The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-12


then been planning the verp crime
which they were now carrying out
As Mertrez came into fun view OF the
men and made sure that the larger one
was he whom he had named in his own
mind as BrulO. the son OF the gitano
witch, he felt a sudden tightening OF
his muscles and struck his horses
Hanks more sharply than before
Al the same time he drew the second
I pistol from the holster and charged
down on the group holding a Ieveled
weapon In each hand
The larger bandit was pointing his
Pistoi toward the carriage, while his
\ follower devoted his attention 10 the
/ two servants who had fallen on their
knees and we're blubbering for mercy.
/ All this Mertrez took in at a glance
as he flew along the soft woodland road.
| on which his horses hoofs made EF-ls
/ sound As he drew urtr. and at the
/ very moment when the sound OF his ap-
/ proach attracted the startled giauces Of
the two robbers. a young woman thrust
her head from the upper side OF the
| carriage.
] Her gaze followed that Of Brulo him
self. She observed the headIong ap-
/ proach Of the horseman. and divining
/ that his mission was one Of aid. she
/ quickly drew back into the carriage. 90
4 the same time shouting in strong
/ young voice. made shrill for the mo-
/ ment by her excitement:
/ ITO the rescue. senior"
/ The smaller bandit wheeled at the
| cry and discharged his weapon in the
/ direction Of Mertrez. but his hasty aim
and the speed at which the other was
/ moving sent the shot wide OF the mark.
! The officer had made no effort 10
slacken his gait. having determined to
ride down his more formidable antag-
onist If possible. and al the same time
/ to shoot the other
] In the latter attempt he was success
| full When almost abrea ST Of the men
he fired one pistol at the smaller bandit.
who threw up his hands and tOppled
over on the spot
At the same time BruIo. who had
faced about with his follower. but had
| taken more time for his aim fired d.
rectly into the face Of Mertrez's horse,
/ leaping nimbly as he did so 10 one side
to avoid the impact Of the steed's body.
The bandits attempt 10 rid himself OF
| this new assailant would have been sue
| cessfuI had not the officers horse reared
before the weapon.
/ For a moment II seemed that he would
/ toppIe backward with his rider. His
nostrils, dilated with fright, showed
/ f-)od red, his forefeet paved the air
as though seeking TO strike down the
/ assailant
! For a moment he balanced himself in
| air; then as the weapon beached forth
/ its charge he plunged forward. receiving
( the bullet inteadeG for his rider in his
own vitals.
The rearing Of the horse. although il
had saved the life of Lieutenant Mer-
trez. had destroyed the hasty aim which
the latter had taken at the head OF
the bandit The charge of his second
( pistol did no fatal harm, bu; II tore
away the mans cheek. scattering the
! coach beside which he stood with a
| crimson spray.
| Although the gallant horse had re-
ceived his death wound the impetus
! with which nc dashed forward carried
4 him on for a few spasmodic bounds be-
/ fore he fell to the earth, h1rling his
/ rider some half dozen PAGES ahead OF
/ him in the roadway.
Mertrez landed upon his shoulder, but
the soft mold beneath the thick grow
/ ing trees did no worse injury than to
soil his face and garments.
He was stunned and dizzy from the
shock but scrambled at once TO his
feet, and, snatching his sword from its
! scabbard, he whirled 20 meet the ex-
pected attack of his remaining opponent.
| TO whom, so far as he was aware, he
had done no damage whatever.
This maneuver was executed none too
soon. Brulo. although half blinded by
tne blood from his wound. had seen his
/ opportunity In the fan of the horse,
and sprang forward seizing the short
sword from his belt, to finish his an
tagonist
Breathless as they were. sLd without
a word between them. the two men
faced each other. The contest began on
( very equal terms. Their firearms were
useless. for the time required for either
/ to reload one Of the cumbersome pistols
would enable the other 10 plunge a blade
/ into his antagonist
! Had he acted with the customary cool
I ness Of his trade. BrUlo would have
made good his escape when the oppOr-
/ tunIty offered. But the pain Of his
wound had Infatuated him, and nothing
/ less than the life of his opponent would
now satisfy his vengeance.
! As for the servants and the inmates
OF the carriage. he disregarded them en-
| tirely. He could well afford 10 do SO in
+ yet collected their scattered senses suffi-
, GENTLY 10 make use Of the firearms
which still hung on the rack at the rear
OF the coach.
As Mertrez dashed past the carriage
on his horse he had caught glimpse
of the white faced young woman who
had withdrawn 50 suddenly at his ap-
proach When he turned 20 face Brulo
he saw her looking forth again.
She uttered no word after her first
CRY for aid. but gazed upon the impend-
/ ing conflict in what seemed very
paralysis OF fear.
As the two men stood facing each
other they were very evenly matched
! The apparent advantage lay with Mer-
( trez. because Of the greater reach az
forded by his weapon and the inconven-
ience suffered by his antagonist on &C
count Of his wound. which was bleed
Ing profusely.
As a matter Of fSot the short sword Of
the gitano rObber was a most effective
weapon IN the hands OF man so agile
and so skilled in its manip llation as
! Brulo proved 20 be.