The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-11
CHAPTER VIII.


7 AIRY Ostend Judge correct
ly that the bloodhounds were at
least two miles distant. He
pondered only an instant. Then
- he decided that it was impos-
sible to get away and escape the at
tack of the hounds at this time; and
that the Spaniards would follow close
upon the heels of the hounds.
There are as many as three of the
brutes, Binnie,'' he said quietly.
They will necessarily come from
the same direction and near together.
We have five or six minutes to make
ready and receive them. Then there
will be a little longer interval before
the Spaniards will be here. You must
meet the hounds, Binnie, and 1 will do
what can to prepare a rough breast
work Of logs while you stand guard. If
you need any help / will come to you.
Take my rifle and your own. Give a
good account of yourself. We are in a
tight place. 1 will not deny that; but
that will be something to talk about
hereafter; now 60"
At the word Harry Ostend, who had
marvellous strength, began to make a
breastwork of the fallen branches of
the forest trees, using a thick fragment
of limb as a sledge to drive stakes
into the soft and yielding ground.
Meanwhile Binnie. taking a position on
trail for some distance, that they had
cut through the forest with their ma
chetes, drew up q log as a rest for his
rifles and there awaited the attack of
the ferocious bloodhounds, whose bay
ing gave evidence that they drew
steadily nearer. Another person took
position quietly beside him. 1t was
Julia.
Back. girl commanded Binnie: "the
danger here is too much; think if you
should be torn by the hounds"
L will stay right here, Binnie," was
the determined answer.
Binnie looked in the girls eyes and
50 w there reflected courage and dar-
ing equal to his own.
you are a heroine, Julia If ever
there was one" he said warmly; but I
already know that. Hark, do you not
hear the brutes crashing through the
forest?"
Binnie was not mistaken. The wind
was blowing directly toward the hounds
and their scent guided them. The re-
suit was that the hounds did not fol-
low the trail when they drew near. but
took the shortest route, which was
through the thicket.
Stand firm, julia" said Binnie.
and act quickly that we may not be
taken at a disadvantage"
1t was now made clear there that
there were three hounds on the trail.
The baying was in three distinct tones.
How fierce 1t sounded. The hounds
had been employed by the Spaniards to
hunt down Cuban refugees To make
them eager for the work the brutes
were kept half starved. They were as
dangerous and as savage as tigers.
Their speed was terrifying as thew
darted forth in search Of victims.
The Spanish captain, who had been
so well tricked by Julia. had released
hot g.
and had said grimly as he did so:
THE Americans will have busy time
trying to fool these dogs"
Hardly had Binnie cautioned Julia
as to her duty when the three hounds
dashed, in murderous pack, through
terrific leaps. their red mouths wide
open, showing their horrible teeth
They were on Binnie's side of the for
est, and they rushed at him ferocious-
ly. each trying to outstrip the other
Their yells made the forest ring with
startling echoes.
Binnie was kneeling, and held one
ready rife in his iron grasp. His other
ri e was not foot away. A sbarn re-
port of a rifle was followed by a vein
of pain. One hound had been hif nv
Binnie. Not for :; second faItered The
brute, but on he came, limping along
with less speed, but as fiercely intent
upon tearing Binnie to pieces as before
The first hound was crowded aside nv
one of his companions, a great animal
as large as young lioness. Binnie
was ready and fired the second time
What a shot he made. The bullet en-
tered squarely into one eye OF tba
hound and pierced his brain. and he fell
dead The third hound at this paused
but hardly for an infant Binnie drew
a bead on the brute enemy. His rife
missed fire-missed Just when the sec
onds seemed to be fraught with life
and death.
Before he could rise the hound was
upon him, and its sharn teeth were
buried in the flesh Of his right arm.
Binnie knew, while he had passed
thro1 n many perils, and he had faced
without fiinching many dangers. that