Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-12-05
ROCKVILLE. MARYLAND. FRIDAY MORNING, DECEMBER
NO. IL.

thing TO do. With a demonlac roar
charged them. 1t was as had hoped.
The sight of scarlet and black devil
leaping ut them from out the blackness
Of night was enough. Like rabbits
they plunged into the brush, and the
sound OF their frantic prayers bore me
company AZ | sprinted past the fire. 1t
would have made corklng fine poster
that scene, "The Apparition of Pyro."
Then a shot sounded out behind me,
and put my thoughts into my heels. l
was gaining OH the pursuit when my
feet splashed into water and | was up
to my knees before could check.
wasn't In the river for I could hear
the flood roaring well to the right Of
me, besides, this water was stagnant.
The true nature Of the pool flashed into
my head; II was u backwater from the
river that had flooded the road and was
probably but a short distance across,
But ~ the miners knew OF any path
around they could head me Off, as my
progress through the water would be
slow, even II did not have to swim for
It and lose my bearings. Nevertheless,
straight ahead was my only chance.
Before l had got waist deep there
was flicker Of light ON the bank, and
by the glow Of brand which they had
snatched from the negroes fire / saw q
group Of my pursuers peering out
toward me.
He's taken to the water" said one.
"Then we've got him." cried another.
"Blll, you and Blbbey get around and
head him of"
| kept on till the water was at my
shoulders. Then something choked me
like u rope around my neck. | had
heard about the choking feeling of de
SPAR, and | thought this was It.
staggered aud almost fell back AZ
strange, thick smell clogged my nose.
On the surface Of the water there was
bubbling and chuckllng could feel
II at my feet too. II was queer. but
queer things don't make much differ
ence to man who liz going to be
hanged In five minutes. That was my
first thought. Then had better one.
| remembered the high water and the
gas, and l knew what that bubbllng
was and was ready to take the chance
and do u special turn for my life.
or course | had to have some talk
You don't get the full effect of these
things without good spiel The only
thing | could think Of was u patter
from book called the Last Days OF
Pompeii," 30 | gave 'em that.
Earth born villains" shouted, "be-
hold how the avenging Orcus spouts
forth flames from the face OF the wa
tiers to protect Its ownp
There were answering shouts from
all around the pond: "rhere he isp'
Where's the rope"
silence" yelled, "and behOldw
Then flashed my electric spark into
the middle Of the gus and dove. When
| came up ten yards away after stay
ing down as long as could, there was
big circle Of red, yellow and blue
flame dancing beautifully over the wa
ter. On the shore the brands filclered,
but they east light only on trees and
bushes. There wasn't living being In
sight, but all around there were
mighty crashing of brush and hOwls
that would shame u catamount The
miners lodge had chased the devil Just
as far M they wanted to. My act was
II sure enough hit.
l crawled out Oh the opposite side
and went on to Carton In u boat that |
found. Two days later my assistant
came along. Sledge Turner wasn't dead
after all. That's the reason they hadn't
lynched Bob He said II I'd go back
there ! could play TO =. II. o. for
month. but | couldn't see 1t. I'd had
enough. But II was u great ad. for me.
Some day I'm going to make an act out |
OF that nights work