The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-27

use.
l am no fool to lose heart in a tight place.
but the game seemed UP as we saw them
gather together for another charge.
yield yourselves. and Wen do ye no
HARM" cried one. IF We do not, God help
your souls."
Don't bother strangers by calling on
EN-" said Acton, in a jeering tone, but
come on, my lambs, and take u.s.
a growl was the only answer as they
started up the stairs again. We had the
slight advantage Of light, as well as of be-
ing above and as the first two began TO
engage Acton, who stood at the top,
knocked the nearest over with the butt of
my pistol, and then. leaning out from the
! crazy balustrade, began an exchange of
| thrusts with the next two, they fighting
straight over their heads, l down upon
| them.
They stood their ground WELL preventing
by their own bodies any others from TAX
ing part, until another jeering laugh from
| Acton was followed by the bodies of his
men tumbling back upon them. tripping the
whole crew one over another to the bot
tom, amid cries and curses that would have
raised the dead. The howl was taken up by
those in the hall and then to our conster-
nation loud shout Of many voices came
from the street. Running to the sashless
window, L saw half a hundred soldiers
crowded around the door.
Back again. cried Acton, "the towns
on the way upstairsT' and in truth it
looked so; for they had found a round
table, and holding this above and before
them, they were coming slowly up two
1 ahrpa nd nc fhay sfp
II have it," cried Acton-the man seemed
always to become gay in a fight and find
his best wits at the most hopeless time.
Quick. man. that cupboard! Twill make
cheese Of the whole lot" And we lifted
great double-doored clothes press standing
in the hall, Acton, the woman. and I, and
pushed it over the stairs, carrying balus-
trade and all with it. The blow was a ter
rible one, for the weight of the cupboard
carried the table down upon the eight or
ten men and all went down together, amid
dust and cries and roars of laughter from
Acton that fairly off as well.
The situation was changed for the mo-
ment, for the brave cupboard had damned
itself in the stairway preventing any as
cent or descent by that passage for some
good minutes to come. In the pause that
followed, a stifed cry from the old woman
showed US behind the spot where the cup
board had stood frameless window look
ing out on the roof of the next house. Roof
there was none, however-only blackened
timbers, with here and there a patch of
shingles still clinging in place.
Twas a chance, and we took it. We were
out in a moment. clambering over the
creaking timbers and down on the farther
side into a lane. no wider than a mans
body. between two buildings. There was
but one way TO go, and that into Broadway
and in another moment we were at the
back of the crowd of two or three hundred
people standing about the door of the fated
No. ., bowling and yelling. asking ques-
tions and giving opinions to one another
Manifestly this tn, safest place for
the moment, till we h card a cry of joy
from the inside, and knew that the lead
ers must have overcome our friendly cup
board.
Come" said L to Acton, and led him
across the green to Clintons house. easily
distinguishable for its many lights and the
music coming from it. At the door we were
challenged by a sentry and asked what was
| our business.
Special message to the commander-in-
chief. 1 must see him at once" said 1,
looking at Acton in fear that the absolute
establishment sitting on his face would end
the matter then and there.
'You cannot see him now, man. He is"
Its a dangerous thing to waste time
my friend, when Sir Henry Clinton is con-
cerned. Call his secretary here at once"
and 1 stood aside on the steps to allow
some late arrivals to enter, as if the mat
ter were settled
But you'll get us hanged, man." whis-
pered Acton, IF you"
Hold thy tongue, mani" 1 said in the
same tone.
but / don't see"
wei. corporal, you not gone yet?'
l asked, angrily. do you know that your
head will drop off, if this delay gets
about?''
81 have my doubts" he answered; but
I'll call Mr.. Cameron
Cameron, then, was the secretary, and
he came in a moment, dressed in black and
rubbing his thin hands together.
Mr. Cameron" 1 said, before he could
speak, Il am Mr.. Merton, and this is Mr.
Roberts. We have just come from New
port and Verplancks with dispatches for
Sir Henry. Will you notify him at once?"
And 1 showed him the dispatches.
He looked at us a moment through his
narrow little eyes, and finally said:
Come this way, gentlemen, if you
please" and going around the side of the
house we entered by a smaller door into
a cross corridor. AS we passed along I saw
brilliant series of rooms. polished floors,
and groups of uniformed men and beauti-
fully dressed women walking up and down
the hall and dancing in the large ballroom
Then in an instant we stood in a dimly-
lighted room.
AT the end Of five minutes a large door
opened on the other side of the study or Of
fee, and a bright light from one of the
bathrooms burst in upon us. A large hand
held the door for an instant, and my body
stiffened as 1 heard lively girlish voice 1
knew in my dreams now, saying half an
grily, half playfully:
but, Sir Henry, this is my dancer
MY dear Mistress Debby, am far more
! unhappy about it than you can be-" said
| a high, somewhat querulous masculine
voice.
II do not believe it, II 'twere true you
would not run away So
There came some answer. which was lost
to in the study; for at that moment the
door opened wide, and a tall. thick-set man
entered. and closed it quickly behind him.