Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-01-31
CHAPTER LII.
THE FIGURE UNDER. THE F1RE-aLAss.

taC OuI
"We must cut our way through them
II even they number hundredw
"Aye, We must, but We must do nothing
rash; we must find way to get out on the
other side, and we may fool them yeti"
"Frank was informed of the situation, and
his reply was:
"Now shall have my revengel"
"Let me have one Of the bags" said Tom
Jalakei, "and you two with the girl 20 up
tho stairs; you may escape by one Of tho
windows; make your way to the wall aud be
off, If do not follow, never mindl'
II will not leave you, Tom; if you fall
I'll fall beside YOU"
Then send Midgely with the girl; we
have not o second to spars!"
"You come with us.'
II will, but not till the last moment,
may make diversion in favor Of Frank and
the girl"
AT this moment a shout arose. The
spearmen had spied their prey, and rushed
forward
"Now is the time," said Tom, and his
hand was thrust into the bag, from which
he drew an object which he sent into the
midst of the advancing spearmen. An
instant lator o report was heard, followed by
yells and groans and tie utmost confusion.
The cunning halfbreed had cast hand
grenade amidst the advancing Persians.
The effect was perfectly fearful. The
missiles were made 10 the most effective
manner, aud at least a dozen spearment fell
victims to the explosion. Taking advau-
tage of the confusion, Tom Jaakei retroated
and led the way for his friends. The man
appeared to possess sasacity that was
simply astonishing. One would have
thddght that he had.been familiar with the
building all his life. He found window
loading out upon the vcrandah roof, and
was just on the point of bidding his friends
follow him through, when fash illumi-
mated the darkness. A report followed,
and bullet crashed close to the half. breeds
head.
"Hang the luck, we are in for it now!"
was his exclamation, as he sprang back
from the door. In the meantime, the
Persians, who had been thrown into confu-
sion BY tho exploding grenade, had reco-
vered from their fright, and were advancing
up the stairway. Walton Sprague and
Frank would have rushed to met them,
but Tom tcld them to wdtoh the window,
and he wauld fix the fellows advancing up
the stairs. Walton Sprague advanced to
the window when second time single
sho. came. The hu!e. peesed within &C
inch of tho deteotive's head. Frank
Midgely had. his carbine with him, and
dropping upon his knees, he glanced around
the framework of the window. He was
Watching for the riaemnn. who had nearly
cost them two lives.
"Wa!ton, show yourself moment" he
said.
The detective understood the dodge, and
exposed himself An Instant later q fash
and report followed. The last time, how
ever, it did not come from tho garden
Franks ruso had: worked we'll. phe secret
shooter in the garden, the moment Walton
Sprague showed himsolf at the window,
incautionsly exposed himself, and the next
moment he lay bleeding amidst the shrub
berry, with bullet hole through his, bosom.
In the meantime, Tom Jalakei was having
small sized skirmisb on his own account.
He had waited until the spearmen were we'll
wedged in the hallway when bangt went a
second hand grenade. A second and
third quickly followed, when q saeno of
confusion ensued which even regular
battlefield could not have furnished. The
men shouted and yelled, while mingled with
AhIbu VICIOUS now cRmo tGe Snfnl plefclug
screams Of terrified women. The spearmen
lad boen repu'sed. No persuasion could
induce them to enter that fatal doorway
again. Suddenly, however, Tom saw a
sightthat filed him with horror. An enomy
had appea,ed which he could not combat.
A rod glare illuminated the hallway. One
glance sufioed to establish tho fact that the
explosives had set tho light materials
Of whioh tho summer harem was built on
fire.
"By gingo!' exclaimed Tom, who some.
times INDUCED in Yankee slang phrases,
"we'll be roasted like mice in cheese box"
Tom rejoined his friends. Already they
had discovered that the building was on
FIRE.
owe must go, through the windows" |"
said Tom, adding, "Follow nae and will
load the way"
The halfbreod was not aware that the
rifeman had been shot, and volunteered to
lead the way so as to draw the fro on him
self and save his companions. The party
were soon on tho slanting roof Of the veran.
dab.
"Givo me the girl andiI will leap TO the
ground with her." said Tom.
He was moment too late, however, with
bis generous Offer Walton Sprague had
caught the girl 10 his arms, and had
already made the leap. A fearful scoae