Year: 1873

L caught sight of the gang, eight in
number, and with three sailors in tow.
1 felt qualmish, but 1 knew that it
wouldn't do to give way to that feeling,
and so seeing my gentleman there in
the midst as large as life, 1 put on my
boldest face, bounced into the alley, and
shutting the door, placed my back
taken by surprise, they acted cleverly
enough; they didn't know which of
them was wanted, and neither of them
said word or moved an inch, but
noticed my man pick up a beer-pot
and make pretence of slipping at it,
though I could see easy enough that his
real move was to be ready to fling it at
my head if it should turn out that he
was the man wanted.


1 caught his eye, and in an off-handed
tone said


then but take my advice, don't do any
thing in the pot-throwing line. 1t will
only make things worse for you, for the
house is surrounded, and there are men
enough in reserve to take houseful of
you.


"I shall make it death or glory this
time. )" he answered, "and so here goes"
and as he spoke the words, he threw
the pot as hard as he could, and then
made dash for window at the end of
the alley. The pot Just skinned my
ear, and then I was on him like pan
ther, and dragged him back just as he
had got about half out the window. I
downed him, and had all but mastered
him, when one of the gang, that had
| popped out as soon as soon as my back
was from the door, came running back
to tell the others that it was all CANNON
| L. 1Na1r, 10 ypQ
enough for them. Without another
word said, they made a rush towards
me, and, though I still held my man,
my heart grew cold, prayer flashed
through my mind, for L felt that I was
face to face with death. I knew that
they'd stick at nothing, and that the
very same gang had kicked a man to
death only a few months before. But I
was in luck.


| I would have called to the sailors for
help, but they looked helplessly drunk,
and two of 'em was, but the third, as 1T
happened, was only half-seas over. He
was big lump of fellow, a Yankee
mate, as 1 knew afterwards, and about
could be. AS they sprang forward, so
did he, in an aggravating sort of way.
Gentlemen, fair play is jewel, and I
like to see it respected-and SO will.
They are man to man, and pretty fairly
matched, and if the officer can take him
he shall" Whether or not he would
have fired at them, they must have be-
ieved so, for they skunk back. All the
same, they had done a good thing for
their mate.


While this had been going on had,
without knowing it, slackened my hold,
and my man putting out all his strength
in sudden move, threw me off, and got
on to his feet, and before L could close
with him again, had drawn life pre-
server. He made dash at me with it,
and aimed crushing blow at my head.


Fortunately it only reached my left
shoulder, but even there it was a Grip.
pier for the time being, for I felt my
arm drop useless at my side. He stag.
gered bit from partly missing his blow
and before he could recover himself
was alongside of him, and he went ovel
like ninepin, and held up his hands te
have the bracelets put on.


It was only about two minutes jot
altogether, but it was mighty tough one
1 can tell you, and dangerous one
too /; and what say is, that when people
talk about policemen, they should re
member that they never know the day
or hour when, in the way of duty, the.
may have to tackle job in which theil
life is at stake.-CosselpS Magazine.