The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-10-06

into his belt and ran to the ~parapet,
where the rope was swinging from
knob of stone. Dan, who had been
waiting for his friend, Immediately be-
gan to descend.
Don't stop" he urged. 1.-THE rope is
strong enough to bear both of US"
1t will have to be-" Alec replied,
Tor I'm coming now. Look sharp!"
he swung himself into the gulf and
vanished beneath the coping. Down
the plucky lads went with scarcely
the space of yard between them,
needless of rough humping and sting
ing hands-down the precipitous face of
the wall knot by knot, twisting and
spinning dizzily, and catching what
foothold they could on the rough brick
word. Above the edge of the parapet
grew DINNER against the starry sky;
below. the flooded ditch lay calm and
CLASSY.
On and on. Half of the distance COW
ered-twe- thirds. Excited cries rent
the air overhead, and the savage Chi
nese soldiery crowded to the rim of
the wall. Firearms were thrust down.
ward. Crack!--crack, crack !--crack!
The bullets whistled and hummed.
"Drop!" painted Alec.
simultaneously both lads let go of
the rope, shot through 20 feet of emp
ty space, and plunged with a tremen-
dous splash into the moat. The depth
of the water proved their salvation.
They went far under, came to the sur
face unhurt and struck out for their
lives.
Side by side they swan on. amid
perfect hail of lead that raised squirt
ing white Gets in a circle around them.
But they struggled unscratched through
the deadly shower, and climbed the
granite embankment at the far side
of the moat. The next instant, watch
ed breathlessly by the bafied ruffians
on the lofty top of the wall, they had
faded like shadows into the darkness
that shrouded the Imperial City
The worst is over" gasped Dan.
COR still ahead of u.s. Alec replied.
The prospect was now decidedly
tramping and of ceaseless vigilance, a
dark and perilous detour of miles--in
the shade of three sides of a square
through the northern part of Pekin,
found the fugitives toward morning in
the eastern and more familiar district
of the Tartar City, and at no great dis
lance from their old hiding-place in the
hollow wall of the Imperial City.
They had avoided many dangers on
be reserved for the time when they
were nearest to friends and safety.
They bore cautiously on to the south
east; by deserted streets and desolate
burnt areas, and they were within half
a mile of the northeast corner of the
legation quarter, with the great east
gate little farther off on their left.
when they became aware, by the noise
of shouting and the flashing of torch
oil cd
by bodies of the enemy.
THE Tiger is on our track again"
Dan exclaimed
mo; don't believe these fellows are
thinking of us at ALL" Alec replied.
But while they are about we can't
get through. We had better stop
where we are for the present"
A likely-looking refuge was close at
hand--a partly burned mission build
ing, whose roof had fallen in between
still-standing walls and pillars. The
lads crawled deep into the maze of
eharred and twisted beams, and found
a hollow space where they could
stretch themselves full length. Rest
was delicious after their fatiguing adj
ventures, and an overpowering drowsi-
ness began to steal upon them.
The day was we'll advanced when the
lads woke from slumber-woke sud-
denly, as If from a bad dream, with
a chilling sense of evil that as quickly
materialized into very real and immi-
nent peril, for a man in Boxer garh
was kneeling at the edge of the ruin
and peering with fiendish grin into
the network of fallen timbers.
Nov Chang" Alec said, hoarsely
And he sees us!" gasped Dan.
1t was indeed Now Chang, the I'll
gers crafty lieutenant. Hearing the
startled voices, and knowing that his
eayesdropping was discovered, the ruff
fan sprang to his feet and made OFT,
shouting loudly as he ran.
Hell be back directly with a lot
more-perhaps with Ii Sheng," ex-
claimed Dan. What are we going to
do? Is there way out behind?"
None; there is no use to try it, "
| Alec answered, despairngly, as he
looked back at the closely wedged
beams and tiles. The debris was as
impenetrable light and left; the only
exit was that N front.
For a moment or two the lads listen
ed. The surrounding city was hum
ming and buzzing like an angry bee
hive. echoing to wild clamor and din,
to the blare of trumpets and the brazen
beating of gongs. The cannon of the
allies Numbered and crashed, and it
was almost possible to distinguish the
cheering of the plucky little Japanese
soldiers who were VIGOROUSLY storm
ing the great east gate. Pekin's long
postponed hour Of retribution was at
hand.
THE relief fierce must be within the
walls" declared Alec. II believe the
siege is raised. If we stop here in this
death-trap we'll be slaughtered like
rats. What do you say, Dan-shall we
make dash for life, before it is too
late?"
I'm with you," Dan assented. Come
along, and we'll try to-"
The sentence froze on his lips. 1t
was already too late for fight. Out
side of the ruined mission building APP
peared all at once half score of Box
ers, armed with swords and lances.