The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-01-20

AaHEM aNaFf|NhNNa NINH lAAE Jay HANA
threatening and Shelby took step
closer. the strip ~ blanket to his
hands Ms revolver thrust back Into
his belt what Indian Joe saw VIII
never be known. perhaps q slight
waverlng 10 The eyes q the giri. per
haps an instant lowering % her gun
But Il was enough All his hate and
lrenchery drove him to a desperate
chance win he mnddened lean ~
wild beast he sprang UPON Shelby.
rripped him derceiy by the throat.
rnd the two went headlong 20 The
door. Olga cred but without aim,
missing Them both. and dare nos pull
the trigger again. so tightly were The
men graIgled. as they rolled back mud
forth In frenZied effort 10 obmin mas
terry. shelby taken completely by
surprise. was at a disadvantage his
throat crushed by sinewy hands his
loosened revolver flung half across the
room. lie could only struggle 10
break the hold OF his antagonist roll
ing over and over and forcing s"'-
lows head back with every ua, 4
strength he could bring into play.
They were not unevenly matched. the
two Shelby the younger, and perhaps
the stronger: hut Laud skilled hght-
er nard as MALE. end ready TO resort
10 amy trick. Moreover he knew what
he had set out Ia accomplish, and
bent every effort TO prevent the fright
ened girl from getting shot al him.
He hung on. his streaming hands, like
wise. twisting tighter and tighter
Shelby's shirt bani rnreless OF any In
Jury 20 himself so that he kept the
body II the latter IA protection he
tween him and Olga revolver Yet.
with every move every strnining
whirl OF their bodies he gained an
inch nearer the open door. He fought
like an animal sinking his teeth into
Shelby's flesh and driving his knees
into his body II was silent. bitter
fighting. every muscle strained TO the
utmost, and. the squaw man won. They
knocked over the bench and crashed
out through the partially open door,
rolling down the single step into the
weeds. Laud landed on top. his nm
gers still cIutched on Shelby's throat,
the latter half unconscious. Crazed.
maddened as he was. the one desire
TO escape overcame his eagerDess to
kill, and Indian Joe cursing, struck
once at the upturned face, leaped TO
his feet and plunged into the shelter
OF the weeds. Shelby. gasping pain
fully for breath, scarcely yet fully
realizing what had occurred, lay mo
tionless but for the Qulvering OF his
limbs
Indeed. he had scarcely forced open
his eyes when Olga was beside him.
"You-you are allvei He did not
XIII your
He endeavored 10 smile. lifting him.
self upon one elbow.
mo. no; am all right" he gasped.
1.-THE fellow got my throat. and |
couldn't break his hold. The treach-
erous hound got me that time. was
fool and of my guard; II is no
fault of yours; should have taken
no chances with the dog Where did
he GOT"
down there. through the weeds 10
the creek; he had a horse down be-
low"
.And rode awayf"
~ think so; am not sure. I-cared
for nothing then hut you; thought
perhaps he had killed you"
Shelby struggled 10 his feet his
strength returning. although he
scarcely could swallow. and every
word he uttered panied him.
"That devil will be back; the Hole
IL full OF Indians. Our only chance
is 10 gel away before he can gather
bunch OF his kind together"
"Get awayT Wherer
up the bluff; the place In which l.
hid last night But wait; my revol.
yer IL inside the cabin"
He started back, and Olga followed
closely. Standing upon the step. and
looking down the valley. his head now
above the level Of the surrounding
weeds. Shelby's teeth clinched tightly
10 keep back an oath. and his eyes
| darkened.
There's no time left" he snid grim
". pointing. "Laud has got his gang
already; we're sure up against "
now"
Even as she stood beside him.
stralnlng her neck 10 see. the ca
dence of q wild whoop came echoing
TO them from the distance; Land and
The Indians were coming across the
fat. riding straight for the cabin. and
lashing their ponies as they came.
"Are-are they after usT' she
sobbed. graspiDg his arm. "are-nre
you sureT"
-No doubt OF u; that's Land lead
/ in 'em. Them Injuns viii do what
ever he says Come In quick we got
10 fight II ont here. reckon there
amt much chance. hut I'm likely 10
get some o. that outfit Hurry. Olga;
/ there amt no time to lose"
He crashed the door shut. md flung