The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1901-04-06

right hand and the look OF hunted
animal glared from his bloodshot eyes
He swung the door to and bolteo it
Then with curse he hurled the boy
from his path, rushed past the chat
tering Cinnamon into the next room
and into his bunk. In Q second h(
was out again and had thrown his
soiled coat over the sleeping Ha Hin
Quickly drawing on tweed vest from
a nail in the wall, he uttered a rapid
warning to the questioning group
that watched his movements in con.
sternation, and disappeared stealthli7
by a side door into the darkness of q
deserted lane.
Lee Fee crept to Ha Hin's bunk and
gently shook him into wakefulness.
He was shivering with vague alarm
and his eyes looked a pitiful appeal
for protection that banishea from Ha
Inns features the smile that his
slumbers had left upon them.
What is the matter, little Lee Fee?
Who hurts your" he asked hoarsely.
Listen, they're coming" whispered
the boy, and buried his face upon his
friends breast.
"Who are coming, little one? Be
quick. what is it?'' cried Ha Hin, ten
derby raising the boys face.
There, you can hear them bowling
Big To Ko, the Mantchoorian, he ran
in one second ago and ran out again.
He was all blood and had knife. And
his eyes-oh, his eyes. Somebody had
torn his clothes, and he cursed at me
with the terrible oath. He had drunk
the strong waters again, and now we
will be killed"
Ha Hin listened with . growing
fear, and there burst from the head
of neighboring street, wild, frenzied
cries. He jumped to the middle of
the floor, and swung Lee Fee onto his
back.
.'Out of this, all of you. To 10 has
got into trouble, and must have hurt
some one. Hark! they are coming for
him, and to them it will matter little
-Mantchooran or us. We must get
out of this for tonight, anyway.
Come on, little Lee Fee, thou and
will risk it together"
A heavy stone came crashing
through the glass of the front en-.
trance and rolled to Lee Kings feet.
Ha Hin stopped and picked it up. The
rush of a score of feet ratified the
crazy windows in their frames and the
door broke inwards. AS it flew torn
from its hinges, Ha Hin raised the
stone high above his head and hurled
it at the oncoming tide of humanity
that surged in. 1t caught fat Ger
man full upon the chest, and he sank
to the floor with choking gasp that
sent the blood yelling from his
mouth.
up again, Lee Fee" he cried, and
the boy sprang into his arms.
The Chinese had slipped out by the
side door, and Ha Hin threw himself
after them. With the raging crowd OF
roughs yelping at his heels, he ran
for his life and prayed to the gods
with a fierce despair for strength to
elude them. Lee Fee hung tightly ia
his back and closed his eyes to tie
swollen, angry faces racing behind
An iceman's assistant in the rear
stopped and threw wooden mallet.
Little Lee Fee gave a gurgline
gyoan of pain and his head fell for.
ward upon Ha Hin's shoulder, while
gush of warm blood spattered Ha
Hin's face. He stopped and laid the
boy tenderly upon the ground. The
pursuers uttered yell of triumph
and were upon him.
With all the might of wild passion
and lost hope let loose, Ha Hin struck
blindly out. An Italian fruit vendor
went Keeling back senseless upon his
and as he fell dropped
the glittering stiletto that he had
raised to deal the death stroke. Ha |
Hin's claw-like fingers closed upon it,
and his eyes narrowed with hideous
Joy as he sent the cold eteel home in |
TO the shoulder of the nearest assail. |
ant. A maddening joy was pulsing |
through his veins and he leaped for
ward to meet them. Twice, thrice he
struck, and the knife came back dyed |
deeper with each thrust. A lead pipe |
vas swung upon his head, and earth
md sky rocked horribly as he stag
yered backward out of reach of
'econd blow. A swarthy figure bound
ID to his side and sinewy arm en-
'ircled his neck. Ha Hin grasped the
lplifted hand and strained with
asst failing strength to tear the
Italian from his hold. His brain
vas throbbing duly and the ring of |
'rutal faces that encompassed and
trove to reach him, blurred red and
ndistinct. With a jerk the italian
reed his wrist and the knife was
'uried to the hilt in. Ha Hin's breast.
lie saw the Yangtse-Kiang rolling
reamily on, and upon the reed-clad
'ank Yateesha spread her soft arms
O welcome him Ha Hin s;0ho1 |