The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-10-16

belUTe Ille latter toutu comprehend
what had happened the miner was on
top, and a clenched fist was driven into
his face with all the force of q Sledge-
hammer. But barrOOm fighting was no
Fscruples as to the methods employed.
With teeth sunk into his opponents
arm, and fingers gOuging at his eyes,
the fellow struggled like a mad dog !;
yet, in spite of every effort TO restrain
him, Westcott, now filed with the
fierce rage of battle, broke free, fairly
tearing himself from BentOns desper-
ate clutch, and pinning him helplessly
against the wall.
At the same instant Lacy, who had
regained his feet, leaped upon him
from behind, striking him with all his
force, the violence of the blow, even
though a grazing one, driving the
miners head into the face of the gun
man.
Both went down together, but West
colt was on his feet again before Lacy
could aft, closing with the latter. 1t
was hand-tO-hand, the silent struggle
for mastery between two men not IN
evenly matched, men asking and re-
ceiving no mercy. The revolver of one
lay on the floor, the other still reposed
on the open desk, and neither could
be reached. 1t was a battle to be
fought out with bare hands. Twice
al ahpl Gefh rfr
ing blood, but Lacy chung to him, one
hand twisted in his neck-band, the
other viciously forcing back his head.
Unable to release the grip, Westcott
gave back, bending until his adversary
was beyond balance; then, suddenly
Strengthening, hurled the fellow side
ways But by now Beaton, daZed and
confused, was upon his feet. With the
below Of wild bull he flung himself
on the struggling men, forcing Lacy
aside and smashing into WestcOtt with
all the strength Of his body. The inn
petus sent all three crashing to the
floor.
Excited voices sounded without;
then blows resounded against the
wood of the locked door, but the three
men were oblivious to all but their
own struggle. Like SO many wild
beasts they clutched and struck, unable
to disentangle themselves. Enright,
his face like chalk, got to his knees
and crept across the floor until his
hand closed on WestcOtt's revolver.
Lifting himself by grip on the desk,
he swung the weapon forward at the
very instant the miner rose staggering,
dragging Beaton with him. There
was a fash of flame, sharp report,
and WestcOtt sprang aside, gripping
the back of chair. The gunman sank
into shapelessness on the floor as the
chair hurled through the air straight
at Enright's head.
with q crash the door fell. and a
black mass of men surged in through
the opening, the bartender leading
them, an axe in his hand. Beaton
lay motionless just as he had dropped
Enright was in one corner, dazed, I'M
nerved, red cash across his fore
head, from which blood dripped, the
revolver, struck from his fingers, yet
on the floor; Westcott, his
clothes torn, his face bruised by
blows, breathing heavily. went slowly
backward, step by step, to the farther
wall. conscious of nothing now but the
hostile faces of these new
enemies. Lacy, staggering as though
drunk, managed to attain his feet,
hate, desire for revenge, yielding him
This was his crowd, and his
mind was quick to grasp the Oppor-
tunity.
There's the man who did it," he
shouted, his arm flung out toward
II saw him shoot. See,
that's his gun lying on the floor. Don't
let the murderer get away!"
He started forward, an oath on his
ips, and the excited crowd surged af-
ter, growing anger. Then 'the mass
,f them seemed suddenly rent asunder,
and the marshal plowed his way
through heedlessly. his hat gone, and
4 blue-barreled gun in either hand. He
swept the muzzle Of one Of these into
he bartender's face menacingly, his
eyes searching the maddened crowd.
"Wait minute, you," he command
I'd sharply. II reckon I've got some
hing to say bout this. Put down that
IKE, Mike, or yell never draw another
glass o. beer in this camp. You know
ne. lads, an / never draw except fer
business. Shut your mouth, Lacy;
lon't touch that gun, you fool! / am
n charge here-this is my job; and if |
here is going to be any lynching done,
t will be after you get me. Stand
,ack, now; all of you-yes, get out |
nto that barroom. mean you, Mike /!
This man is my prisoner, and I'll de-
END him. Az! III do more, I'll let
lin defend himself. Here, Westcott, |
)ick up your gun on the floor. Now,
stand here with me! We're going out |
through that bunch. and if one Of
hose coyotes puts a paw on you. let
lin have it!
The crowd made way, reluctantly |
growing curses, but with no |
nan among them sufficiently reckless
o attempt resistance. They lacked
for the little marshal new |
r once took his eye off Lacy. |
At the door he turned. walking back |
ward, trusting in Westeott to keep
heir path clear, both leveled revolvers |