The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-09-25

as Hilary could retain his hoi,l On
Pierre and keep him in this position be
was comparatively safe. Bat he had
no more than about fifteen seconds in
which to think out his next move. It
wGS all question OF muscular On.
durance. He could not hope t. ..prain
bis clutch on Picrre'S throat With one
hand for many seconds. again> tie
force behind the outlaws shoulders,
and his strong, thick-set body SUD
denly he made up his mind lie re-
leased Pierre. finging him backward
with All his might. Pierre fell - INST
Leblanc. sending him staggeria- The
two clawed at each other and lD.l to
the floor.
As Hilary released Pierre he caught
sight of Louis face peering across
pierre's shoulder. The fall Of the Two
men left Louis Hilary's only illmcdi.
ate opponent. Hilary hesitated: in
spite of his threat. spoken to Simeon,
he hesitated to attack a man much his
a
that moment he saw Louis right arm
drawn back, and the CLEAN Of the
knife he held. Before the upward
thrust came he stepped back, pulled
the revolver from his pocket, and
brought the butt crashing down On
Louis head.
That's what I promised YOU" he
shouted.
The little man, instantly drenched
with blood from the jagged scalp
wound. staggered. let the knife fall
screamed, and fed. stumbling from
side to side, with hands upraised above
his head, toward the door. Louis had
had enough; he had been meant to be
the bait of the trap. and now he had
been caught in it. Blinded by the
blood that poured over his face, he
blundered into one of the window EN-.
brasures, and his uprased hands
brought down the lamp, which fell
crashing upon the wooden floor, and
fortunately went out.
Still screaming, Louis found the
door and tried to push hack the bolt.
But before he could do Sd Hilary was
on the spot. He pushed it back him
self and, taking Louis by the sho1l.
ders, he pushed him with all Nil
strength into Baptiste's slanty.
The room was empty. The word
had evidently been passed about that il
would be advisable for one TO make
oneself scarce in view of what was
going on in the stable. But q group
of men were gathered about the door
at the entrance, peering in; and the
sudden apparition Of Louis, covered
with blood, and Hillary behind him.
proved too strong for their discretion.
They came running forward. yelling.
Hilary could have broken through
them and gained the safety of his
rooms. short distance away. Even
the hazard in such cor e was less
than what he had faced in the stable.
But the idea never occurred To him.
He was fighting mad; he had ctme to
st. Boniface to fight, and he meant ia
fight his quarrel out. He turned.
He heard Leblanc and Pierre run.
tAiiAc oNAoSo tiiC AcOI. AL
calculations, which were subconscious
were made in fractional seconds that
night. So, now, he calculated that the
pair would reach the door a half-pec.
ono before the men in the Shanty,
They would emerge confident. imagin.
ing him TO be in flight. He waited.
Louis laundering flight. which took
a mid let nT 81 l,,r~
stopped them in their attack. just ~
Hilary had calculated it would; at tho
same moment Leblanc's head aid
shoulders became visible around The
ioor. Hilary, waiting for that, iabb,d
Upward yiciously with his right. lie
'lanc howled and fell backward
Pierre off his balance IN
urn; and before they had recovered
rom the surprise Hilary had stepp:d
Jack into the stable and bolted tho
.oor behind him.
He saw their wonder and the dawn,
ng fear in Leblancs face covered with
lood. and Pierre's infuriated EcowI:
at they came on at him again. craft.
y now. crouching, their knives drawn
ack Tor the stab. A revolver. even
hen loaded, is of little use against q
nlfe. welded by an expert at close
adrterS Inc men were atrGGkins
-om opposite sides. too. They were
each movement that Hilary
lade. He estimated that they weul1
pring after very brief delay. He
azarded second and, STOPPING. picked
a fragment of rotten harness. which
I'D fallen to the floor beside one Of
he horse-boxes. He wheeled toward
ebianc. who twisted his bo1y to
eet him; and then, as Pierre rushed
from behind. wheeled again and
ought down the harness strap upoy
S head.