC
Peden threw themselves upon me.
Loose him, Loose him, for Gods sake
Harry. You're killing him." cried Jimmy
| was tempted to reply in kind OF
savage joy. Yes. ] am. and | know II!
Blu; at the cry of my friend ana the
sight Of the drawn, CONFUSED face under
my hands the anger passed out OF me.
was seized with q sudden slrivering fit a
the thought of what | had so nearly done
and, releasing him. sprans TO my feet
saw that he still lay prone and motion
less and then the spectators crowded be
tween US.
Warfield and Peden were by me, as be-
fore one on one side and one on the
other.
He had been making threats, Harry.
said Jimmy quietly. He fired the first
shot. too ard YOU could have killed him
had YOU wished Ia do 50. Come away.
yes. T could have killed him." | re
nesIed But | thank God that | didn l.
| allowed them 10 lead me away, as they
wished. and we went toward my lotel
the crowd opening to let us pass | hearo
some Que say: Clarke and Bucks nave
HAD it out and | knew that the speahel
believed Bucks to be dead. I had hor-
rible fear that he might be dead, and
shivered again.
A policeman appeared, but l was