Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-03-08

With all the strength at my com
mand l flung my body forward, and,
twisting my legs about my opponents,
I bore him sideways toward the roof
AS / did so he wriggled a hand free
and snatched it to him, fumbling in
his coat / 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
tainIy affronted me in that second, but
| hardly knew it, for quickly an arm
was thrust over mine, where it gripped
the ruffian 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 a splashing
plunge, into the waters Of the moat.
1t was some seconds ere could look
round, and when did Sheppard was
standing by my side, q 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." I
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 a 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 us. No living soul was visible in
that early light, and only the water
rocked family against the masonry Of
the castle, carrying on its surface that
inert body.
Sheppard's hand opened in spasm,
and the knife fell, cutting an arc Of
light. He looked up at me and smiled
YEARLY. Il think I'll go to bed, old
chap"
ssYou have had no rest for forty eight
hours" said l. Don't be fool; sleep
before you think"
Eyes; believe I'll take your adj
vice. be replied mechanically and,
turning slowly, marched with a dull
and sober step toward the drum tower
I watched him go, and then turned
to the others.
"Any damage7' + asked.
Montgomery showed his teeth.
"PoohF' he said. They didn't show
fght!''
williams shook his head. Il have
bad knuckle," he said.
positively yelled with laughter
Somehow the hilarity would not be
denied. q owe you both thanks I
said presently. Montgomery, you're
brick, and l won't forget It." He
hung his head in sheepish fashion,
but doubt not was very well pleased
Now get you gone" resumed.
"There win be nothing further tonight
and il there is will let you know"
For my own part sleep was inprac-
ticab1e, worn and jaded though was.
The events of the night and Of that
sharp struggle clamored in my brain,
arresting every sense to attention. T
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. Ny thoughts flew about
like whirling wheel, leaving upon me
dim impressions. The light grew
apace and struck the castle wallis with
IRE was aware Of something In the
moat below. but my mind made no
inquiries. 1t rested palpitant and turn
ing upon itself III idle revolutions. The
sounds Of the dawn crept out across
the quietude, and the trees waved and
shook III a gust Of Air. Disturbed By
this fux Of the wind, Or oyerbalanced