Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-12-22
CHAPTER xxll.-consinued.

True enough. The fifth bullet had
passed between the gaping jaws OF
the reptile and taken on h greater
part Of that darting scarlet thread
As neatly as a sharp instrument could
snuff a candle. While the wound
doubtless caused agony to the snake
It did not lessen its anger. The pol
son-charged fangs remained in It's
mouth, and the cutting on of its
tongue swelled It's fury to the ultimate
degree.
Brttz dropped the pistol on he chit
fonier and thrust both hands In his
pockets.
up a tree for fair" he said. Moth
ing more doing in the artillery nne.
That was your last cartridge"
Britz bent his head aflrmatively.
An expression Of slow wrath gathered
force in the Headquarters mans face,
q he stared at the swaying serpent
such a short distance below. One
could see he vas angry enough to
take the desperate chance OF spring
ing from his perch and trying to
strike the cobra with his heels, or,
failing that. seizing 1t by the neck,
seeking to throttle 1t. The instinct OF
MISREPRESENTATION, however. was
stronger than rage. Britt was willing
enough to risk his life In the fulfill
ing OF his duty. 70 long az the risk
meant q lighting chance to him. He
was too sensible absolutely to throw
his life away. and something told him
that in spite Of all the courage In the
world. no man would have an appreci-
able percentage OF opportunity In q
battle at close quarters with SO zen
omous a serpent. Yet he must get
out OF that house. He felt he was the
only man on the police force who
could be lure Of heading on the Ori-
entails. In that very moment they
might be beyond the city's limits,
bearing the booty he had pursued for
weeks. 1t was more than his self
poise could stand. He gave rein to
his anger, and for the first time in all
the doctors acquaintance with him he
swore hard and fast and long. His
now OF profanity stopped as suddenly
Is IL had commenced. He drew one
hand from his pocket, and slowly, as
if he hardly dared to trust his senses,
held up his fingers and looked at what
they clasped. Then he held the OBJ
ject out triumphantly for the physi'
elan to see It was a loaded cartridge
forgotten whom last he emptied his
pockets Of their supply Of extra am.
munition!
We'll make no miss with this one
uaid the sleuth. Don't o think you
can use It better. dOcf"
-No," said Fitch, Il am not in your
class when 1t comes to snufing out
serpents' tongues. You may fire when
you are ready. lieutenant"
Britx grinned, shook the empty
shells out Of the revolver, slipped the
full cartridge into one Of the cham
hers and twirled 1t until It paralleled
the barrel. Then, once more using
his arm a. ! rest, he took careful aim,
and was about to pull the trigger
when tho door was flung open and the
uniformed policeman stood on the
threshold.
well" said the b~luecoat. excuse
me for buttng In. but I thought some
ching might have"
Fitch checked him with an appraised
hand. and the patrolman's eyes al
most burst in their sockets as, lower
-dng hiU gaze, he raw the approaching
death covered BY the Headquarters
mans pistol. For q seconds space
none Of the three men moved. Then q
metallic click broke the suspense
only TO leave It In another instant
o taut than ever as all three re
allied he cartridge had missed fire