The Savannah morning news., 1901-07-28


were enveloped in a murky cloud of
smoke from the blazing buildings in
the distance.
Alec and Dan kept together, but
quickly missed their companions. They
CROPPED on blindly for few yards, the
bullets kissing around them, and then
Tai Ling doomed alongside from out
the haze. He caught an arm of each.
Come, will guide, you to the rear
gate of the palace" he urged, land we
will rescue my young mistress and
escape with her to the legations. Now
is the time for the Boxers in the court
yard will oppose the entrance of the
imperial troops
Whether or not the plan was feasible
the lads did not pause to consider. The
thought of saving the Princess fired
their zeal and courage, and, moreover,
they were lost in the smoke and dark
ness and were quite dependent on Tai
Ling. So they ran on with him, making
several confusing turns, until the tu-
mutt and shooting sounded far off.
They hardly realized what had hap
pened. The significance of 1.-THE fact
that imperial soldiers had brazenly
opened a murderous fire on foreigners
from the legations-was to dawn upon
them later.
Tai Ling paused in a gloomy paved
alley about 30 feet wide, hemmed in
by lofty walls. A few feet in front, on
the left, was a close gateway.
This is the place." he said, but
alas. 1t may be locked"
Then how are we to get in?" asked
Alec.
"Hush!" Tai Ling replied warningly,
as he drew his companions deeper into
the shadow of the wall. The sound of
nearby voices had called forth the
caution, and the next instant the gate
was flung wide open, and with a clatter
of wheels and hoofs, to the accompa-
niment of a swapping whip. a mule
cart rolled through into the alley and
swung to the left.
couple of f1aring torches shed light
from the palace Enclosure, and one
brief glance, as the vehicle turned di-
rectly in front of them, revealed the
truth to the startled lads. Two armed
Boxers were driving from the fore end
of the cart, and on the floor behind
them sat third. keeping guard over
a shapeless object covered with a sat
in curtain. from the edge of which
peeped a tiny foot encased in a jewel
ed slipper.
They've got the Princess there!"
gasped Alec.
A scream of rage that was scarcely
human burst from Tai Ling's lips as he
made a bound forward and overlook
the cart AS quickly-he dared not
strike for fear of injuring the girl-he
had seized the Boxer on the floor by
his coiled pigtail and jerked him forci-
bly, to the ground, where with a single
thrust of the cutlass he dispatched the
unhappy wretch.
The lads witnessed the bloody deed.
They heard a shrill tumult and a rush
of feet within the palace court, and
saw the cart gaining speed as the two
Boxers, who thought only of getting
away, piled the whip.
Then Dan threw up his rife and fired,
and with the loud report the man who
was driving let go of the lines and
pitched headlong out of the vehicle,
which ran over his body. The mule
stopped and began to kick, and the re-
naming Boxer jumped down and ran
to the balky animals head.
Leaping past Tai Ling, who was with
drawing the reeking cutlass from his
victims corpse, both lads sprang into
the, cart, Dan from the rear, while Alec
slipping round to the front, recovered
both lines and whip and scrambled to
the seat. At that instant the third
Boxer left the mule and turned, reveal
ing the infamed tigerish features of
Ii Sheng. Yelling with rage, and
swinging his great broadsword in the
air, the Tiger threw himself at the lad.
Alec was taken at a disadvantage,
for he had put his rifle down on the
seat. But he quickly seized 1t, at the
same time dropping the lines and whip
at his feet, and as he made a sharp
lunge-he had no chance to aim and
fre-he intercepted the deadly blow,
and the descending blade struck sparks
from the barrel of the gun. Simultan-
eously the point Of the bayonet pierced
Ii Sheng's right arm above the elbow,
and dropping his sword he reeled back
with a howl of pain. Then, seeing
Dams rife leVeled at him he promptly
took to his heels. There was a flash
and a report, and down went the Tiger,
pitching in a heap at the base Of the
wall
"Hurrah! I hope you've settled him"
exclaimed Alec. And now to get clear
with the girl. If you can. You must
look after her, DAN"
I'LL do that" Dan shouted. wait
for Tai Ling, and then drive like fury"
Scarcely a minute had elapsed since
the opening of the gate, and that brief
period had been crowded so full of
dramatic incident and bloodshed that
the two plucky young Americans. car
ried away by impulse and excitment,
as yet did not realize their truly ter
rible plight Tai Ling, who had mean
while been set upon by another foe and
had killed his man, now overlook the
cart. But when he saw Alec flashing
the mules without effect. and at the
same moment discovered no less than
q dozen Boxers swarming out of the
palace court. he instantly turned back.
Alone, armed only with his reeking
cutlass. he confronted the screeching
band OF rufiians.
The gallant fellow. this hero with a
heather soul and yellow skin. was evil
IDENTIFY determined 20 sacrifice himself.
10 Yield his life for his masters daugh-
ter IN the hope that while he checked
the pursuers Alec might conquer the
mules obftinacy.
Come. Tai Ling. quiekl" the Lad
called after him. You viii be killed"
"Gol OOi" be cried hoarsely. DO not
walt Save my young mistfessl"
Further enuehty proved vain,
brought no response. The Boxers
spfanE 10 the attack Ike rayen0us
beaaia. there Waa a ringing and clash.
fnr ~ steal an inferno ~ frongied
rfNa mlneied win cries 81 mOrfal az.
orv Thfn the human wave rolled on
n vas I'D over With Tai Ling