The Elbert County tribune., 1905-11-09

fcnii1c what al upiiiii tsiS.A lies peioiS Z
them; indeed, 1t must be through a
miracle that they escape. If at all.
As the guerrillas advance they open
fire on the carriage with all manner
OF guns; SO while this firing lasts 1t
is necessary for the defenders to lie
low, lest some of the missiles that sing
so lively a tune. and snap splinters
from the framework above. find a
more congenial lodgment within their
| bodies.
Smithers seems to realize that their
enemies are poorly provided with fire.
arms. He believes they will speedily
exhaust their fire, when 1t may be
reasonably safe for himself and allies
to reply.
Just as he figured so it comes to
pass. The shots, which dropped SO
fast in the beginning. become more
scattered and about cease
Now, give it to them!" roars
Smithers.
A gallant burst follows-fire flashes
in spiteful streaks from that side OF
the carriage.
Again they scatter, as before, leav-
ing a portion of their number on the
ground: but Jack notices difference
in their actions. The majority dash
alongside the carriage. They are
thus out of the allies range unless
one dares thrust his head and arm
outside, which action would be al
most suicidal.
Sounds are heard as of some one
pounding. They come from under
meath the carriage, and mystify even
Smithers for time. 1t is evident that
their enemies surround them, and
have even mounted to the roof, as
they can be heard moving about.
The suspense is torture.
Smithers has kept on guard, watch
ing the opening; nor does he watch
in vain. Without warning, he sud-
denly fires his pistol, and from the
foundering on the roof, together with
the terrible Spanish curses that cause
the girls to clap their hands over their
ears, 1t seems positive that some
reckless fellow allowed curiosity to
get the better of discretion when he
lowered his head in the attempt to in.
vestigate the interior of the carriage.
Jack can stand 1t no longer.
He already imagines he can hear
the cracking of flames underneath the
carriage. Something desperate. must
be done.
"Senor. assist me in opening the
other door just wide enough to allow
the passage of my body" he says to
Roblado.
inf tu1 1of
senor?' asks the Spaniard, while Jack
sees the girls rise to their knees at
his words as though in alarm.
Something must be done imme-
diately do not like to alarm the
ladies', but fear those wretches mean
to burn the carriage-that they may
be even now starting fires underneath
us" returns Travers. quickly, des.
perately.
'But tell me, how would your going
have any effect? They will shoot you
on sight. You are a brave man,
senior. but we cannot afford to lose
you," declares Roblado.
81 must go. l believe l can change
our conditions. The light of these
fires is apt to prove our ruin. See,
they are upon the curve; this other
side is almost in shadow. l will take
my chances. Once out senior, can
send the carriage perhaps two hun
dred yards away from this fatal spot"
"Alone-you, senor?"
"It is easy, l tell you. There, you
have the door ready to open. shall
CO."
HSapor I COO ror, ora datorr,;,1a
so goodbye, and Heaven protect YOU"
says Roblado. squeezing his hand.
Jack gravely wrings that of Smith
ers. for ne hardly expects to see him
again-at least, the chances are
against 1t.
Then, as he turns to squeeze
through the narrow opening, he is
stopped by the senor's daughter. who
seizes his hand.
'Sir, the Virgin guard you. This
night you may win that which you
prize above all else on earth Jessie,
bid him Godspeed," says the Spanish
| girl, hastily.
e Then Jack for the second time in
his life holds the hand OF his wife
in his own, and ere he releases it he
has pressed kiss there.
He dares linger no longer. but filled
with high aspirations regarding the
desperate plan that has flashed upon
his mind. he slips through the narrow
opening.
Just as he feared, the crafty assail.
ants are endeavoring to start a new
blaze under the forward end. Their
diabolical intention is TO have the
carriage afire, when those who have
twice given them such a warm recep
tion must come forth to their fate OF
rcast in the flames.
| Travers has chance to put his
little plan into operation.
Creeping along beside the carriage
he reaches the wheel where All Sir