Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-01-18

dtfDSS IUt NTdN NDfIITt ana nN Hay of great stone archway running through the width of the caSterly wing This passage which was not more than ten feet across was in effect q vault twenty feet high and thirty feet long. It was here that the noise attracted Inc, and into this narrow channel I ran, breaking unanimously upon the aggregated knot of men that seemed to struggle ill the uncertain light Stars illumined the sky very faintly. but ill that passage the gloom was heavy, and 1 could perceive very little. As 1 was casting about, tossing among the sway ing bodies. l saw immediately to my right the fair head of Sheppard rise, struck with the evening glow from without. Forthwith I dashed the body nearest me to the ground and with my fist dislodged another man in front of me. Then I heard Sercombe's voice raised in angry remonstrance l gathered nothing neither words nor sense, from it, but, occupied merely with the physical lust of battle, drove right through the press of the melee to Sheppard. It seemed to me then that there were dozens of people crowded within those narrow walls. but I believe, as a matter of fact, that there were only some eight of us. Sheppard rose and fell and rose again.
 "Ned! Ned,' he called, and at the sound, plunging upon human bodies, lurched and went under A stampede of feet seemed to rush over me. l felt battered and bruised; the wind was all out of my lungs; but, slowly edging on my stomach toward the wall, I drew out of the press As did so I heard great dull noise, thud thud interven- ing upon the sounds of the struggle, and presently. my eyes being now ac- eustomed to the darkness, caught sight of Montgomerys tall form, his arms uplifted and welding a heavy bar of iron.
 "Bravo. I cried and, struggling to my feet, pushed toward him.
 Turn, you fools. Curse you, turn!" said Sercombe's voice.
 I was conscious then of white teeth and grotesque screw neck that rose up before me, and even while I put up my hands to choke it I felt the warm sting of a knife in my shoulder blade. By some magical thought, dawning at the moment, 1 recalled Montgomery's revolver, which l carried in my breast pocket, and, producing it, fired at the bestial form before me. There was a sharp cry, the enemy appeared to re- coil, and then Montgomery's fail de- scended in pitless shower of blows. Of Sheppard there was no sign.
 Seeing that the atfray was turning in our favor, l sprang to the side, and, opening q small doorway in the south erly drum tower, rushed up the stairs. 1t was fortunate that I had made so complete study of the castle. l found the crank l wanted and turned the wheel. putting forward all the strength 1 had in my muscles. Slowly the mighty portculis descended, shrieking as it fell, but this, as I had hoped, fol- lowing upon the report of my revolver. and accompanied as it was with Mont gomery's continuous and powerful blows. proved the turning point for our enemies. As the grooming gate de-
  foreign tongue, and rush ensued for the gateway. Leaving the machine to revolve by its own impetus, 1 flew down into the arehway Sercombe stood in the light eXpostulating Mont gomery'S weapon stretched some one flat upon the stones as entered and the man crawled off l fired another cham Der of the revolver aimlessly. and the Hash lit up the passage while the groned vault The portculls fell low er and Sercombe was driven across the arawhrdge by his retreating allies.
 Dead or living, they shall have him." said some one in my ear. and I beheld Sheppard his face smcareu with blood. dragging q body in his arms. Togcth- pr we thrust it forth. and if lay half way across the threshold. The port eEliis dropped ineXorably and was now within foot of the ground The man Eay uHGrr thc range of its iron spikes The wheels creakcd above, and the distance shortened Montgomery ran forward and showed the body outward But it still hung halfway And then Serco.nbe came rapidly back and stooping. by swift movement drew the inanimate form from beneath the iron spikes of the drawbridge He said no word. but merely glanced at ns as we stood behind the grille
 As Sercombe's figure faded blackly into the night turned and peered into the gloom of the arcEway where my companion stood.
 Sheppard struck match. and the tiny flame cast q precarious light upon the three of us. Two streaks of blood crossed Sheppard $ forehead.
 { First blood and first honors,' Ee said.
 Montgomery breathed like q black smith.
 Tt was a mean trick" he observed
 An acute pain struck suddenly through my shoulder. "The foreiguc"s use their knives aptly.' l remarked.
 t9Thpy flo thato said MODtgoD9ery