The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-13
None But the Brave

@All over the town. but especially at No.
Broadway"
There were two shots overhead at this
moment. and II may have been for this
reason that Curtis started so suddenly
He made no reply at once. but when he
Impress this on your memory-No. 2
Broadway"
mo. 2 Broadway. said we together.
We'll, we are TO meet there
you know the placer" 1 asked.
Yes
You know New York then?e said I, in
cautiously
My friend" said Curtis. "a moment
ago You asked us to accompany you to
New York to help you at the risk of our
lives, and told us we We're not to know
the reason"
And, my dear friend said I, neither
Acton nor | will ask why or how you can
help us"
mo. 2 Broadway. then let II be. Now as
to getting there-but | think something is
happening in the next ROOM
As Curtis spoke a shot had been fired
from the Kitchen and. now came another
report from outside, and with it a long,
low cry from the house. Almost inn
mediately some one yelled Fire! Fire!'
and ran into the hall. We stood an In
slant, and then, happening to be nearest,
l ran through. the tap room and thrust
open the kitchen door. bright light
shining in the room, had started towards
the fire when l was checked by the cry
of man Immediately in front of me-
Another step, and l had fallen over him.
Here, Johnl' cried the wounded man
Il m hit bad. John, l cannot see you
Take the papers and get out of here
They must be delivered Where are your
( ried the man again, for the other had
run into the next room In search of water
for the fire. THE papers, john" cried
the dying man again, "in the back-part-
of my-shirt Clinton must havo them
tomorrow. Take 'em-sure-I-" He had
tried to sit up, but now fell over into my
arms.
took a belt knife and rippeo up the
back Of the mans coat, tearing off the
greater part of the garment to make a
wad for his head. : was scarcely done
when the osher came bacA to the room
now brightly lighted by the burning OF
the window sash, and he and Curtis and
Acton ripped off the boards of the win
dow. A shot or two came into the room,
but each man looked to it that he was
not in range. Then of sudden the
stranger turned towards his companion
and caught my eye as l bent over Elm.
He is quite dead said l, as the other
approached; shot through the head.p
Let me see," said he, quickly and
pushing me aside he began feeling of the
man, going through each and every one
OF his pockets, muttering the while to
himself
The fire, man. cried L Let him be
now; he is better off than we" Then the
tavern-keeper appeared, bringing water
pals. and the stranger took one.
"HoltH' said Curtis; stay here and we
VIII return to the front of the house. IT
Is two to one they take this opportunity
10 attack there" And so we started for
the front again.
And as We did so there came another
crack and the moonlight shot In through
fracture In the big oak door. A mans
head appeared, and Acton, grasping a
chair, held 1t in front of him, and. lean
Ing on the table, rammed 1t against the
head forcing the man back with a. roar
OF pain. Then standing still on the table
out not In front of the hole, Acton begged
to converse with the unknown outside.
Now, gentlemen" said he gaily, "the
first head that shows itself will get
scalped"
Surrender" cried two or three grun
voices.
Reduy, ready, step up, gentlemen, one
at time, to be scalped!" cried the irnper-
turbable Acton.
Surrender, you. there, and we'll give
you quarter, If you turn the house over
to us!" said gruff voice again.
No use to surrender, my dears," re-
piled Acton because the house is already
turned over to the flames.''
Then We'll shoot every soul of you"'
cried another voice.
"Shoot away, but do stick thy added
pate through and get scalpedl"