Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-04

briskly forward, and taking in his own the
Americans extended hand pulled him to
his feet.
Help me into the house, said Curtis
Now bring me that bench"
The man complied after which he went
to the door, and leaning against the jamb
looked wistfully at his fellows. AT one end
OF the room was a fireplace, filled with
ashes and charred pieces of log. 1t was a
primitive concern. the only vent for smoke
being hole in the roof directly overhead
Board platforms on either side the fireplace
served as couches for the family. On one
of these, fiat on his back, lay the wounded
man.
Il wonder how badly he's hurt" unused
Curtis There isn't strength enough left
In him to put up a fight, but there's
enough left to pull trigger if I tackle the
other chap. Hello. he's got the hiccoughs !;
why, that's queer
The man became quiet, and again Curtis
reiapsed into thought, to be disturbed a sec
boards. Looking around, his eyes fell d.
rectly upon the eyes of the Bashi Bazouk
and he felt as though he heard some one
crying for help when no help was near.
both elbows For a moment those blood
shot, praying, awful eyes were fixed upon
Curtis; then they swept the dingy hut and
went out like panel of glass when the
fell backward, fiuttered on the hard planks
and was still. Curtis shuddered.
That wasn't nice" he muttered, but
this is no time for sentiment"
The other Turk stood by the body of his
dead comrade, looking down at the ghast.y
upturned face. Curtis pinched the muscles
of his own right arm with the fingers and
thumb Of his left hand, and moved his dou-
bled fist tentatively up and down.
Where shall l hit him." he unused. I'm
the chin or back of the ear? He must never
know what struck him"
Bending over, he united the long strip of
cloth about his foot and unwound It. TAX
ing 1t in his hands he pulled several times
on 1t, TO test its strength.
Strong hemp rope. You could hang
a man with that
1t was Panayota's blue homespun.
Hey. he called to the Turk. You
there Say. look at this foot of mine, will
you. and see what you think Of it,
The man kneeed Curtis drew back his
arm, but realized that he could not get suf-
hc.ent swing in sitting posture.
on, hold on a minute Let me try the
foot Of the ground and see how it goes
They rose to their feet together, and the
unsuspect!ng soldier reeed backward.
stunned by vicious punch on the temple
/ But he did not fall. and Curtis maddened
by great fear lest he bung.e his opportuni-
". sprang forward and deI4vered a swing
ing, sledsehammer-like blow upon his vic
TINS ear throwing into it the entire
strength OF his body. The Turk dropped
like an OK under the butchers hammer.
Then Curtis hastily bound him, hand and
loot, with Panayota's bandage and, tear
l.,
II down his throat. Pulling up a plank
from one of the platforms by the fireplace,
he thrust the limp form out OF sight and
closed up the opening.
Il hope / didn't kill YOU he nutterad g.
but, as old Lindbohm says, you must
yust take your chancesr''
He walked once twice the length of
| the hut. The foot gave him considera hIf
pain. but It was possible to step on il. The
wound. which had taken a turn for the bet
Ter from the moment the spine had been re-
moved. had made wonderful imDroyement
| during the last thirty hours
"Whatll l do with the other two" he
mused
He picked up the gun lying on the floor
| charged with five shells. He peeped can
I tously through the door at pIuavnta's
| prison, concealing his body. The two
GUARDS appeared at the corner and looked
| cur!ously in his direction.
Bah, What d fool | am he thoueb,
| ana hopped boldly into sight. holding up
his lame leg by passing his hand under il
\ while he leaned against the iamb Tho
| guards faced about ana d!sappeared mn
I ting the house between themselves ana
! curtis ON their backward march TO The
| other end~of their beat.
| L could Dot one IF them and then hui
! no. might miss, ana then Ia be in a
\ pretty mess. And even II / did hit one,
! The other would have me az an ad,au-
! tage.'
! There was a sound IF kicking against
/ the boards ut the fireplace He sprans
TO the spot. rifle in hand. ana tore n6
/ me plank The man was lying upon his
I back with his eyes open. A great Hght
/ broke in upon Curt;s-an Inspiration. He
mad thrust the Turk out of sight through
| instinct.
"Pshaw"' he exclaimed they can't both
| itaVe Panayota- If l call to them. may
! Be one will come out of curiosity. and IN
! - ihiS thing right over again. But what'll
| tie him with -
! lie cast his eyes about the room. The