The central record., 1902-04-03
M A N A G. l. F. D
BE- Stephen Crane

crevce-<e streets resounded with the
charges OF other engines.
At the first cry of fire the two brutal
Warders had dropped the arms of the hero
and ran off the stage with the villain. The
hero called after them, angrilV: "Where
are YOU going? Here, Pete Iom-vou'Ve
lett me chained up, damn YOU
he body OF the theatre now reSembed a
mad surf amid rocks, but the hero did not
look at it. He was filled with fury at the
stupidity of the two brutal WarderS in for
getting that they Were leaving him man
atlei. Calling loudly, he hobbled off the
stage. L., taking steps four inches long.
Behind the scenes. he heard the hum of
flames; smoke, filled with sparks sweeping
on spiral courses, rolled thcllly upon him.
Suddenly his face turned chalk color be-
meath his skin of manly bronze for the
stage. His voice shrieted, Pete-Tom-
damn YOU !-come back-vou've left me
Damn them! They've left me chained
up" He moved down passage, taking
steps four inches long.
He had played in this theatre for seven
years, and he could find his way without
light through the intricate passages which
m1zed out behind the stage. He knew that
1t was long way to the street door.
The heat was intense. From time to time
masses of flaming wood sung down from
above him. He began to jump. Each
jump advanced him about three feet. but the
effort soon became heartbrealling. Once
he fell, and it took time to get upon his feet
aglin.
There were stairs to descend. From the
top of this flight he tried to fall feet first
He precipitated himself in 4 way that. under
common conditions, would have broken his
hip. But every step seemed covered with
glue. ana on almost every one he stuck for
Il moment. He could not even succeed in
falling down stairs. Ultimately he reached
the bottom, WindleSS from the struggle.
There We're stairs to climb. At the foot of
the flight he Law for an instant with his
mouth close to the floor, trying to breathe.
Then he tried to sale this trghtful preci-
Pike, up the face of which MANY an actor
had gone at tanter.
Each Succeeding step arose eight inches
from its fellow. The hero dropped to a seat
on the third step and pulled his feet to the
second step. From this position he lifted
himself TO a seat on the fourth step. He had
not gone far in this manner before his frenzy
caused him to lose his balance and he rolled
to the foot of the flight. After all, he could
fail down stairs.
he lay tleVt whispering: II ney all got
out hut me-all but me-" Beautiful flames
flashed above him. Some were crimson,
some We're orange, and here and there We're
tongues of purple, blue, green.
\ curiouSly calm thought came into his
head: "What fool | was not to foreSee
this. | shall have Rogers make manatles
OF tItip-mIths tomorrow
The thunder of the tlre'lionS made the
theatre have a palsy.
Suddenly the hero beat his handouts
against the wall, curSing them in a loud
wall. Blood started from under his finger
nails. Soon he began to bite the hot steel,
ana blood fell from his blisterei mouth, He
rlVed like wolf.
Peace came to him again. There were
charming effects amid the flames.
He felt very cool. delightfully."- cool.
They've lett me chained up"