Part 18 (2/2)

A crowd had gathered in the street, with attention concentrated as if for a dog-fight, and Kelley, pus.h.i.+ng his way through the circle, suddenly confronted Mink, who, as the object of interest, was busied in rolling a cigarette, while his Winchester leaned against a post. To this fact Kelley probably owed his life, for in the instant between the gambler's recognition and the s.n.a.t.c.hing up of his rifle Kelley was able to catch and depress the muzzle of the gun before it was discharged. The bullet pa.s.sed low, entering the wooden sidewalk close to his foot. ”I'll take that gun,” he said, and would have immediately overpowered his adversary had not several of the by-standers furiously closed in upon him. Single-handed he was forced to defend himself against these, his fellow-citizens, as well as against Mink, who struggled like a wildcat for the possession of his gun. One man seized the marshal from behind, pinioning his arms. Another hung upon his neck. A third dogged at his knees, a fourth disarmed him.

Battered, bruised, covered with blood and dirt, the marshal fought like a panther weighed down with hounds. Twice he went to earth smothered, blinded, gasping, but rose again almost miraculously, still unconquered, until at last, through the sudden weakening of the men on his right arm he gained possession of the rifle, and with one furious sweep brought it down on the gambler's head. Another circling stroke and his a.s.sailants fell away. With blazing eyes he called out: ”_Get back there now! Every man of you!_”

Breathing hard, he looked them over one by one. ”You're a pretty bunch of citizens,” he said, with cutting contempt. ”You ought to be shot--every man jack of you!” Then glancing down at the wounded gambler at his feet, he added: ”Some of you better take this whelp to a doctor.

He needs help.”

Lemont and another of Mink's friends took up the unconscious man and carried him into the drug-store, and Kelley followed, with a feeling that all the town was against him, and that he must re-arm himself for a night of warfare. His revolver was gone, and to replace it and to gain a breathing-s.p.a.ce he retreated to his room, his endurance all but exhausted.

He had no regret for what he had done. On the contrary, he took a savage satisfaction in having at last ended Mink, but as he hurriedly buckled on his cartridge-belt, he foresaw the danger ahead of him in Mink's friends, who, he knew, would get him if they could.

The patter of feet in the hall and a knock at the door startled him.

”Who's there?” he demanded, catching up his rifle.

”It's Rosa,” called a girlish voice. ”Let me in.”

”Are you alone?”

”Yes. Open! Quick!”

He opened the door, gun in hand. ”What is it, Rosie?” he gently asked.

”They're coming!” she answered, breathlessly.

”Who're coming?”

”That saloon crowd. They're almost here!”

Other footsteps sounded on the stairs. ”Run away, girl,” said Kelley, softly. ”There's going to be trouble--”

Rosie pushed him back into the room. ”No, no! Let me stay! Let me help you fight!” she pleaded.

While still he hesitated, Mrs. Mink, a short, squat woman with eyes aflame with hate, rushed through the doorway and thrust a rifle against Kelley's breast. Quick as a boxer Rosa pushed the weapon from the woman's hands and with desperate energy shoved her backward through the door and closed it.

”Run--run!” she called to the marshal.

But Kelley did not move, and something in his face turned the girl's face white. He was standing like a man hypnotized, every muscle rigid.

With fallen jaw and staring eyes he looked at the weapon in his hand. At last he spoke huskily:

”Girl, you've saved my soul from h.e.l.l. You surely have!” He s.h.i.+vered as if with cold, rubbing his hands stiffly. ”Yes,” he muttered, ”a second more and I'd 'a' killed her--killed a woman!”

The sound of a fierce altercation came up the hall. Cautious footsteps were heard approaching, and at last a voice called out, ”h.e.l.lo, Kelley!

You there?”

”I am. What's wanted of me?”

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