Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-12-24


he would not die thus and leave the girl
helpless. Where was itf He WINS blind.
He could ses nothing but her white face.
He must get free-ah, he knew howl They
4 thought that he was done. See, his head
fell, when suddenly he reared himself up,
and his arm heaved in the air. Crash it
came full on the forehead of Xavier, that
In Its turn was piilowed on the stony
7 earth. The grip slackened. Crash again,
a fearful and dcspairing blow. Leonard's
] throHt was free, and the air rushed into
his bursting lungs. Now he could see the
knife and grasp it, but there was no need
tomse Ii. The great man beneath him
! flung his arms wide, shivered and was
still.
Then IL was, while men paused wonder
i ing ut those swful blows, that Juanna,
! mindful of her dcliverer's bidding, turned
and fed, sick at heart, but unhindercd, to
the edge of the ditch opposite the draw
bridge. Otter also rushed up and dragged
Leonard from the ground.
Wow" he cried, "a good fight and a
great blowl Dead, by my fathers spirit
dead. and no touch of STEEL Awake, my
father, awake, for If the boar is down the
pigs remain"
Leonard heard his words dimly and
knew their import. With an effort he
ceased to sta2ger and rested his weight
upon the dwarf, much rs n man might
lean upon some sturdy post. His breath
came back to him, and his mind cleared.
He looked round and saw Juanna stand
ing near the bridge, like one who hesitates
whether to fly or stay.
''Sirs," gasped Leonard, II have
fought, and have won. Now let me GO
in peace with the girl. Is the man nlive'''
There was n ring of men round the body
~ nd In ha;r L l.,
priest Francisco. At this moment he rose
and said:
1T is useless to minister to him. He is
dead
The slavcrs looked at Leonard with awe
not unmixCd with admiration. Who had
aver seen suci, n thing-that one whose
strCngf. had been n byword should be
slain IN ihc naked fist: They forgot that
it is comparatively easy to kill q man
whose head rests upon n stone.
Presently, however, their wonder gave
way To rage. Xavier had been a favorite
among them, and they were not minded
that he should die unavenged. So they
drew round Leonard, scowling and ours
ing.
Stand hack. - he said, land let me
pass. l have fought the man fairly. Had
wished to take advantage of him should
not have used this!" And for the first
time he remembered and drew his colt,
the sight of which cooled their ardor some
what, for they gave way. Perhaps you
will give me an arm, father" Leonard
went on, speaking to the priest, who was
standing by. II am much shaken"
Francisco complied, and they started
toward JuanDa, Otter guarding the rear
with his saber. Before they had gone ten
yards, however, after a hasty Consultation
with one of his captains Pcrcira waddlcd
toward them.
'Seize that man. he shouted. He has
Killed the worthy Dom Xavier. Having
first insultcd him, he has killed him by
violence, and he must answer for it. ~
y dozen ruffians sprang forward at his
bidding, only 10 be met by the saber and
pistol of Otter, with neither of which
were they anxious to make closer acquaint-
ancc. Leonard saw that the position was
very grave, and II thought came into his
mind. You wish to escape from this
place, father" no said rapidly TO the
priest
"Ycs," answered Francisco. lit is n
hell"
Then lead me as swift as you may to
that bridge. am hurt and weak, and
there is sucCor beyond
As he spoke the drawbridCc, which was
not ten yards away, fell with "A crash.
Run across. Juanna Rodd,' cried
Leonard in English.
She hcsitatcd, then obcycd. 1t seemed
10 Leonard that the look upon her face
said, How can leave youf''
Now, father" saiI Leonard, make n
rush for it," And leaning on the priest $
shoulder he stumbled toward the bridge.
But he would never have reached IL had 1t
not been for Otter.
'.Treason.'' roarctl Pereirg. stop him
Who let down the bridge
\ man came on to the attack. 1t was
the same young captain that Leonard had
offered TO fight before the auction. In his
hand was n knife already upliftcd to fall
on Leonard's back, when Ottcr's saber
flashed, and the man went down.
Seize the bridge and hold it, roareli
Pereira again.
Wind up, wind up" yelled Otter in
answer as with sabcr and pistol he held
back the mob.
Those on the farther side obcycd with
such n will that Leonard and tho priest
rolled down the slantinG planks.
Otter cried Leonard Good tod.
| he will be killed.
BY way of answer Otter fired the last
barrel of his pistol. Then with yell, be
fore they could close upon HIM, he sprang
| like n wildcat straight at the iron chains
| of the bridge, which were used to secure
| it in its place when needful. At the mo
ment they hung four feet or moro above
his head, but he graspcd them, shouting
to Soa to hoist away.
y man attempted to seize his legs, but
Otter kicked him in the face, and he fell
into the water. Next second he was out
of their reach aad rapidly rising high into
| the air. Some threw knives and some
fired pistol shots after him, hut none of
these touched him
All, Yellow Devil he cried as he
| swung, look behind you. There is an
other devil, ssellower and fiercer than
| you" Pereira turned and all the compa-
ny with him, and at that moment, with a
! cracking roar, n vast sheet of flame burst
| up from the morass. The reeds had
caught ut last and in good earnest, and
the strengthening wind was bringing tho
fire down llDon Them