The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-04-12

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from my violent exertions, and thus make
a better fight for my life, for knew now,
the fend meant to kill me! To my in
tense relief, instead Of following me, he
sprang up with a cunning lear and COM
menced throwing over the sand bags.
One! and we started up faster. Two!
faster still. Three! and we fairly jumped.
Jove! was there no way to stop him?
Four! faster, and faster; and my head
began to spin.
AT this moment, my eyes lighted upon
the valve rope close by me. As he raised
the fifth bag, his back being partly to-
wards me / quickly united the rope, and
pulled the valve wide open, and secured
it there!
Immediately there was a great whist
ling sound overhead, as the gas escaped;
and in few moments the balloon came
to stand still. Zanby, being busy throw
ing over the last bag, did not at once no
tice it, nor that the car was slowly COM
mencing to descend. l watched him mar
rowly, and as he threw over the last bag
Gall the time muttering to himself and
laughing in the same horrible unnatural
fashion), he stopped for moment,
reached his arm far out over the side of
the car, and stood SO for few seconds,
then, quickly glanced up at the valve!
knew I must now prepare for the
final struggle.
He hesitated moment, and then
rushed upon me, his eyes blazing, and
with fendish yell. caught me by the
throat with grip Of iron, his two bead
like little eyes glowing into mine.
Putting forth all my strength I broke
his hold OF my throat, and by sheer force,
brought him to his knees; but in so doing
l came down myself, and over we rolled
locked in each others embrace. I could
feel the car shooting through space faster
and faster in its descent and a glance at
the silk Bag overhead told me it would
soon collapse. I realized l must reach
the valve rope and close the valve, or we
would soon be dashed to pieces on the
ground. At this moment, had one hand
at his throat and with the other held his
right hand.
Suddenly, with mighty effort, he
wrenched his arm free Of my grasp; and
the next second, l felt his fingers close
upon my throat, with grip like wise
at the same time, his right knee pressed
with terrible force upon my chest. My
breath was coming in gasps, and my eyes
felt bullying from their sockets | knew
my action must be quick or l was lost
Like flash though of my black jack ir
my hip pocket!
Using all the strength l possessed
half rolled over, carrying him with me
at the same time reached my hand quick
ly into my hip pocket, bringing forth the
weapon.
With mighty swing. at arms length
struck at those two wicked little eyes
He saw the blow descending, and threw
UP his left arm to ward it off; but such
was the force with which l impelled it
| that as his arm struck my wrist, thu
| weapon was dashed out of my hands ane
| saw it crash between those two fendisf
eyes! With an awful cry, he threw up hi
arms, and rolled over unconscious
| Struggling to my feet like drunken
man, and all in a tremor, released thu
| valve rope, and instantly the valve CLOSED
and our descent at that frightful speed
ceased.
CHANGING hastily over the side of car,
saw we were not more than three hundred
yards from the ground, and passing ovel
a large piece OF woods. | quickly tiee
Zanby's hands and feet and as the cal
| gently settled down in the tree tops,
opened wide the valve again, and afte
much rending and tearing OF the balloon
the basket struck the ground with a ter
rible crash!
And woke up! finding myself on til,
floor OF my room, the bed almost torn t.
pieces, and one Of my shoes tight,
clutched in my hand!
| Scar? Yes, this scar over my eve i
where struck the floor, head first: as
| came through the treesl