The Lamar register., 1902-08-13

Russia Takes the Plunge.
Merrick's first inclination when he
realized the dastardly nature of the
outrage that had been perpetrated
upon them was to do something in
order to strike back.
Jones had, however. weighed the
situation well and knew best how to
handle it.
He had Merrick stretch out upon one
of the seats, and with rug made
very fair dummy of himself upon the
other. In the Pickering. uncertain
light 1t would require an extraordina-
rily sharp pair of eyes to discover any
thing wrong.
1t chanced that while prowling
about. looking under the seats. Jones
had run across small piece of timber
some four feet long, by as many
inches in diameter. which. being
round, had somewhat the appearance
of post. 1t was an elegant substi-
tute for battering ram.
Aind Jones welcomed its appearance
with more than a little satisfaction
indeed, the article itself no doubt sug-
gested the legitimate use to which SO
cleverly constructed weapon should
be put.
Eagerly Jones waited. transferring
his watch back and forward from one
door to the other.
All! what was that-a hand at the
window. an arm raised to hold on by
some projection above!
Evidently the intruder had expected
to find the window closed-at least, he
hol for nj
stacle.
Jones saw 1t coming in time to low
er his head. when there was crash
of glass and the whole window went
to bits.
When the job of smashing the glass
had been completed in such an heroic
manner, the face of man appeared in
the opening.
One glance told Jones his Identity
there could be no mistaking that yell
low head Of hair and the blazing orbs
OF the Russian.
II Jones had any scruples with re-
gard to what he proposed doing they
never made themselves known. He
had his battering ram in readiness and
at the proper time he let 1t go.
The projectile struck fair and
square, and with enough power to tear
loose the insecure grip he had upon
the carriage.
Merrick heard a yell such as the
Cossack of the Don gives when he
meets his fate in the mad rush of bat
tie.
Hes gomez" demanded Merrick.
who was partly in the dark as to what
baa occurrod and papar for uawu of
course.
"Yes-I struck him square. in the
face, a tremendous blow, with this af-
fair. 1t knocked him clear off the car
and the bridge. could just see his
big figure go whirling down. with arms
and legs extended. And l heard the
splash when he struck. Ugh. it will
haunt me for many day. l guess"
The picture thus conjured up was
SO exceedingly dramatic and full OF
horror that Merrick also shuddered.
although his eyes had not beheld the
actual occurrence.
"You believe the big Russian is
dead. them" he asked.
"Oh! no. that would be too good;
but he'll have a perfectly delightful
time getting out of the mud-I heard
him swearing after he struck"
The excitement over they settled
down to make the best of a bad bar
gain.
Suddenly the little motor ahead be-
gan to send out a series of shrill,
\ agonizing screeches such as electrified
even those of strongest nerve, since
1t seemed to presage a dreadful catas-
trophe.
Jones and Merrick unconsciously
sprang to their feet. and the former
j., made as though to thrust his head out
to see what was coming: but ere he
could do SO there came shock that
sent them both sprawling against the
cushioned back of the forward seat.
When Jones and his comrade thus
scrambled about among the cushions
and small luggage in the endeavor to
maintain some decent sort of equili-
brium, they knew full well that some
thing out of the ordinary had happen
ed
Perhaps accidents are far less fire.
quent on European railways than is
the case in America, where greater
hazards are taken in making speed;
but nevertheless they do occur at
times, and with just as fearful conse-
quences.
A hasty examination gave Merrick
and Jones the pleasing information
that beyond few contusions of small
moment they had not suffered any
damage from the accident.
Apparently there were others who
could not lay claims to such luck.
At any rate, the death-like silence