Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1920-04-08
CHAPTER Ix.-continued.

Pierre reeled, and once again Hilary
feaped and caught him under the chin.
But this time he was not quick enough
10 repeat his former maneuver. Lee
blanc struck at him from behind. The
upward thrust would have penetrated
his heart had it struck where Leblanc
intended; but, by a miracle of luck, it
passed between Hilary's arm and his
body, only just grazing a rib. The
point of the blade caught in the lining
of the coat and, before Leblanc could
withdraw his arm, Hilary pressed his
own left arm against his body, catch
ing Leblanc's hand there and imprison-
ing it.
This movement swung him round,
Forcing him to release Pierre, and the
ensuing bovine rush which the outlaw
made threw them both against the en-
Sbrasure of the second window, on the
opposite side of the door. Men were
yelling outside, and a furious hammer
ing was maintained, but non 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 Le-
blanc's arm further through his. With
the pressure Of his combined biceps
and triceps he could hold it there in
definitely, if 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 to use. He
rneeded his right hand for Pierre and
Leblanc managed to twist the knife so
that its edge was against Hilary's side,
and with the sinews of his fingers he
was scraping it backward and for
ward, ripping open the coat lining and
inf1icting a succession of scratches
land little punctures under the heart.
Hillary backed suddenly, Earring Lee
blanc's spine against the edge of the
window shelf. Leblanc groaned and
made a frantic effort to twist himself
free, hacking at Hilary's shins and
shouting to Pierre to finish the job.
Pierre's forward rush had flung him
between the two. Hilary felt him
cropping in the darkness, trying to
gauge the position in which he was
leaning; Pierre vas evidently puzzled
by 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
had raised his right arm to strike. He
flung away the revolver, which he still
held, reached up and seized the hand
as it was about to descend.
Thus holding the right wrist of each
of his assailants he plunged forward,
bringing them to the floor. He let go
suddenly and sprang to his feet.
Pierre's knife grazed his sole; as Lee
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 left only Pierre in action. Hill
airy withdrew a step or two. He heard
1.-THE outlaw breathing heavily as he
ccrouched in the darkness. For the first
time he began to be aware of the
knocking at the door. 1t sounded now
as if a crowbar were being applied.
Che yells of the lumbermen came to
silis ears; but the absurdity of his posi-
stion 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
sonly by Pierre's breathing, which
sounded now on one side of him and
now on the other. Further away LIE
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 hat
done that day in the woods. Here
Pierre was Hilary's superior; his
physical strength was greater, though
he had no force in his blows; and
though Hilary had beaten him that day
Mt the camp, it was by a strategen
which could not be repeated success
fully. Gradually the strength O.
5ferre's arms began to tell. The tw'