Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1910-02-19
CHAPTER XVIII.


flooring of the porch. where the invaders
had climbed by means of my trellises. but
the owners Of those heads seemed very lit
tie disposed to come farther. They had
no reserves to cover their attack from the
the protection of the dunes, and Dupon-
ceau was proclaiming that he would be-
head the first rascal that raised himself
another inch. At the ring of determina-
ton in his voice, no wonder that no one
came on. L had barely reached his side.
however. when a man flung a handful of
sand full in Duponceau's face, temporar-
lily binding him. at the same moment
that another leaped up the trellis and
vaulted over the balcony rail. / met him
face to face, and recognized the surly chap
who had spied on me that first day from
the woods. He had not gained his balance
when l fell upon him, hoping to topple
him back against the rail- Instead, his
feet shot out from under him, and, clutch
ing at me, he fell fat on the balcony. He
lay there painting second, his arms about
my back, while / tried to get my hands
upon his chest to push myself up. Sud
denly his grip frightened and, with lurch,
he rolled me over. so that now j lay IN
derneath and pinned by his arms. Then
he tried my game, and. hands on my chest,
sought TO drive the breath from my body.
He was heavy. and ] felt myself going,
going drawing each breath harder, see
Ing red more DULY, when with jerk the
pressure lightened, and looked up TO see
Charles his brawny arms about the mans
shoulders. slowly but inexorably throwing
him over on his side. His hands relaxed,
there was a groan. and the man lay fat on
bis back, Charles securely kneeling on
him while i struggled to my feet.
Meantime Duponceau. his sight clear
again, had held the balcony, and more.
had driven the men down the supports by
striking with his sword over the edge.
Throw him over" he commanded as
now, and quickly We had the hapless crea-
ture up on the railing and had dropped
him into the sand below lie fell with a
soft thud, and we turned 70 other mat
tiers.
IL was high time. Bafied at the bal
cony, the enemy were already trying 10
batter IA the front door. AT the first
sounds lowstairs Rodney had drawn
my dinner-table and the heavy oak settle,
across the door, and fortified il with every
heavy weight indoors. Now the batter
ing began aud Dup0nceau and Charles
Joined him while with an axe j found Ia
my den ! hacked away the trellisee that
climbed 10 the balcony. Verify the eight
was hot when / would cut down my own
property
Crash crash A heavy log struck the
front door and ripped away panel The
los ~As withdraw, there WAS q shout,
and again came the budding crash splin-
tsrins the upper part Of ths door and car
Tying clear Ia 10 the settle ] Was mad,
gaed through and through, AZ ths thought
VI these despefadoes, aud J. glance at
Charles face told me that be VAS the same.
VS. bulf up the barricade, Nc tried 10
way II against tho next assault, but this
ams the upper part Of tle door burst ln-
Nard, and No we're almost faoe ~ face
Tith tbs foe lfodney and ! ogampaed tho
dininsf room table Into place. and fhrew
We chaiu behind ~ oareo lltfle n0w
al the fpfnltunre esre beaten Into
lDlintega
NOV y orlsd Duponoeau. There Nas
. boom, eFash, and fhe batfeansgo m
fpoi half NAY Into the house AZ u
sleeFed Away the door Duponoeau leaped
hlsh pa N ~ Nlees VI the lahle And laid
aboui hiu Wal hls aNond sap Gus
nian fel sideways. aud ile resf slarlled
INTO fear ID iAlf uan Hlih eyfs allas0.
flapo, Hesitate, aud fal laeh
Come ou n M cried Iherf d room
~ tHo alfee,iW nui no oas cane M
,ne pes.ese iniopsh 'Asi ppen doorway
loQAed dlh|Qul
buried conference gslol dlspsfaa'.
tNn iNNn IN0 enemy nNf 400 Aliaed aiil
.