Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-01-29
CHAPTER XIX.-tContinuedl

"Faix, he's in his skin, captain
"You dog" roarcd Mazzard, Aud there
was the report of a pistol followed by
wild shrek.
"Don't-don't kill" cried piteous
womans voice. Don't kill him"
"Not kill himT snarIed Mazzard.
mo, no. Spare him, and III tell you
"Beddd, an if yc do, I'll niver forgive
ye" cried Dinuy, fercey. I'VE don't
know nuwihing He's eschaped.'
"Where is hcw roarcd out Mazzard.
"Speak out, woman, or I'll blow his head
off!
Humphrey sprang up couple of steps
to defend Dinny; but Mary Dell lay
there, and to show himself was to betray
her-the woman he passionately loved. VI
himself he thought nothing.
But the task of betrayal to save her
lover was spared to Mistress Grecnhcys,
for, as Black Mazzard stood with one
hand on Dinnys shoulder, and his second
pistol pointed close to his ear, so that his
second shot could not fail one of his men
exclaimed aloud:
"Why, he's there! Look at the blood"
Mazzard turned and glanced down at
the floor upon which he stood then at the
stained stone which formed the cover of
the vault. He uttered a harsh laugh, for
the stone had been slightly moved
Here, half dozen of you!' he roared.
Lay holdp'
His men seized the stone; and after
one of two trials to raise it up, it was
thrust sideways and the hiding place re-
vealed
With a yell of savage delight Black
Mazzard began to descend, followed by
his crew. There was a clash of swords
two men fell, wallowing in their blood
and then Humphrey drew back into the
corner before Mary Dell, determined to
defend her to the last.
Two more men went down and there
was brief pause, followed by Il savage
rush and melee, in which Humphreys
sword snapped off at the hilt, and the
next minute he was above in the great
chamber between two of Mazzards men;
and Mary Dell was borne up to lie at
her conqueror's feet.
you savagew roared Humphrey, as
he sunk painting on stone.
"Savage! retorted Maz2ard, with a
brutal grin. "Stand up, you dog"
"Stand yourself-in the presence of
your kings otiicerw shouted Humphrey
In his rage
king" cried Mazzard, mockingly.
"rm king here. Now, then, your he
cried to his men, who enjoyed seeing him
bearded. Quick! two ropes!"
He turned sharply upon his men, who
hurried off to obey the command.
Humphrey gazed at Mazzard aghast
The threat implied in the order seemed
too horrible to be believed, and for the
1, To-
But Mazzard was in power; and in {
few moments the ropes were forthcoming
Before they could recover from theil
surprise he had torn a sword from one OF
them, ard whirling it round his head, h,
drove them back, and, clasping Mary
Dell's waist, stood with flashing eyes
ready for the first who would attack.
els there no man here who will help|
he shouted.
"Bedad there isl" cried Dinny, leapinl
upon the nearest and in moment tear
ing his weapon from his hand. IF di,
for it, captain 1t shall be like man."
Black Mazzard stood for momen
aghast at the daring displayed. Then {
grim look If savagery crossed his evi
countenance, and he drew his sword.
"Now, my lads" he said fercely, lit!
three ropes we want, see. Come on"
He made a rush forward, followed 10y
his men, but at this moment a solitar,
shot dashed from the folds of the curtain
and as the report reverberated through
the great stone chamber, Black Mazzart
spun round as il upon a pivot, and fel
with heavy thud upon the floor.
His men paused in their onslaught, ap
palled by the suddenness of their leader
fall; but as they saw Bart come forward
piece in hand. their hesitation turned t,
rage. aud they advanced once more to tn
attack
Good by! whispered Humphrey
bending for Il moment over Mary wh
chung to him, her eyes fixed on his will
/ longing, dcspairing gaze and then, a
he thrust her back, the attack began.
The odds were about eight to one, an,
He issue could not for a moment be II
ioubt hut hardly had sword met sword
md blow been exchanged, when rngin
cheer arose, and with a rush a couple o
dozen wcll-armcd sailors dashed in b.
corridor aud window, and the tables wer
completely turned
There was II rush made for the door
but those who tried in that direction wer
driven back; while half dozen VIII
backed iuto a corner of the great chan
ber as if desperately determined to Sc
their lives dearly, were boldly attacke
and beaten down, the whole party bcin
reduced from the savage band of follow
ers Of the dead rufan at their feet to
herd OF helpless prisoners, abject to
degree.
Humphrey saw nothing of this, onl
that thry were saved; for, dropping h
sword, he sank on his knees by the sid
of her who lay back with her eyes fiXe
upon his full of longing, imploring loo
lie beut down closely to her to take h,
hand in his, and started to find that
was cold, but there was vitality i'm
enough for the iugcrS TO close upon h
hand tightly, while the lips he kissed mo
ed slightly. and he heard as family as
just hrrathea:
1T Is better So"
mo, uo!' ne painted. I'VE are save
Mary --dearest-"
lie said no more, for the longing 10,
IN those eyes seemed intensified, and Il
pupils dilated slowly to remain fixed al
stern.
It was the buccaneers last look
earth.