The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-02-03

| CACIteu NOlceS SOuDueu WltnOuC
then blows resounded against IT,,
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 flash of flame, sharp report,
and Westcott sprang aside, gripping
the back of IL chair. The gunman sank
into shapeleSSncSs on the floor as the
chair hurtled through the air straight
at Enright's head
!! With 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 motionlcSS just as he had dropped; !;
; Enright was in one corner. dazed, un-
nrrved red cash across his fore
head, from which blood dripped, the
revolver, struck from his fingers, ye<
smoking 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
Savagcly hostile faces of these new
enemies. Lacy, staggering as though
| drunk, managed to attain his feet,
, hate, desire for revenge, yielding him
! strength. 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
/ WcStcott. 81 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
! lips, and the excited crowd surged af.
ter, growing anger. Then the mass
| of them seemed suddenly rent aSunder,
and the marshal plowed his way
through heedlessly, his hat gone, and
} blue-barreled gun In either hand. He
swept the muzzle Of one of these into
the bartenders face menacingly, his
eyes searching the maddened crowd.
"Wait minute, you" he command.
ed sharply. "I reckon I've got some.
thing to say bout this. Put down that
axe, Mike, or yell never draw another
| glass O. beer in this camp. You know
me, lads, an I never draw except fer
| business. Shut your mouth, Lacy !;
don't touch that gun, you fool l am
1 N hor hnrn-fhiS TO tnI
there is going to be any lynching done,
! 1T will be after you get me. Stand
back, now; all Of you-yes, get out
into that barroom. l mean you, Mike {!
! This man is my prisoner, and I'll de-
fend him. Ay! I'll do more. I'll let
him defend himself. Here, Westcott,
pick up your gun on the floor. Now.
stand here with me! We're going out
through that bunch, and if one Of
those coyotes puts paw on you, let
him have it,"
The crowd made way, reluctantly
enough. growing curses, but with no
man among them sufficiently reckless
to attempt resistance They lacked
leadership, for the little marshal new
er once took his eye off Lacy.
At the door he turned, walking back.
ward, trusting in Westcott to keep
their path clear, both leveled revolvers
ready for any movement.
He had nut one object before him
to get his prisoner safely outside into
the open. Beyond that he would trust
to luck, and a fair chance. His grey
eyes were almost black as they gleam-
! ed over the leveled revolver barrels,
and his clipped mustache fairly bris-
tied.
They were far from free even out
side the swinging doors and in the
sunshine. Already rumOr Of what
had occurred had spread like wildfire,
and men were on the street, eager
enough to take some hand in the af-
fray. A few were already about the
steps, while others were running rapid
ly toward them, excited. but uncertain
1t was this uncertainty which gave
the little marshal his one slender
chance. His eyes swept the crowd,
but there was no face visible on whom
he could rely in this emergency.
There was scarcely an instant of hesi-
fancy, HIS quick Searcnlllg eyes survey
ing the scene. and then seeking the
face Of his prisoner.
"Willing to fight this out, Jim?" he
asked shortly.
"Iou bet, Dan; WHAT'S the plan?'
"Tne big rock I'm Bear creek. We
can hold out there until dark. Per-
haps therell be some men to help us by
that time; if not, we might crawl away
i'm the night. Take the alley and turn
at the hotel. Don't let anybody stop
you. Christopher Columbus, I hate to
run from such cattle, but it's our only
chance"
There was no time to waste. They
we're not yet at the mouth of the al
ley when the infuriated pursuers burst
through the saloon doors, cursing and
shouting