Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-03-05
CHAPTER lx.-contlnued.

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 1t struck where Leblanc
intended; but, by 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-
Drasure 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
lighters 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
nrst 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 1t 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 sinewr of his fingers he
was scraping It Backward and for
ward, ripping open The coat lining and
ini1icting a succession of scratches
snd little punctures under the heart.
Hilary backed suddenly, Earring Lee
hlanc's spine against the edge Of the
window shelf. Leblanc groaned and
made 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 was 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 receiver, which he still
held, reached up and seized the hand
as 1t was about Il, descend.
Thus holding tie 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 grszed his sole; as Lee
blanc tried to risa 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 sssp or two. He heard
the outlaw breathing heavily as he
crouched in the darkness. For the first
time he began 20 be aware of the
knocking at the door. 1t sounded now
as If crowbar were being applied.
The yells of the lumbermen came to
his ears; but the absurdity of his posi-
ton did not dawJ. on him, nor the fact
that, when he han 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
only by Pierre< breathing, which |
sounded now on one side of him and |
now on the othev. Further away Lee |
blanc was moaning.
Out of the darkness Pierre leaped |
forward. The kIiife blow flashed past |
Hilary, who got Pierre by the arms. |
They began to wrestle as they had |
done that day 10 the woods. Here |
Pierre was BDary'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 strategem |
which could not be repeated success
fully. Gradually the strength of |
Piarre's arms beeRn to tell. The two