Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-10-28

CHAPTER xIx.-tconrinued.)

wild shrek.
"Don't-don't ,killI' cried a piteous
woman's voice. Don't kill him.
Not kill him:' snarled Mazzard.
mo, no. Spare him, and I'll tell you"
'Bedad, an il We do, I'll niSer forgive
ye," cried Dinny, 6ercely. "Ye don't
know nawthing. He's eschaped.'
Where is he:" roared out MaZzard.
Speak out, woman, or I'll blow his head
OFF,
Humphrey sprang up couple of steps
to defend Dinny; but Mary Dell lay
there, and to show himself was 10 betray
her-the woman he passionately loved. OF
himself he thought nothing.
But the task of betrayal to save her
lover was spared to Mistress Greenheys,
for, as Black Mazzard stood with one
hand on Dnny's shoulder, and his second
pistol pointed close to his ear, so that his
second shot could not fail, one OF his men
exclaimed aloud:
why, he's therel Look at the bloodv'
Mazzard turned and glanced down at
he floor upon which he stood, then at the
stained stone which formed the cover OF
the vault. He uttered harsh laugh, for
the stone had been slightly moved.
Here, half dozen of you!" he roared.
Lay holdw
His men s2ized the stone; and after
one Of two trials to raise it up it was
thrust sideways and the hiding place re-
vealed.
With yell of savage delight Black
Mazzard began to descend, followed by
his crew. There was clash of swords,
two men fell, wallowing in their blood,
and then Humphrey drew back into the
corner before Mary Dell, determined to
defend her to the last.
Two more men went down; and there
was brief pause, followed by savage
rush and melee, in which Humphrey 5
sword snapped off at the hilt, and the
next minute he was above in the great
chamber, between two of Mazzard's men;
and Mary Dell was borne up to lie at
her conqueror's feet.
You savage!" roared Humphrey, as
he sunk painting on a stone.
Savage retorted Mazzard, with a
brutal grin. Stand up, you dog"
Stand yourself-in the presence Of
your kings oftieerw shouted Humphrey,
in his rage.
''Kingr' cried Mazzard, mockingly.
"Pm king here Now, then, your! he
cried to his men, who enjoyed seeing him
bearded. Quick two ropesw
He turned sharply upon his men, who
hurried off to obey the command.
Humphrey gazed at Mazzard aghast.
The threat implied in the order seemed
too horrible to be believed, and for the
moment he looked round in doubt.
But Mazzard was in power; and in a
few moments che ropes were forthcoming.
Before they could recover from their
surprise he had torn a sword from one of
them, and, whirling it round his head, he
drove them back, and, clasping Mary
Delrs waist. stood with flashing eyes,
ready for the first who would attack.
rs there no man here who will help?'
he shouted
'Bedad there isr' cried Dinny, leaping
upon the nearest, and in a moment tear
ing his weapon from his hand. IF / die
for it, captain, it shall be like man."
Black Mazzard stood for a moment
aghast at the daring displayed. Then a
grim look of savagery crossed his evil
countenance, and he drew his sword
Now, my lads" he said, hercely, its
three ropes we want, | see. Come on"
He made rush forward, followed by
MS Uueus Uut ~ luiS a SOAAAiAs
shot flashed from the folds of the curtain,
and as the report reyerberated through
the great stone chamber, Black Mazzard
spun round IS if upon pivot, and fell
with heavy thud upon the floor.
His men paused in their onslaught, ap-
palled by the suddenness of their leaders
fall; but as they saw Bart come forward,
piece in hand. their hesitation turned TO
rage, and they advanced once more to the
attack.
Good byr' whispered Humphrey,
bending for a moment over Mary, who
chung TO him, her eyes fixed on his with
a longing, despairing gaze, and then, as
he thrust her back, the attack began.
The odds were about eight to one, and
the issue could not for a moment be in
doubt: but hardly had sword met sword.
and blow been exchanged, when a ringing
cheer arose, and with rush a couple of
dozen well-armed sailors dashed in by
corridor and window, and the tables were
completely turned.
There was a rush made for the door.
but those who tried in that direction were
driven back: while half a dozen who
backed into a corner of the great cham
Der. as if desperately determined to sell
their lives dearly, were boldly attacked
and beaten down, the whole party being
reduced from the savage band of follow
ers OF the dead rutian at their feet TO a
herd of helpless prisoners, abjeet 20 a
degree.
Humphrey saw nothing of this. only
that they were saved; for, dropping his
sword, he sank on his knees by the side
of her who lay back with her eyes fixed
upon his, full of a longing, iTrloring look.
He bent down closely TO h. tQ .4>5-16r
hand in his. and started TO finu r.saI {
was cold. but there was vitality in it
enough for the fingers to close upon his
hand tightly, while the lips he kissed NOV
ed slightly, aud he heard as family as if
just breatheG:
1T is better so"
NO. nor he painted. 1--WE are saved {.
Mary-dearest~-'
He said no more, for the longing look
In those eyes seemed intensified, and the
pupils dilated slowly 10 remain fixed and
stern.
1t was the buccaneers last look on
earth.