Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-12-25

ing into view, he saw the figure Of the
buccaneer approaching with head tent
and arms crossed over his chest, evident
~ deep in thought
Humphrey started up and backed away
round curve before turning. and walked
swiftly along the path, looking eagerly
for track by which he could avoid an
other encounter. when for the first time
he became aware of the fact that he was
nthe way leading to an old temple which
had been formed into a mausoleum, and,
unless he should be able to find another
path, bound for the ancient structure.
He climbed up the doorway and looked
back
All was silent and dim as he stopped
and entered, stepping cautiously on, and
then, as soon as well sheltered. turning
to gaze back Just then the buccaneer
came into sight and walked slowly to-
ward the old temple. There was no time
for further hesitation. He must either
! boldly meet the buccaneer or hide.
! lie chose the latter course. stepping
cautiously into one Of the recesses behind
n sitting figure. where he could stand in
complete darkness and wait till the buc-
cancer had gone.
The latter entered the next moment,
and Humphrey felt half mad with him
self at his spy-like conduct, for as he saw
| dimly the figure enter, he heard low
pteous moan, and saw him throw himself
upon his knees beside draped coffin, his
hands clasped. and his frame bending
with emotion, as in q broken voice he
| prayed aloud.
| His words were incoherent, and but
few of the utterances reached the listen
! ing mans ears, as he bit his lips with an
ger, and then listened with wonder at
what seemed a strange revelation of char
acter.
"Oh, give me strength! he murmured.
II swore revenge-on all-for the wrongs
| for the ath-loved-strength to fight
down this weakness-to be-self-for
| strengthen strength-to live-revenge-
death"
The last word of these agoniZed utter
ances was still quivering upon the air as
IL it had been torn from the speakers
breast, when the dimly seen doorway was
suddenly darkened and there was quick
movement.
Humphrey Armstrong; position was
one which enabled him, faint as was the
light, to see everything-the draped cot
fin, the kneeling figure bent over it, and
great crouchng form stealing softly
| behind, as If gathering for a spring.
There was the dull CLEAN of steel up
lifted by the figure bending over the buc-
cancer. Assassination, without doubt.
The moment of peril had come, lightly
as 1t had been treated, and, stirred to
the heart by the treachery and horror of
the deed intended, Humphrey sprang
from his place of concealment. struck the
buccaneers assailant full in the chest,
and they rolled over together on the tenn
pie foord.
"Quick, lads. helpr' shouted the man
whom Humphrey had seized. and two
companions rushed in for a general melee
to ensue at terrible disadvantage, for the
assailants were armed with knives ard
those they assailed defenseless as to
weapons.
Humphrey knew this to his cost in the
quick struggle which ensued. He had
writhed round as he struggled with the
would-be murderer, and contrived to get
uppermost, when a keen sense of pain
passing through one of his arms. made
him loosen his hold for a moment. end
the next he was dashed back.
He sprang up. though. to seize his as
sailant, stung by the pain into fit of saw
age rage. when, as he clasped an enemy,
be found that it was not his first antago-
mist, but a lesser man, with whom he
closed fiercely just as the fellow was
striving to get out of the doorway-.a pur-
pose he effected, dragging Humphrey
| with him.
The passage was darker than the inner
temple, where hoarse painting and the
sounds of contention were still going on
oaths, curses and commands uttered in a
savage voice to Give it him nowv'-
Now strike. you foolI"-"Curse him. he's
like an eel!'-and the like came confus-
eddy through the doorway, as. Smarting
with pain and grinding his teeth with
rage, Humphrey struggled on in the pas
sage, savagely determined to retain this
one a prisoner, as he fought to get the
mastery of the knife
| How it all occurred was more than he
could afterward clearly arrange in his
own mind; what he could recall was that
the pain weakened him, and the man
with whom he struggled wrenched his
left arm free, snntched the knife he held
from his right hand and would have
| plunged it into Humphreys breast had
not the latter struck him sharp blow
| upward In the race so vigorously that the
knife fell tinkling on the ground, and the
| struggle was resumed upon more equal
| terms.
Ii was a matter of less than a min
ute, during which Humphrey fought less
for life than to master his assailant and
keep him a prisoner. They had been
down twice. tripping over the stone
strewn pavement, and once Humphrey
had been forced against the wall, but by
sudden spring he had driven his oppo-
nent backward, and they were strug-
Cling in the middle of the opening when
a wild shrek rank out from the inner
temple-a cry which seemed to curdle the
young officers blood-and this was fol
lowed by rush of someone escaping.
His retreat was only witnessed by one,
for the struggle was continued on the
floor. The two adversaries, locked in a
tight embrace, strove to reach their feet,
and, painting and weak, Humphrey had