The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1920-03-19
CHAPTER Ix.-continued.

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Pierre reeled, and once again Hilary
leaped and caught him under the chin.
But this time he was not quick enough
to 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. ii
passed between HiIary's arm and his
body. only just grazing 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 1 colane's hand there and imprison-
Ing II.
This rl0yement swung him round.
forcing BAN 10 release Pierre. and the
ensuing bovine rush which the outlaw
made threw them both against the en-
braSure OF the second window. on the
opposite side of the door. Men were
yelling outside, and furious hammer
ing was maintained. but none 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 Lee
blanc's arm further through his. With
the pressure of his combined biceps
and triceps he could hold ii 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
needed 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
infiicting a succession of scratches
and little punctures under the heart
Hilary 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.
Pier'e'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 was evidently puzzled
by rhe position of fhe two. and by the
termination of LebIanc'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 or, and seized the hand
as II was about TO descend.
Thus holding the right wrist of each
OF his assailaHta he plunged forward.
Bringing them To- the floor. He let go
suddenly and sprang TO his feet.
Picrre's knife grazed his sole; as Lee
blanc tried to rise Hilary caught him
beneath the chin with the other foot
Leblanc groaLed and his head went
back on the floor
That left only Pierre in action. Hill
AIRY withdrew Il step or two. lie heard
the outlaw breathing heavily as he
crouched in thr darkness. For The first
time he beg 10 be aware of the
knocking at t.. door. 1t so-n,ted now
ms If crowbai were being applied.
The yells OF the Iumberinen came 10
his ears; but the atsHrdity of his posi-
ton did not dawn oR him. nor the fact
that. when he had settled with Pierre
lie would have 10 reckon with the mob
outside. He meant 70 deal with Pierre
as he had dealt with the others lsut
In the darkness he could guide himself
only by Pierre's breathing. wi1ch
sounded now on one side of him and
now ON the either. Further away Lee
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 wreSrie as they had
done that day in the woods Here
Pierre was Hilary's superior; his
physical strength was greater. though
he had no fvrce in his blows; and.
though Hilary had beaten him that day
az the camp. il was by a strategem
which could not be repeated success
fully. Gradually the strength of
Pierre's arms began TO tell. The two
painted. str;liniLg together. brt Pierre
winning The knife arm was surely
slipping out or Hiiary's clutch ii
reached upward But ct the moment
when it was evading him Hilary drop
ped Pierre's left hand and struck the
outlaw between the eyes. As he did so
ne heard the breathing on the other
side of him.
Pierre staggered, and in fash Hill
AIRY had both his hands upon I'Ierre's
right wrist, LLeading the veins and
sinews TIL tie DIST opened The knife
elaftered upOu the floor. Hilary
GcOoped and ooaBed it.
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