The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-24

This situation could not stand the
tension for long; I realized that sooner
or later the game must have an abrupt
ending.
So, as lodged my persistent enemy.
I set my wits working to devise a
means of escape. The window seemed
my only hope. and 1 had lost all fear
Of the sentry in the more terrible dan
ger that confronted me.
Suddenly 1 exerted my strength and
thrust the table against the Mexican so
fOrcibly that he staggered backward.
Then I caught up a chair and after
swing around my head hurled 1t to-
ward him like a catapult- 1t crushed
him to the floor, and e'er he could rise
again I had thrown up the sash OF the
window and leaped out.
Fortune often favors the desperate
alighted full upon the form OF the un-
suspecting sentry bearing him to the
ground by my weight where we both
rolled into the grass.
Quickly ]. regained my feet and dart
ed away into the fower-garden, seek
ing to reach the hedges before my
guard could recover himself.
over my shoulder [ saw him kneel-
ing and deliberately pointing at me his
carbine. Before he could fire the fly
ing form of the Mexican descended
upon him from the window. There was
a flash and a report, but the ball weut
wide its mark and instantly the two
men We're struggling into death-grap-
pie upon the lawn.
Away I ran through the maze of
hedge and shrubbery, threading the
well-known paths unerringly. I heard
excited shouts as the guaFdsnen,
aroused by their comrades shot,
poured from the mansion and plunged
into the gardens to follow me. But it
was dusk by this time, and I had little
fear of being overtaken.
The estate was bounded upon this
side by an impenetrable thfck-set
hedge, but it was broken in one place
by a gardeners Toulouse, which had
door at each side, and thus admitted
one into a lane that wound through a
grove and Joined the main highway q
mile beyond.
Reaching this dollhouse dashed
within, closed and barred the door be-
hind me, and then emerged upon the
lane.
To my surprise saw a covered car
riage standing in the gloom, and made
out that the door stood open and a
man upon the box was holding the
reins and leaning toward me eagerly
as if striving to solve my identity.
Without hesitation I sprang into the
carriage and closed the door, crying
to the man:
Quick! for your Iife-drive onn'
Without d word he dashed his horses
and we started with a jerk that threw
me into the back seat
1 heard an exclamation in Woman'S
startled voice and felt a muffed form
shrinking into the corner of the car
riage. Then two shots rang out; I
heard scream and the sound of a fall
and now like the wind the maddened
horses rushed on without guidance,
sWaying the carriage from side to side
with a dangerous motion.
These Brazilian carriages have
trap in the top TO permit the occupants
to speak to the driver. I found this
trap, threw it upward, and drew my
self up until I was able TO scramble
into the vacant seat. The reins had
fallen between the horses evidently,
but we were now dashing through the
grove. and the shadows were so deep
that I could distinguish nothing dis
tinctly.
Cautious I let myself down until my
feet touched the pole, and then. rest
ing my hands upon the loins of the
madly galloping animals, I succeeded
in grasping the reins and returns safe
~ to the box seat.
Then braeed myself to conquer the
runaways, and when we emerged from
the grove and came upon the highway
there was sufficient light for me to
keep the horses in the straight road
until they had tired themselves suf1-
GENTLY to be brought under control.
During this time I had turned to
speak reassuring word, now and
then. to the unknown. woman in the
carriage.
Doubtless she had been both amazed
and indignant at my abrupt seizure of
her equipage; but there was not yet
time to explain to her my necessity.
We were headed straight for the
station at Cuyaba, and I decided at
once to send a telegram warning Ma
zanovitch of danger. For Paola had
turned traitor, the vault had been
opened, and the emperor was even now
on his way to Rio to arrest all who
had previously escaped the net of the
minister of police.
So we presently dashed up to the
station. which was nearly deserted at
this hour. and after calling a porter to
hold the horses I went into the station
to write my telegram.
NIazanovitch had asked me to Use
but one word. and although I had
moments thought assured me that u
warning of danger was sufficient.