The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-25
CHAPTER XVI.
A RuGLE CALL.


The night passed without an attack. 1
prepared fire as before. but II was not
needed Day dawned. and wecould see
that the guerrillas had made themselves
more comfortable. having constructed n
rude hut Of boughs for shelter. showing
conclusively that they intended to-, wait
patiently for the starving process to do
Ats work.
During the day tho remnant of the
provisions Jack had purloined was con-
eumed and the command was supperless.
Again we entered upon a long. weary
night Al except myself we're so worn
that they evinoed little care for watching.
They were getting benumbed, a condition
which comes at last over one hunted for
his life. AS for me- my position was bar
rowing. My devoted friends who had
made the attempt TO rescue me were
starving. and. to crown all. Helen Stan
forth who had instigated the attempt
had planned II and had led the others
into II. was deceived as to my true char
acter. brooded over the situation till /
was we'll nigh insane. Then I made a
resolve--a resolve that might free the
others. but would end in my death. I
would 40 down to the guerrillas and give
myself up. 1t was possible that my case
having been disposed Of, Captain Ringoid
and his adherents would be able to pro-
tect the girls. and Buck and Ginger being
Of no moment TO the band. all might go
In peace.
But there was an obstacle In the way
that I knew would not be easily over
dome-the opposition OF all my friends
IL was hard for me to 60 down 10 my
death. How could l bring myself to do so
with all these. beloved ones endeavoring
to prevent me. There was one way by
which might render them less averse TO
the plan. BY proclaiming the military
mission which had taken me to Alaba ma
might render myself an object Of hatred
and contempt. Despite the pain this
confession would cost me. / resolved to
make It,
At the moment I took my resolution
looked up at Helen. who was always
my first object OF thought before any
important move. She was leaning over
the battlement looking down upon the
guerrllas. In her face was a strength
an honesty such / had never seen
before on that OF any woman. Ny re-
solve dwindled before that heroic coun-
tenance. ! could not turn her sublime
faith in me to detestation.
However. my purpose to end the strug
gle by my own surrender was unchanged
Rising, i called out In a tone which at
once attracted attention and denoted that
had something OF importance to say.
Dear friends!"
All looked at me inquringly.
II am going down there to give my
self up. Then you can go free"
Helen's gaze bespoke not only her as
tonishment, but dismay.
what yo' going to do that fo'?' asked
Jack quickly
Because l owo IL to you all to do
So"
I'm goin with yo." said Buck
you will do no such thing. You must
stand by your sister and cousin"
What do you want TO leave us In the
lurch TO- said Jack impatientiy.
This imputed motive brought a fresh
AAA l<..
perefect understanding between me and
the others my burden was hard enough to
bear. Jacks taunt well nigh turned the
scale Bending to the cliff. | buried my
fsce In my hands. A sof; hand was laid
on mine. Helen was endeavoring to un-
ccver my face. turned and met her
gazs--strong tender. sympathetic.
Y,ur life Is not yours TO surrender.
You must wait till IL Is forced from you"
daolgitnesoruphilshoa ,tnhispthe :gper- EE
II would be unworthy OF your sub
lime devotion should accept aony fur
ther sacrifice. especially since 1t can be
cf no avail"
by giving UP now you would turn
ell our efforts TO nothing. We shall have
made a failure that will remain an eternal
burden.
1T viii be light compared with my
self condemnation when 1 see you die
with me-"
BY this time Jack had seized my other
hand with both OF hers
"Yo can't go. Yo' mustn't think OF
IT, What would we do without yo?'
Cease trying to make a coward OF
me" cried. "or shall go mad"
] sprang toward the rampant
''Stop!" cried Helen, imperativeIy. Il
own your life to dispose OF as l WILL
and Jack. Had IL not been for me you
would have bled TO death when you re-
ceived your wound. Had IL not been for
Jack you would have already been mur-
dered by the guerrillas."
Yes. and / am not so base es to pull
my benefactors down with me. Stand
aside
"Harki"
Jack spoke the word In her quick way,
poising her head on one side to listen
ene heard low whistle. In another
moment IL was repeated, seeming to come
from below, where we hao built our bon
fire. A figure was advancing .hrough the
gloom. holding aloi, a white handker-
chief. i jumped from the rampant and
ran down to meet this rag" which |
soon saw was borne by Captain Ringold.
What do you want?"
Don't let your women come into our
camp again. Jaycox is back and he
and Halliday have got the upper hand.
"win your men let the women go II
give myself up9'
mo; stay with them to the last
zone word more"
There's no time. have stolen away.
and II am missed and It's known where
l have been I'll be dead man."
He was gone before the last word was
spoken. | returned to the fortress.
what IL it7' cried Jack expectantly.
"He has lost the power 10 protect you
He advises me TO stay with you TO the
last"
''Wili your
YES" replied with n sigh.
Thank Godr' exclaimed Helen.
Another night OF horror: a rising sun,
flooding the face OF tho rocks and our
wan faces with a ruddy glow. A more
wretched lota OF things could not be
found among castaways at sea. We
had not slept during the night for what
ever OF rest had come TO any Of us had
been rather stupor than sleep. Our
cheeks were sunken; our eyes, deep In
their sockets. were turned toward the
red orb of day. which TO our feversd inn
aginations seemed 10 be advancing to
strike the final blow