Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-03-01

A-g I H''A'A ""
In tho burly peasant he EnCw the Amot-
can,
forced stornforemnst to whore tho Ameri-
can had waded ~ no dared for his burden
u score OF newcomers made rush for her.
Once Curtis shouted to them to keep
back He might hove shouted to the gale
TO cease. Before hu could get u hold OF the
countess tho lauroh was beslcgod on every
side, and Curtis wasted no mora words.
"Strntchers, my lGdsl' was his grim or.
der as his own blado whipped out. His end
was within his grasp, and he was hard
tncd out OF all mercy TO grip 1t,
The bluejacl;ets began laying about
them with II will; head after head went
down 10 rise no more and to serve as n
fOOthOld beneath the water for others that
came ON continually, About the storrSor,
Qgh was widest. Twice tho American
was hung down as he held the cnuntes- up;
Onco she WAS fairly torn from Curtis
grasp, and when Mt last no guu ms arm
well about her lie could do no more for n
man that clunR tn her skirts. In vain he
cursed the fellow to loose his hold; ho gave
no heed but chung with hands aud teeth
In desperation Curtis let go his sword
and drew u pistol, but there was no need,
for all at once tho mans arms flew up, his
teeth opened with a scream, and bloody
knife was flashing In tho Americans
hand, Arms had not vet been used, and
o howl Of eIecration went up MS even the
most desperate shranli back. Ina moment
tho countess was aboard, ncross Curtis
knees, and tho American got an elbow
over tho Runwalc
sF(,iyn WAY in1c1'f cpind ff,rtt,
Ono after another the oars laborlously
moved their way through the human lit.
ter that numbered them, and with au an
cry roar tho attack was senowed upon the
stern. The Americans knife had cut tho
last thread of restraint. Every ono took
TO his steel, aud those on board who had
mono soi7cd boat hooks or anything and
fought like devils, while tho sailors strain.
ed To row.
Still tho boat could not win free and
tho bullets were falling th,Hk about 1t.
Two mon had boon struck already Half
n dozen soldiers were clingiug to her aft
IN u sort OF frenzy. Others had hold Of
them behind, and with the heavy drag on
nor she was shipping water ~ every wave.
Curtis struck their kunCklCs with tho
hit OF his sword for words were 10 use
and hardly to bu heard In the urrogr. hut
IT did lltilo good. lie seemed to hayo
strained his arm In lifting the countess
and could not hit hard enough, I'D that tho
tellowd chung, In spite OF his blows, ms fast
MS ever. suddenly blade flashed past his
oyeH down upon the gunwale there was a
piercing scream, md u poor wretch throw
up two squirting stumps Of arms.
Sick ut tho sight, the seaman at the
htroKc oar sprnnR up md knocked over
board tho man who had dealt tho ont
Others boat him under with their onrs
but the horror Of IL seemed TO paralvye tho
rest of the assailants The boat was freed
and she urched forward under the strain
ing strokes OF tho crow.
lhcy were laden TO the gunyale md
progress was very SLOW. Tho wator nil
about was dotted with swimmers. who
made mad clutches at tho oars, and one
atter another was sent under with n
smashing blow.
Anu 50 they got out NJ last, tho Amerl.
can defending the stern with tho threat Of
his dripping knife md Curtis irving ia
slhsh across tho countess body at every
ono who yonturcd to come near.
III was only Just In time. So close had
ihe B'ues Drawn down that tho Seduisnpte
had been compelled to cease hor fire. and
WIN Iomu Nells they were rushing tho viii
iage with their bayonots fixed.
IL was this last Curtis sayy of IT, for ba
turned sick and looked away. Tho SIGHT
OK Inc countess sweet face lying on Ills
arm drawn and pinnhed MS il was with
snhering- was like medicine to his dis.
gust But tho very dcllcacy of its features.
hl'er INC savage passion Ito had boon see.
ing ana the whlteness of her fnco beside
'ho blood that had como from somewbere
pi hcr urcss seemed to raise up In all its
nlaokness the sombcr background bls
ioVe, ahu 1t was In u kind OF stunor thnt
no directed tho boat. not knowing from
ono minute 10 another when a, sen Nnnld
poop her and put an end to IL all II
seemed impossible they could l,,.c,, nnoat
long enough TO reach the sloop.
iho waves grew higher every Iepgtb
'hey adyancod-it was rottlnu dark oTnin
NO could hardly see the dancing Sedu-
,hhte-t was SO blncli-blaok eycrywhere
uut where tho SKY burned red. and thcn
VI sudden ho knew that all was LOST,
out u me inky sou old Nine. Farochols
VIII Whi'o hnir and wicked eyes cnme IN,
she was grinnine her bony arms oltebsd
,ne rudder--it was useless to thluk of
heeping tho launch aloat-she was drag.
glng them under deeper and deeper. All
more was no light at nll but the spark In
her burning eyes. -''''A