The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-27

to the woman.
rs there a back way out?'
only into the lane, thence to Beaver
street in among the ruins; but ye can go
upstairs and down the outside steps at
the back"
so be it. and quick. to- Acton, pick
your man and come on We were up
stairs, had laid him In the gable, and
were hurryng down to the second story
again, when a crash told US we were too
late and in a moment the hall was tull
of men. They saw US at the top of the
stairs, and started up.
Now, man, lets have it. I cried, and
we both fired at the leaders as they came
up two steps at time. Two men threw
up their arms and fell back on the others
and the whole crew rolled back to the
floor.
Again Acton"
AYE, man." laughed the reckless chap,
take the first. and the second So! We
wasted nothing. -Four men laid dead on
the stairs before the others could retreat.
But our four pistols were of no further
rse.
1. 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 we'll do We no
harm, cried one. IF ye do not, God
help your soulsl"
Don't bother strangers by calling on
en-" said Acton. in a jeering tone, but
come on, my lambs and take usi'
A growl was the only answer as they
started up the stairs again. We had the
slight advantage of light, as well as be-
ing above, and as the first two began to
engage Acton, who stood at the top, l
knocked the nearest over with the butt of
my pistol, and then, leaning out from the
crazy ba.lustrade, began an exchange OF
thrusts with the next two. they fighting
| I..s.- IL I ar1r1
them.
They stood their ground well, prevent
ing by their own bodies any others from
taking part, until another jeering laugh
from Acton was followed by the bodies
of his men tumbling back upon them,
tripping the whole crew over one anoth-
er to the bottom, amid cries and curses
that would have raised the dead. The
howl was taken up by those in the hall
and then to our CONSERVATION a loud
shout of many voices came from the
street. Running to the sashless window,
1 saw half a hundred soldiers crowded
around the door.
Back again. cried Acton. the towns
on the way upstairs!" and in truth it
looked so; for they had found round ia
BILE, and holding this above and before
them, they were coming slowly up two
abreast and as close as they could step.
II have it, cried Acton-the man SEEM
&c always to become gay in a fight and
find his best wits at the most hopeless
time Quick, man. that Cupboard It
will make cheese of the whole lot" And
we lifted a great double-doored clothes
press standing in the hall. Acton, the
woman, and l, and pushed 1t over the
stairs, carrying ballustrade and all with
1t. The blow was a terrible 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 set me off as well.
The situation was changed for the mo-
ment, for the brave cupboard had iammed
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 stified cry from the old wo-
man showed us behind the spot where the
cupboard had stood a frameess window
looking out on the roof of the next house.
Roof there was rome, however, only
only blackened timbers, with here and
there patch of shingles still clinging in
place.
II was a chance, and we took it. We
were out in a moment, clambering over
the creaking timbers and down on the
farther slue into a lane, no wider than a
mans body, between two buildings.
There was but one way to CO. and that
into Broadway, and in another moment
or three hundred people standing about
the door of the fated No. 2. bowling and
yelling, asking questions and giving opin-
ions to one another. Manifestly this was
the safest place for the moment, ELL we
heard cry of joy from the inside, and
knew that the leaders must have over
come our friendly cupboard.
Come, said l to Acton. and led him
across the green to Clintons house. easily
distinguishable for so many lights and
music coming from 1t. At the door we
were challenged by sentry and asked
what was our business.
Special mesa ge to the COMMANDMENT
Chief. 1 must see him at once said l.
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
"'T is a dangerous thing to waste time.
my friend, when Sir Henry Clinton is
concerned. Call his secretary here at
once" and l stood aside on the steps to
allow some late arrivals to enter, as If
the matter were settled
But you'll get us hanged, man." whis-
rered Acton. IF you
Hold thy tongue. mani l said in the
same tone.
But l don't see"
well, corporal. are you not gone yetr'
/ asked engrily. do you know that your
lead will drop off if this delay gets
about?"
Il have my doubts" he answered; but
I'll call Mr.. Cameron"
Cameron, tl.en, was the secretary, and
he came in moment, dressed in black
end rubbing his thin hands together
Mr.. Csmelcn," l said before he could
speak. II am Mr.. Merton, ond this is Mr.
Roberts. We have just come from New
port and Verple ncks with dispatches for
Sir Henry. VIII you notify him at
once?' And 1 showed him the dispatches
He looked at us a moment through his
| marrow Ittle eyes and finally said:
Come this way, gentlemen. If you
please" and going around the side of the
house, We enter ed by smaller door into
d cross corriocr. AS we passed along, 1
saw brilliant series of rooms, polished
floors and groups Of uniformed men and
beautifully dressed women walking up
enc DOWN the hall and dancing in the
large ballroom. Then in an instant we
stood in a diInly lighted-room.
At the end CT five minutes a large door
opened on the other side of the study or
office, and bright light from one of the
bathrooms bust in upon us. A large
hand held the door for an instant, and
my body stiffened as heard lively girl
ish voice | knew In my dreams now, say
ing half angrily half playfully:
But. Sir Henry, this is my dancer'
MY Gear Mistress Dolby, ] am far
mere unhappy about 1t than you can be-
said Ugh, somewhat querulous mascu-
line voice.
II do not believe IL If t were true you
would not run away So"
Thers oams some answer which was
lost to us in the study: for at that mo-
inent the door opened wide, and a tall,
thick-set man entered and closed II