Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-01-20

1t opened instantly. and big Mike.
closely followed by another man.
pushed forward into the room West
was trapped, helpless; one man pitted
against three. He backed slowly away.
brushed back the disheyeIed hair from
his eyes, watching them warily,
every animal instinct alert.
Mike took one comprehensive glance
at the scene. at the overturned chair
the h0lf-open window, the trapped
man crouchlng motionless against
the further wall The meaning of it
all was plain, and his har-room train
Ing gave quick insight as to the part
he was to play. He spoke grurly 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 1t out--three
against one Hobart was nearest
to him, his face swollen and red, his
eyes ugly Sits, with teeth snarling he
tween thin lips The fellow laughed
sneerlngly as their glances met.
"Now Wen take care OF you. Cap
tain" he tainted. 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. lie had no
doubt Of the emptiness of his guns
and hurled one straight at Hobarts
head, leaping forward with the other
clutched in his hand straight nj Mike,
who had scarcely time TO fling up one
hand in defense. The thrown weapon
missed its mark by a narrow inch,
striking the wall behinu and falling
Gathering 10 the floor but the other
broke through the big saloonkeeper's
guard, and sent him reeling to his
knees, a gush of blood reddenlng his
hair Again and again West struck
him, driving him prone 20 the floor
before the other two dragged him
away, wreStled the weapon from his
hand, and closed with him IN a des-
perate death grapple.
What followed he never could re-
late. lie 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 out Of
it, but the two graphing him fought
like wildcats. rough bHr-rOom fight
ers, resortlng to any tactics to disable
their opponent Yet II was this that
saved him Crazed as he was, madly
as his brain whirled In the fierce
struggle his long training held SUI
preme-he knew how TO fight. re-
membered instinctively every trick and
guard Again and again his clenched
fist reached its mark, and slowly he
broke away from clGtching hands. and
regained bis feet. Ii was a terrific
struggle, but luck. as well as skill.
was with him. The next he knew, out
Of the red ruck, was that he had Ho-
bart by the throat, jammed against
the wall, with fingers clenched in the
throat. Then he saw the other com
ing, dim. shapeless thing, that he
kicked at viclously. The boot must
have landed, for he was suddenly free
to strike the purple face fronting him.
and fling The helpless rocking body IN
a huddlod mass on the floor
It was over with he had won
breathing space, a chance to see what
was about him. Yet hat was al. The
fellow he had kicked was already up,
doubled from the palm Of the blow,
but with mad eyes glarlng at him. Ho-
bart had struggled 10 hts knees. ours
ing fercely as he swept the blood ont
Of his eyes They would both be on
him ggain IN q minute, more desper-
ate than ever, and the door was locked
there was no chance there The
window Az! there was the window
Death either way, yet d chance: and
he was man enough to take #. He
leaped on the chair. and clambered
up he heard Hobart svear. and felt
the grip Of a hand on his dangling
leg licktBg himself free, and was on
fha ledge He never looked below. or
took time 70 poise for the leap. Heed
less. desperate. scarcely realizing what
he was doing, he flung his body out
over the edge, and fell