Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-20

Montgomery and his hazardous ven
ture. blamed myself for not stop
ping him at any cost, and in my mind
eye l followed him In his pcrilous as
cent 1t was still too dark to watch
as yet shroudcd in vaguencss. and no
sound greeted us from the stiffness of
the breaking dawn | think some five
minutes passed in this dreadful stage
of anxiety. and then observed II
movement among the men below Evil
IDENTIFY they had concerted some plan,
and we were to resist fresh attack.
Just Mt this point and when our
thoughts had been necessarily called
Off Montgomery and We're directed to
the new development. there arose n
loud whooping Oh the battlements, and
a tall black body ran in the rear OF
the stormers and fell upon them. l
saw in the gray light something as q
fail rise and fall. and heard the as
tonished cries of the enemy.
Down! Down! Follow me-" l said
sharply and, scrambling by the stair
way, flew out upon the battlements,
with Sheppard and Williams at my
heels. had only my revolver for the
attack, but used the heavy butt free
ly, and cries and curses arose from the
pack of Greeks. They scattered like a
flight Of sparrows. and Montgomery
almost fell into my arms in the ardor
of his onset. Then we pursued, and
MS they ran fred some barrels Of my
revolver In the air. The alarm in
creased their panic, and, turning the
corner. they flung themselves in con
fusion on the ropes that connected
with the sycamore heard Sercombe's
voice cursing. but where in the melee
he was ] had no notion, for ut that
moment there arose before ,is, I can
not say whence, tall figure, very
1.-THE and active, that grappled with
me, gurging strange oaths Two strong
arms We're braced about my back, and
1t was with the utmost difficulty that
l kept my feet. Together we sw ycd
and rocked. drawing nearer to the edge
of the parapet.
With all the strength at my com
mand / flung my body forward, and
twisting my legs about my opponents,
l bore him sideways toward the roof
AS ! did so he wriggled II hand free
and snatched II to him, fumbling In
his coat I bent him backward and
suddenly his hand stood out before
my eyes, with all the light of the gray
dawn cleaning upon steel. Death GER
tainly affronted me In that second, but
l hardly knew 1t, for quickly an arm
was thrust over mine, where 1t grlpped
the rufiian round the loins, and the
next instant his hand fell and his head
went back, and, slipping through my
grasp, the body rolled over the para
pet and dropped. with splashlng
plunge, into the waters Of the moat.
1t was some seconds ere could look
round, and when did Sheppard was
standing by my side, n long Persian
dagger in his hand, gazing vacantly
over the stone coping, and the ram
parts were clear of the enemy.
you saved my life. old man." /
gasped.
II believe did," he returned slowly,
but seemed to be bordering something
SO remote and distracted was his air.
He stepped forward and severed with
his knife the ropes which bound the
sycamore.
'You must chop that down." he said.
Suddenly great glow lit up the
eastern heavens, and the trees and the
time worn ramparts rose green and
gray In the morning. The dawn broke
over u.s. No living soul was visible IN
that early light, and only the water
rocked family against the masonry OF
the castle, carrying Oh Its surface that
inert body.
Sheppard's hand opened in a spasm.
and the knife fell, cutting an arc Of
light He looked up at me and smiled
YEARLY. II think I'll go to bed. old
chap
"You have had no rest for forty-eight
hours" said 1. Don't be fool; sleep
before you think"
"Yes; l believe I'll take your ad-
vice. he replied mechanically and,
turning slowly, marched with a dull
and sober step toward the drum tower.
watched him 20, and then turned
to the others.
"Any damage?" asked.
Montgomery showed his teeth.
"Poohw he said. '"They didn't show
fightv'
Williams shook his head. II have
bad knuckle," he said.
positively yelled with laughter.
Somehow the hilarity would not be
denied. II owe you both thanks" l
said presently. Montgomery, you're
brick, and l won't forget It," He
hung his head in a sheepish fashion,
but doubt not was very well pleased.
Nov get you gone" l resumed.
"There will be nothing further tonight,
and If there is will let you know"
For my own part sleep was imprac-
ticable, worn and jaded though l was.
The events of the night and of that
sharp struggle clamored in my brain,
arresting every sense to attention. l
leaned over the parapet and watched
the dawn come up for the second time,
but today it rose in different circum-
stances, flushed and lurid, menacing
storm. The sky was red as with blood,
and black cloud fringed the margin
Of the horizon. My thoughts flew about
like whirling wheel. leaving upon me