Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-02-20
CHAPTER XXI.
A Blank Adventure.

lantern, who hid Capel with his own
hand as the light was flashed upon the
bed and into the corners of the room,
and then turned off.
Gail right, boys" was whispered;
and a man swung himself into the
room. 'tBe quick, and shut the win
dow"
A second man crept softly in, and
the third was half in, when he slip
ped, threw out his hand to save him
self, struck against one of his COM
panions, and drove him back against
the curtain, and upon Capel.
Light! Bankers! some one here"
Capel heard the words, saw the
flash, and struck at the hand that held
it,
The blade fell heavily upon the
lantern, and dashed it to the floor
where it went out
Raising the sword, he struck again;
but, as he did so, one of the men
sprung at him, and the blow that fell
was upon the fellows shoulder, and
with the hilt of the sword.
Capel was borne back by the mans
fierce spring; his feet became en-
tangled in the curtain, and he fell
heavily, with his adversary upon him.
"Ouick! Norris" whispered a voice.
mo, no. Curse you. Shut the win
dow. There's only one. Where's your
matches? Quick, light the glim! All,
would you! Lie still, and bite that.
You just move again and I'll pull the
trigger"
The barrel of a revolver had been
thrust between Capel's teeth; and as
he lay back with the man on his chest,
half stunned, helpless, and despairing,
he saw indistinctly the figure against
the window, heard the sash slide down,
and the darkness was complete as the
curtain was drawn over the panes.
Then there was the faint streak Of
light as a match was struck; the
bull's-eye lantern was picked up and
relit, and the bright rays once more
played all about the room.
The man who held it then went to
the door and listened.
tits all right" he whispered. 'FYou
in this room. These curtains would
suffocate a trumpet. Here, you,' he
cried to the third man." don't stand
shivering like that. Take that cary
ing-knife out of his hand. Pull the
trigger, Dick, if he stirs."
This to the man kneeling on Capel's
chest.
Capel lay absolutely powerless at
that moment; but, as the third fellow
caught him by the wrist, the young
man wrenched his head on one side,
and heaved himself up, so that he
partially dislodged the ruffian who held
him down At the same time he
swung the saber round, driving the
third back, and striking the principal
adversary so sharp blow that he slip
ped a side, and Capel leaped to his
feet
At that moment the light was turned
off, and there was rush made to get
beyond his reach.
Capel also took advantage of the to-
the weapon ready for cut, should
an attack be made.
AS he stood there, painting, a low
whisper rose from the direction of the
door, and he just caught it's import
"Give me the light"
There was click directly after, and
then from about the middle Of the
room the dazzling light of the bulls
eye shone out full upon Cape1 as he
stood with appraised sword, while his
assailants were in the dark.
"Now, then" said the voice. which
he recognized as that of a man who
had held the pistol to his mouth,
throw down that tool
''Give up, you scoundrel!" cried Ca
pei. "You can't escape"
Cant WEI" said the man between
his teeth. "More can't you. Now, then,
will you throw down that sword?"
NO." said Capel, furiously. you've
walked into a trap, so give up"
eco on" said the voice Of the lesser
man.
At that moment there was a bright
flash of light, sharp report, and
Capel felt a sensation as if he had
been struck violent blow on the
left shoulder, which half spun him
round, while the round glistening
disk of light seemed to have darted
back to the side Of the bed.
Half stunned, but full Of fight, Capel
turned and made for the light once
more, when there was another flash
a quick shot, and this time the blow
seemed to have fallen on the top of his
head, and stunned and helpless, the
sword dropped from his hand, and he
fell on a chair, and from that on to
the floor.
you've killed him! You've killed
him!'
Good job, too. Think I wanted my
skin turned into pork cracking with
that sword? Hold your row, will yer,
Or"
eve shall be taken and hung. Oh,
my arm!"
''Look here, my dear pal" said the
little man, eff you want to peach, just