The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1920-04-29
cHApTEH ix.-cortlnyed.

Pierre reeled. and once again Hilary
leaped and caught him under the chin.
But this time hfwas not quick enough
to repeat his ftrmer maneuver. Le-
blanc struck at hm from behind. The
upward thrust 9ould have penetrated
his heart had idHruck where Leblanc
intended; but, by miracle Of luck. II
passed between Hilary's arm and his
body. only Just grazing n rib. The
point Of the blade caught In the lining
~ the coat and. before Leblanc could
withdraw his arm, Hilary pressed his
own left arm against his body. catch
ipg Leblanc's hand there and, imprison-
Ing II. -,
This movement swupalAflm round.
forcing him 10 release ffaYfe. and the
ensuing bovine rush which the outlaw
made threw them both against the en-
brasure OF the second window. on the
opposite side OF the door Men were
yelling outside. and furious hammer
ing was maintained, but none OF the
fighters was conscious either OF the
shouts or OF the blows. AS Hilary and
Leblanc fell against the window-shelf
the rotted wood broke inward. The
second lamp tottered and then crashed
down beside them. going out as the
first had done. and leaving the stable
in complete darkness. With a swift
movement Hilary managed to draw Lee
blanc's arm further through his. With
the pressure OF his combined biceps
and trlceps he could hold 1t there In
definitely, II he had only Leblanc TO
contend with. But he could not use
his right hand to force Leblanc's open
and take the knife, which the jobber
was making frantic efforts 60 use. He
needed his right hand for Pierre and
Leblanc managed TO twist the knife so
that its edge was against Hllary's side.
and with the slnews OF his fingers he
was scraplng II backward and for
ward, ripping open the coat lining and
infllcting succession OF scratches
and little punctures under the heart.
Hilary backed suddenly, jarrlng Lee
blnnc's spine against the edge of the
window shelf. Leblanc groaned and
made q frantic effort to twist himself
free, hacking ut Hihry's shlns and
shouting TO Pierre 10 finish the Job.
Plerre's forward rush. had flung him
between the two. Hilary felt him
cropping in the darkness, trying TO
gauge the position fn which he was
leaning; Pierre was evidently puzzled
by the position Of the two, and by the
termination Of Leblanc's shoulder
against Hilary's. Hilary Nsensed that
Pierre had finally satisfied, himself and
had raised his right arm 10 strike. lie
flung away the revolver. which he still
held. reached up and seized the hand
as II was about TO descend.
Thus holding the right wrist of each
OF his assnilsnts he plunged forward,
bringing them 20 the floor. He let 20
suddenly and sprang TO his feet.
PieYre's knife grazed his sole; as Le-
blanc tried TO rise Hilary caught him
beneath the chin with the other foot.
Leblanc groaned and his head went
back on the floor.
That lief. only Pierre in action. Hill
ury withdrew d step or two. lie heard
The outlaw breathing Heavily as he
crouched in the darkness, For the first
time he began 20 be. aware OF the
knocking mt the door. II sounded now
as II crowbnr We're being applied.
The yells OF the lumberrhen came TO
his ears but the absurdlty Of his posi-
tion did not dawn on him, nor the fact
that, when he had settled with Pierre
he would have TO reckon with the mob
outside. He meant TO deal with Pierre
as he had dealt with the others. But
in the darkness he could guide himself
only by Pierre's breathing, which
sounded now on one side OF him and
now on the other Further away Lee
blanc was moaning.
Out OF the darkness Pierre leaped
forward. The knife blow flashed past
Hilary, who got Pierre by the arms.
They began TO wrestle as they had
done that day In the woods. Here
Pierre was Hllary's superior; his
physical strength was greater, though
he had no force in his blows; and,
though Hilary had beaten him that day
at the camp, II was by a strategem
which could not be repeated success
fllly. Gradually the strength OF
pierre's arms began TO tell. The two