Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-01-07

alarm, no noise sufficiently loud 20 a.
to attract the attention Of sentries on
guard. This affair must be fought out
with bare knuckles and straining SIM
ews--fought In silence to the end. j
held him to me In bear grip, but his
overmastering strength bore me back.
ward, my body bending beneath the
strain until every muscle ached.
Cd you--you sneakin' spy" he
Kissed savagely, and his jaws snapped
at me IKE mad beast. "Let go!
d. you--let got"
Crazed by the pain, swerved to
one side. and half fell. my grip torn
loose from about his arms, but as In
stantly closing again around his lowers
body. He strained, but failed TO break
my grasp, and / should have hurled
him over the hip, but at that second
Gasklns struck me. and i went tum-
bling down, with the saloonkeeper
falling fiat on top of me, his pudgy
fingers still cawing fercely at my
throat. Ii seemed us though conscious.
ness left my brain, crushed into death
by those gripping hands, and yet the
spark Of life remained, for heard the
ex.preacher utter Il yelp, which ended
In moan, as blow struck him: then
Rale was jerked off me, and / sobbing.
~ caught my breath, my throat free.
Into my dazed mind there echoed the
sound Of voice.
us tibet 'nough, Jack?-then holler.
D. yer, yer try tibet again, an I'll
spill whut brains yet got all over this
kintry. Yes, it's Tim Kennedy talkln',
an he's talkin' ter ye. Now yer lie
whar yer are. Yer amt killed, be ye,
knoxT'
l managed TO lift myself out Of the
dirt, still clutching for breath but with
my mind clearing.
"No; i guess I'm all right, Tim," I
said, painting out the words with an eff.
fort whats become Of Kirbyl Don't
let him get away"
NJ mint likely to. Hes lynn right
whar yer dropped him. Holy smoke
Gounded ter me like ye hit him with
q pole-ax. ! got his gun, an thet's
whut'c maxim this skunk hold SO blame
still--oh, yes, I will, Jack Rale; I'm
just a achln' fer ter let ye hav' It."
"And the other fellow? He hit me-"
"My OIL frien,' Gaskins; thet's him,
oil right" The deputy gave vent to
short, mirthless laugh. ''Oh. I raped
him with the butt; had ter do 1t. He'd
got hold ov a club solnwhar, an wus
goIn. ter give yer another. II viii be
while. I reckon. fore he takes much
Interest. whatl / do with this red
headed ginkg'
! succeeded in reaching my feet, and
stood there moment, gaining what
view i could through the dark
ness. The short struggle, desperate
as 1t had heen, was not a noisy one,
and could hear nothing about US to
Indicate any alarm. Kennedy had one
hard knee pressed into Rale's abdomen
and the star-rays reflected back the
steel gliinmer of the pistol held threat
eningly before the mans eyes, The
horses beyond stood motionless, and
AlIS tMo N0ihCl4 Lac slINgSS
like silent shadows. stood up once
more, peerlng through the darkness
and listening. Whichever was to be
done must decide, and quickly.
Have Rale stand up. but keep him
covered. Don't give him any chance
to break away: now wait-there is.
lariat rope hanging to this saddle; I'll
get It."
1t was strong cord and Of good
length, and we proceeded to bind the
fellow securely in spite OF his objec-
lions. taking charge Of the pistol,
while Tim, who wGs more expert, did
the jab in workmanlike manner.
"Now gag him, Tim" said quietly.
Yes, use the neckerchief. That will