Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-08

We'd like TO keep 1t that way"
''Well-you see-I know nothing of that
shooting ARRAY, so / doubt if my au-
thority would permit me to interfere"
the soldier unused, half to himself.
81 allowed you were to use your own
judgment" said the elder man.
$50 ! am, 1 suppose. There is one
chance, Mr.. Gale. II you'll back me up
I'll send him on down to st. Michaefs
That is the most I can do
The lieutenant outlined his plan. and
as he went on the trader nodded APP
prevail
The young man gazed back at him so
squarely, his eyes were so pleasant and
friendly, his whole person breathed such
Istraight-up honesty and freshness, that
shame arose in the old man, and he had
hard shift to keep his glance from waver-
ing. Without forethought he answered.
impulsively:
Hes desperate and he's dangerous.
sold him as just now" He was about
to tell him where the man wore it, and
I'd add a word concerning his dexterity
with the gun, when the very fearless de-
liberation of the youth deferred him. On
second thought, Gale yielded to an i'm
pulse to wait and see how Meade Burrell
would act under fire. If the soldier emerg
ed scathless, ii would give him a line on
would be even better. The sight of his
blue and brass awoke in the elder man
dread and cowardice, emotions he had
never experienced before. Anyhow, he
owed it to himself, to Necia, and to
the others to find out what kind of man
this soldier was
The crowd was coming back to the
steamer, which had discharged her few
bundles of freight, and there was no
one inside the log post as they enter
ed except Doret and the stranger, who
had deposited his baggage at the rear and
was talking with the Frenchman at the
bar. At sight Of the lieutenant he be-
came silent, and turned carelessdly, al
though with a distrustful stare. Burrell
wasted no time.
Are you going to locate here?" he
began.
yes"
IT notice you go skelton-rigged," the
soldier continued, indicating the mans
baggage. Pretty small outfit for a min
er, isn't n?'
ITS plenty for me-"
Have you enough money to buy your
seasons grub?
81 guess that's my business"
Pardon me, it's my business Also
What is this-a hold up?" The man
laughed harshly, at the same time swing
ing around till he faced his questioner.
Gale noted that his right hand now hung
directly over the spot where his sus-
penders buttoned on the right side. The
trader moved aside and took up a posi-
ton at some distance.
my orders are to see that all new
corners either have an outfit or are able
to buy one,' said Burrell. "Those that
are not equipped properly are to be sent
down-river to st. MichaePs, where there
is plenty of everything and where they
will be taken care of by the government.
Mr.. Gale has only sufficient provisions
to winter the men already in this dis
trict."
81 can take care of myself" said the
man, angrily, whether I'm broke or not,
and I don't want any of your Interior
ence." He shot quick glance at Poleon
Doret, but the Frenchman's face was
like wood. and his hand still held the
neck of a whisky bottle he had set out
for the stranger before the others en-
tered. Gale leaned against the opposite
counter, his countenance inert but for
the eyes, which were fixed upon the
lieutenant. -..
Come" said the officer. peremptorily,
"I have heard all about you, and you
are not the kind of citizen we want here,
but if you have enough money for an
outfit. L can't send you away. If you
haven't"
I'm broke" said the man, but at the
note in his voice. Poleon Doret's muscles
frightened, and Burrell, who also read
sinister message in the tone, slid his
heavy service revolver from its holster
beneath his coat.
He had never done this thing before,
and 1t CALLED him. He had never drawn
a weapon on man, and this playing at
policeman became suddenly most repug-
nant, stirring in him the uncomfortable
feeling that he was doing mean thing
and not only a mean thing, but one of
which he ought to se heartily ashamed.
He felt decidedly amateurish, especially
when he saw that the man apparently in
tended no resistance and made no move.
However, he was in for it now, and
must end as he had begun.
Give me your gum" he said. III
unload it and give it back to you at the
gang-plank." 49,.
IAN right, you've got the upper hand"
said the man through lips that had
gone white. Drawing his weapon from
beneath his vest, he presented 1t to the
officer, butt foremost, hammer under
meath. The cylinder reposed naturally
in the palm Of his hand,
and the tip of his forefnger was thrust
through the trigger-guard.
Rurrell lowered the barrel of his re-
volver ana put out his left hand for the
others weapon. Suddenly the mans
wrist jerked the soldier saw a blue lick
er of sunlight on the steel as it whirled,
saw the arm of Polcon Doret fling itself
across the bar with the speed of a strik-
ing serpent, heard a smash of breaking
glass, felt the shock of a concussion,
and the spatter of some liquid in his face.
Then he saw the mans revolver on the
floor halfway across the room, saw
fragments of glass with 1t, and saw the
fellow step backward snatching at the
fingers Of his right hand. smell OF
powder-smoie and rank whiskey was In
the air.
There are times when a mans hand
will act more swiftly than his tongue.
Napoleon Doret hau seen the manner
of the strangers surrender of his gun,
and, realizing too late what It meant,
had acted. At the very instant of the fell
lows treachery, Doret struck with his
bottle just I'm time to knock the weapon
from his hand, but not in time to pre-
vent it's discharge. The bullet was
lodged in the wall a foot from where
Gale stood AS the stranger staggered
back, the Frenchman vaulted the bar,
though swift as a cat, the soldier, who
had also leaped, was before him. Aim
ing a sweeping downward blow with his
Colt, Burrell clipped the Skagaway man
just above the ear, and he reeled; then