The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-11-23

against three. He backed slowly away
brushed back the disheveled hair from
his eyes, watching them warly,
every animal instinct alert
Mike took one comprehensive glance
at the scene, at the overturned chair
the half-open window, the trapped
man crouching motionless against
the further wall. The meaning of II
all was plain, and his bar-room train
Ing gave quick insight as to the part
he was to play. He spoke gruffiy out
Into the dark Of the hall behind him.
an order to some one concealed there;
then shut the door tightly, and faced
West, his head lowered like bull
about to charge. West understood;
he was locked In to fight it out-three
against one. Hobart was nearest
to him, his face swollen and red, his
eyes ugly slits, with teeth snaring he
tween thin lips. The fellow laughed
sneerngly, as their glances met.
"Now We'll take care of you. Cap
tain" he taunted. "Never mind his
guns, Mike; there's not load in
either of them. Give the guy what he
Is looking for. Come on, you terriers ="
But West did not wait. There was
only one chance, and he took Ito
carry the fighting to them. He had no
doubt of the emptiness of his guns,
and hurled one straight at IIobart's
head, leaping forward with the other
clutched in his hand straight at Mike,
who had scarcely time to fling up one
hand In defense. The thrown weapon
missed Its mark by narrow inch,
striking the wall behinu, ana falling
Gathering to the floor, but the other
broke through the big saloonk Ceper'S
guard. and sent him rccling to his
knees, a gush of blood rcddcning his
hair. Again and again West struck
him, driving him prone to the floor
before the other two dragged him
away. wrestled the weapon from mis-
hand. and closed with him in Il das-
perate death graphic.
What followed he never could re-
late. He was mad with fury TO fight.
| A mere animal defending life with
every means at hand. caring nothing
| for either wound or hurt so that he
| won out In the end Mike was ont of
| IT, hut the two graphing him fought
| like wildcats. rough bar-roOm fight
| ers. resOrting to any tactics to disable
| their opponent. Yet ii was this that
! saved him. CraZcd as he WAS madly
rs his brain whirlcd I'm the fierce
struggle. his long training held SUI
| preme-hc knew how to fight. re-
membered instinctively every trick antl
guard. Again and again his clcnched
&C. 4
broke away from clutching hands. and
regained his feet. 1t was Il terrific
struggle, but luck, as we'll as skill
was with him. The next he knew. out
Of the red ruck was that he had IIo.
hart by the throat, jammcd against
the wall, with fingers clenched in the
throat Then he saw the other com.
Ing. dim. shapeless thing. that he
kicked at viciously. The boot must
have landed, for he was suddenly free
to strike the purple face fronting him
and fling the helpless rocking body lr
a huddled mass on the floor
II was over with; he had won
breathing space, q chance to see what
was about him. Yet that rs all. Tho
fellow he had kicked was already UP
doubled from the pain OF the blow
but with mad eyes glaring at him. Ho
bart had struggled to his knees ours
Ing fercely as he swept the blood out
Of his eyes. They would both be ~
him again in minute, more despcr
ate than ever, and the door was locked
there was no chance there. The
window! Ay! there was the window
Death either way, yet II chance; nnt
he was man enough to take It, Ht
leaped on the chair, and clamberet
up; he heard Hobart swear, and fel
the grip Of hand on his dangln.
leg; kicking himself free, and was Or
the ledge. He never looked below, o.
took time to poise for the leap. Heed
less, desperate, scarcely realizing wha
he was doing, he flung his body on
over the edge. and fell.
Go be continued next week.