Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-08-28

resigned himself to the inevitable,
Captain Jacobs ordered his men TO
cease rowing and hold their oars per-
pendicularly that he might swing the
quarterboat alongside the dingey. rs
the four Gamer obeyed and the skip
per with q sweep of the ruddcr brought
his craft within n few feet of the
now listlcssly floating boat Of John,
the latter leaped to his feet, boat
hook in hands.
Two vicious sweeps of the iron tip
ped hook he made, and before those
savage blows the appraised oars OF the
quarter boat went down with a crash
as saplings fall before a hurricane.
Two were snapped off at the blade,
one Knocked into the water and the
fourth badly s%plintcred. Throwing
down the boat hook and resuming his
oars. John with a parting laugh swept
on his way, leaving his enemies raging
impOtently with no means of propel-
ling their craft in pursuit. Fifteen
minutes later he was debarking at the
tlot Nv Nv IA u'Nii IVA ~ lAHF
c%aretaker, and wiping the perspirati0n
from his brow started for the Water
side saloon. With his blood thorough
ly aroused by the treatment he had re-
celved from Simpkins, he had no idea
of leaving the place until he had set
tied accornts with that vile scOundrel.
Opening the door Of the place with
a swift push, Davis looked within.
Simpkins was at the bar drinking with
the barkeCper, the Others who had
taken place in the assault having left
the place. As the returned one step
ped over the threshold the Supcrin-
tendent, uttcring Il curse, took Il step
back and began Juggling at his re
vOlver. while at the same instant the
barkeeper reached beneath the cOun-
ter for his weapon. Quick as a flash
the incOmer snatched a bottle from
the bar. Before IFS blow the saloon
man went down with II crash and lay
prone, and with one enemy disposed
of, John wheeled upon the other. .
Simpkins had drawn his revolver
and was in the act of firing. With not
tie at him, and us the heavy glass
missile landed full in the superintcnd-
ent's face, the latter reclrd backward
and dropped to the tlonr. Put quick
as q cat he was upon his fc"t again.
and seeing his opponent advancing
upon him, and with no time to regain
the revolver which had flown from his
hand, the murderOuS-mindcd one turn
ell and fled with John in hot pursuit.
MOrtnlly in fear Of his antagonist
now that his revolver was gone. ,Simp-
kins ran with the agility Of an ape.
Bounding up n flight of stairs he rench-
ed the room above, where s%pringing
upon Il table he threw up Il trap which
led to the roof above and pulled him
self through. John, close at his heels,
was in the act of following when the
n upon the roof slammed the trap
door down. For a moment enSued II
struggle between the one above and
the one below, then with Il violent eff
fort John hurled the door aside and
leaped upon the roof of the building.
Simpklns, at bay and desperate, rush
ed at him like a cOrnered rat.
They closed In hand to hand COM
bat. Three times with savage blows
John knocked his antagonist fiat. but
such was the vitality and %toughness
Of the man that each time he leapcd
to his feet and renewed the battle rs
fiercely as before. BY a lucky blow up
on Davis chin the villain staggered
him back, and Selling advantage of
the seconds opportunity this gave him,
the superintendent whipped II knife
from his pocket and rushed in with a
savage sweep of the weapon. Bare
ly In time John caught his wrist, and
then ensued n silent but desperate
battle to a finish between an uuarmed
man and a foe nearly as powerful
who possessed a deadly weapon. From
edge to edge Of the roof they fought
for the mastery, with the issue ever
In doubt. John. his clothinn siashad in