The Rice belt journal., 1920-05-22
CHAPTER lx.-continued.

pierre reeled, and once again Hilary
,.soed and caught him under the chin.
pnt this time he was not quick enough
d repeat his former maneuver. Le-
.hlsnc struck at him from behind. The
Trward thrust would have penetrated
N heart had 1t struck where Leblanc
attended; but, by q miracle of luck, 1t
Dassed between Hilary's arm and his
body, only just grazing a rib. The
mint Of the blade caught in the lining
\ the coat and, before Leblanc could
withdraw his arm, Hilary pressed his
oWp left arm against his body, catch
rg Leblancs hand there and imprison-
ngt.
This movement swung him round.
opIng him to release Pierre, and the
ensuing bovine rush which the outlaw
made threw them both against the en-
brasure Of the second window, on the
ODDOslte side Of the door. Men were
Yelling outside, and a furious hammer
Dg was maintained, but none Of the
sghters was conscious either Of the
shouts or Of the blows. AS Hilary and
IablanC fell against the windOw-shelf
tie rOtted wood broke inward. The
second lamp tOttered and then crashed
down beside them, going out as the
irst had done, and leaving the stable
h complete darkness. With a swift
movement Hilary managed to draw Le-
blales arm further through his. With
he pressure Of his combined biceps
and triCeps he could hold it there In
definitely, If he had only Leblanc to
Nntend with. But he could not use
BIS right hand to force Leblanc's open
and take the knife, which the jobber
vas making frantic efforts to use. He
needed his right hand for Pierre; and
Leblanc managed to twist the knife so
that It's edge was against Hilary's side,
and with the slnews Of his fingers he
was scraping It backward and for
ward, ripping open the coat lining and
naicting a succession Of scratches
Tnd little punctures under the heart.
Hilary backed suddenly, jarring Lee
blanc's spine against the edge of the
window shelf. Leblanc groaned and
made a frantic effort to twist himself
ice, hacking at Hilary's shins and
Shouting to Pierre to finish the job.
PerTe's forward rush had flung him
between the two. Hilary felt him
sFoping in the darkness, trying to
gauge the position in which he was
eaningi Pierre was evidently puzzled
oy the position Of the two, and by the
termination Of Leblanc's shoulder
against Hilary's. Hilary sensed that
Pierre had finally satisfied himself and
BAD raised his right arm to strike. He
aung away the revolver, which he still
geld, reached up and seized the hand
Is i was about to descend.
Thus holding the right wrist of each
e Als assailants he plunged forward,
bringing them to the floor. He let 60
soodenly and sprang to his feet.
flsrre's knife grazed his sole; as Le-
oanc tried to rise Hilary caught him
seaeatA the chin with the other foot.
Leblanc groaned and his head went
eSek On the floor.
mat left only Pierre In action. Hill
V withdrew a step or two. He heard
le outlaw breathing heavily as he
aOlened in the darkness. For the first
uae ne began to be aware of the
la0eElng at the door. It sounded now
I a CrOwbar we're being applied.
Aas yells Of the lumbermen came to
Y ears; but the absurdity of his posi-
soa old not dawn on him, nor the fact
sas when he had settled with Pierre
would have to reckon with the mob
valslde He meant to deal with Pierre
e mad dealt with the others. But
!. 'le darkness he could guide himself
w oy Pierre's breathing, which
0ulaed now on one side of him and
WV On the other. Further away lie,
aianc was moaning.
WI Of the darkness Pierre leaned
Inward " The knife blow flashed past
mary who got Pierre by the arms
sley began to wrestle as thew hat
p, psle mat day in the woods. Here
s se was Hilary's superior; hi,
s'cal strength was greater. though
lad no force in his blows: and
sn Y Hilary had beaten him that day
NV .lle camp, It was by a strategen
'nn 1'Cn could not be repeated success
Gradually the strength o
ss 'ssses arms began to tell. The tw,
s1.'a strainlng together, but Pierr,
,,' ulllg' The knife arm was surel,
,sss. sS.ls out Of Hilary's clutch. |
sasued upward. But at the momep
@as asl !, i vas evading him Hilary dror
~ ~, flerre's left hand and struck tb
Y 1Sg between the eyes. AS he did 5
SIDE Of him. S VI 'Hs O'ne
!. s's'Fe staggered, and in a flash Hu
~. aad both his hands upon Pierre,
a. y. wrist kneading the veins an
a... I'll the fist opened, The knif
upon the floor. HiIar
and seized it.
vas the precise instant whe