The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1936-10-28
Chapter 81
DEATH STRUGGLE

DEATH STRUGGLE
WITH that it seemed the mans
" patience came to an end. His
large fists clenched: he took half a
pace forward; and at that Mahony's
pistol came out of his pocket and he
pointed 1t at the mans stomach.
Better not" he said CURLY.
At the sight Of the pistol pointed
at him the Irishman paused. But only
for a moment.
$50 that's the game-twist me out
OF me money and threaten me with
gun!" he exclaimed in a tone
OF outraged establishment. Shoot,
then, me foine gintleman. II you've
the pluck. and If you kill me, may
you swing for it"
At that. with an agility astonish.
ing in a man of his bulk. he darted
suddenly sideways. in order to con-
fuse Mahoney's aim. and then
sprang. his huge hands outstretched
towards Mahony's. throat.
Mahony did not IRE: .Iffe last
thing he wanted way the noise of a
shot. which would attract the at.
tention of the whole .neighborhood.
including the police. to the house.
He ducked quickly under those
outstretched hands. stepped nimbly
to one side. and slipped the pistol
back into his pocket. Then. as his
opponent turned for another spring
Mahony stepped in and brought his
right over in a crisp. hard punch to
the mans, face.
The mans head went back: be-
fore he could recover himself Ma
hony had hit him again with the
left in the stomach and the right in
the Jaw. both good solid hefty
punches that might easily have
knocked an ordinary man out.
The big Irishman took them with.
out fiinching: then he gathered him
self together and sprang again.
Once more Mahony slipped light.
ly to one side: again his fist
thudded into his opponents face.
The big mans right cheek was cut /:
one of his eyes was fast closing: his
lower lip was considerably swollen.
It seemed that he had learnt his les.
son: he no longer INDUCED in those
mad rushes.
Instead he adopted a half crouch.
Ing attitude nd=begant to advance
quite slowly across the room to.
wards Mahony. watching him like a
cat the while. His intention was evi
dent: he meant to crowd Mahony in
i to a corner where he could pen him
and get grip on him.
But Mahony was not having any
He realized very we'll that once he
came to grips with his herculean
opponent he would stand little
chance.
Smack, smack, his fists landed In
rapid succession in the mans face
and he slipped away out of range
But the freshman. 1t seemed. also
knew something OF boxing: though
he could not avoid the blows alto
gether. he managed to turn his head
slightly. so that none Of them
reached vital spot.
Slowly. remorselessly. he shuffied
after Mahony. taking all the punish.
ment that Mahony dealt out to him.
waiting his chance to come to close
quarters and get grip on Mahony
with those huge hands.
HIS chance came as Mahony
i i stepping back quickly ont .ot
range. caught his heel in the edge
OF rug. For moment Mahony stag
gered. off his balance. and in that
moment the freshman leaped.
Mahony twisted desperately. try
ing to get out of range: ne almost
succeeded. but not quite. The Irish
. iCit SUI d SOOu grip vi
Mahony's coat: With a sudden jerk
he drew Mahony near to him: and
his right hand. like snake striking
closed round Mahony's throat.
"Now. me foine gintleman, we car
continue the argument more com
fortably." said the Irishman in q
triumphant tone.
For moment. in that tremendous
grip. Mahony felt utterly helpless
He. struggled. hitting out with bott
fists at his opponents body. but Il
was like battering at brick wall
The Irishman was smiling: his eve:
were blazing with light IF victor
ious exultation. Mahony's struggles
grew weaker.
And then the rug which had beer
his undoing proved his salvation. As
the two men struggled. the loose
rug. which had become thoroughly
rucked up. became entangled be
tween their feet. Still holding Ma