The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-04-17
CHAPTER NIII-ContinUed.

with the rope, passed the moose over
his head, and ran it tight upon MS
arms. pinioning them to his sides before
he had recovered from his surprise.
And he had dragged the knight back
few PAGES into the dungeon, and mad
drawn the dagger from his side before
the retainers realized what was going
forward. Every man i'll the castle
there we're about dozen rufiians IN all,
picked men, of the same feather with
their master-was tramping down the
corkecrew stair to see the fun, all at
their ease, in high spirits, we'll lined
with beer. The huge Nicholas came
next to his master, and he was loung-
ing lazily in, stopping to enter, when
suddenly he heard suppressed oaths ana
a hurried trampling and scutiilng, ana
saw the knight in the grasp of the pris-
oner.
Ralph held the dagger 10 the knights
throat.
"a step and strike!" ne shouted to
the men at the door. "He is In my
power
The fact was obvious. It was wild
scene under the torchilght, the flames
leapng and the deep shadows CULVER
ing. The torch-bearers were open
mouthed with establishment, and stared
at their master mutely, inquirlng what
was to be done, leaning forward as II
they would fain do something. The
face end gesture of Nicholas in the door
way expressed the same surprise and
hesitation. Surly defiance sat on the
knights features; the rracticed soldier
had been taken unawares, but he had
a self-reliant look, as if measuring the
situation For an instant all the fg-
ures we're fixed in their attitudes like a
group of statuary.
"Bid them retire, or | strike, said
Ralph, in a distinct, low voice. "All
but the torch bearers retire"
Clara, who stood in the shadow be-
hind Ralph and the knight, drew
nearer
Sir Richard hesitated.
Confirm my order or l will keep
my word," said Ralph.
81 guess must" growled the knight
at last, with forced laugh. "There
is no other way. 1t is clever trick, !"
he continued, in an easier voice, as If
acquiescing. 81 never saw anything
more deity done. 1t reminds me OF
caustel practiced by that worthy
knight-'' Then, suddenly breaking
off and changing his voice, he shouted,
"Look to the damsel."
The ruse so far succeeded. He had
counted that Ralph would take his eyes
off him for an instant, and as he spoke
he dashed his shoulder with all his
force against the youth, and, starting
forward, erked himself out of his
grasp, and made for the door. Mich
olas saw the maneuver, and launched
himself to meet his master, and the
torch bearers also started to close in.
But Ralph had the advantage in
swiitness of movement. He was not
driven far by the push, and he was on
his enemy again like lightning, and
caught him by the collar.
Still it seemed as if the odds were
too much for him. Nicholas had just
reached his master, and was almost
touching him, and one OF the torch
bearers converting his torch into a
weapon, was aiming blow at Ralph's
head.
But the next instant, in the rapidly
shifting scene, showed complete
change in the balance of advantages.
Ralph had jerked back the knight be-
tween him and the torchbearer, and
the latter, on turning his blow aside to
avoid hitting his master, caught Mich
olas with the blazing pitch full in the
face. The giant threw his hands on
his face, and rolled on the floor in
agony, yelling like demon.
Then help came to Ralph at the same
instant from an unexpected quarter.
The sudden movement had passed be-
fore Clara's eyes with electric abrupt
ness. There was no time to think
only a sense of the danger leaped to
her brain; instinctively, with cry, she
ran forward, and, seizing the rope with
which the knights arms were pinioned
pulled with all her might. Her fren.
ried tug came at an opportune moment
the knight was staggering under the
arrest of Ralph's powerful arm, and il
brought him three PAGES back clear Of
the men who had run to his assistance
Ralph, with the dagger at the
Knights throat, was again master OF
the situation.
Sir Richard sullenly ordered his mer
TO withdraw. Only one torchbeareI
was left by Ralph's directions, and he
had to part with his weapon. The
blinded giant was led up stairs bias.
pheming.
at is some DEVILS magic" Sir Rich,
ard said uRnt Won do not oct linhtlx