The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-25


our fellows" said Dan. They'll be cut
off from the rear if they stop here
much longer; but 1 hope they won't
leave before we can creep around and
join them. 1 would give something to
know who the chap vas that cut us
loose and told us tos disappear. He
was one of the Boxers
"Of course, he was" interrupted
don't suppose Wen ever get to the bot
tom of it. Come, Dan, we've seen
enough. We must escape while we have
the chance. 1t will soon be too late,
for directly the harricade is finished Ii
Sheng will turn his attention to us"
The night had now fallen in earnest,
and out of the black curtain that
shrouded the court yard and the street
beyond the rifles were flashing redly.
Savage yells and sharp cries of pain
mingled with the thud of timber and
stone which told that the Boxers were
hurrying their work to completion.
There was no time to lose. Alec went
cautiously up the rough surface OF the
Joyful Budtlha and planted his feet on
the broad granite shoulders. To the
lads own shoulders climbed Dan, and
grasping the window ledge he pulled
himself up to it.
"All right he called down. There's
lots or room-a wide stone slab It's
too dark to make out what lies on the
other side, but the coast seems to be
clear. Ready for the next?"
Eyes; watch sharp" Alec replied.
He helped Loo-Lao to mount the
idol, and then lightly raised her higher.
Dan, stretching himself fiat on the
ledge, with his arms lowered. caught
the girls hands and drew her up be-
side him. In like manner he assisted
Alec to scale the wall, and with emo
lions of joy and gratitude the three
found themselves safely together in the
lofty window embrasure.
They had won the first step, gained
the outlet from their gloomy prison;
and for the moment, as they listened
to the distant tumult and firing, they
felt that the worst was over. Below
them at no great depth, narrow thor
oughfare appeared to run right and
left. 1t was dark and silent.
"Harkl What was that?" exclaimed
the Princess.
There was a Glamour of voices, pat
ter of feet across the temple floor and
along the passage leading to the
shrine. The bolt was shot back. The
door ratified and creaked.
1.-THE Tiger and his butchers" Alec
whispered They have come after us.
But they won't break it easily-that
idol will take some budging. Now,
then, I'll go first, and when 1 whistle
for you, Miss Peach Blossom, you must
DROP
And you will catch me?" asked the
girl.
Yes; no fear"
Hurry up, old fellow" urged Dan.
They're hard at it,"
Alec swung himself over the window
ledge, let go and landed lightly on
soft earth. Loo-Lao dropped into his
arms and Dan followed.
where are we?" he said. 20, see.
It's lane with blank walls on either
side Which way now?"
1T don't matter much" Alec answer
err. "Well take the left. What we want
to do is to cut round and join The
marines, and if we succeed we'll sleep
tonight in the Legation quarter"
IF we succeed" echoed Dan. That
seems to good to come true. It's high
time our luck changed, though"
AS the three moved off they could
distinctly hear the door being assault
ed by Ii Sheng and his companions,
who had not yet discovered the escape
of the prisoners. The marines were still
shooting at intervals into the court
yard, and from the southwesterly part
of the city, where lurid glare played
on the sky, fioated humming, throb-
bling noise.
The lane was tortuous. squalid, and
nearly as rough as a plowed field. For
some $50 yards there was no break in
the walls. but finally turn TO the left
brought the fugitives into a fairly wide
street. They picked their way along
cautiously, by sacked and abandoned
houses. past unburied and abandoned
Christian converts. And them of sud
den, pandemonium seemed to break
loose. Rapid and prolonged rile-dring
was heard, and as IL dwindled to a few
shots blood-curdling screams and Wells
mingled with hoarse shouting and
cheering.
our fallows have been reinforced"
exclaimed Alec. They have rushed the
baTrieade and taken the temple. and