Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-02
CHAPTER XIV.
The Race for Life.

The Race for Life.
The action man will take in crisis
Is exceedingly difficult to gauge beforehand
AS rule. such moments happen from a
chain of circumstances which the man has
not foreseen. and therefore has made no
preparation to meet and his conduct is like
ly to be guided entirely by the attitude Of
those about him, without any question of
right or wrong without a thought of what
has occurred in the past or what may hap
pen In the future. This was Ellerey's po-
sition. He had expected to see the brace
let of medallions; instead he saw a golden
cross. He knew that in some manner he
had been deceived, and who but the queen
could have placed this unexpected token in
his keeping? By his manner he knew that
the golden cross held some meaning for the
brigand. a meaning of which Eilerey was
absolutely ignorant. and under other condi-
tons he might have admitted his ignor-
ance and entered into explanations AS it
was the whole bearing of Vasilici, his blus-
ter and his swagger, had aroused Ellerey's
anger. He had felt that the man was
crafty enemy. even at the moment of de-
livering what he supposed to be a friendly
message, and the keen desire to show his
contempt for him had made his tongue
smart with unspoken words and his hands
Jingle to be clenched and to strike. He had
forced himself to decent speech and atti-
tude. but now his anger asserted itself No
question of duty or expediency seemed to
bind him. only boastful enemy was before
him to be answered in the same fashion as
he questioned and If that did not suffice to
be punished he merited.
That is the token as L received it," said
Ellerey.
AS the brigands had held up the token
Grigosie had leant forward to see it, the
color mounting into his cheeks. Now his
enthusiasm appeared to get the better of his
prudence. and he cried out:
Long live our country! Down with all
yb1 lteh0 Il
in the light of Gods good sun: 1t is a bene-
dfction on this day, a promise of brighter
days to follow. Summon your legions, Va
silici. and on to Sturatzberg where the hor-
nets are nesting ready for destruction"
The brigand glanced at the boy con-
temptuously.
What bantam is this you have brought
to crow for you?'
"The boy speaks we'll enough" said Ell
lerey. There is the token, where is your
answer?'
Here. and here" was the quick answer
as he hurled the cross high into the air
behind him. and at the same time blew
shril whistle. THAT is Vasilici's answer to
liars. and this his swift punishment"
The mans movements were so 1.-THE and
quick. SO utterly unexpected. that he had
sprung upon Ellerey before the words had
fully left his lips. The long blade of his
knife caught the sunlight, even as the
golden cross had caught it a moment ago,
and Ellereys appraised arm alone protected
the swift stroke did not come. A revolver
shot awoke the echoes of the hills. and with
howl the great brigand leapt backward,
his knife falling harmlessly to the ground,
and his arm useless to his side.
The bantam's answer" cried Grigosie.
ITO me, captain!'
1t at once evident that Vasilici had
not ventured to the interview without sup
port. The hills in front of them were i'm
mediatey alive with men scrambling down
ward to the very ground the little band oc-
cupied. Men were in the ravine behind
them rushing up to cut off retreat that way.
Cries and shouting were on every side. some
calling for surrender. others shouting that
the soldiers had been deceived by their cap
tain. In the sudden confusion Ellerey gave
quick commands, as. with sword In hand
he sprang to the rising ground where Girl
gosie stood; but his orders were either not
heard or came too late for obedience. Be
fore the soldiers could come to him, the
brigands were between them.
1T is madness to stay" whispered Girl
gosie. THE hill behind us is clear"
The boy fired twice in quick succession at
men who had raised their rifles ready to fire
at them, and although In answer a dozen
bullets sang past Them the aim was faulty
in the excitement.
"Shoot them both!' was the shout
'Shoot them!' Numbered Vasilici.
Come whispered Grigosie.
They scrambled upward together the I'M
evenness of the hillside protecting them
for a moment from the flying bullets.
marked our Olrectl0n, SAID Gr1gOSle.
1--WE can keep to this kind path for little
way. and with luck cross the open presently
toward the horses
They ran on, crouching lest their heads
should be seen and mark the direction they
had taken. Grigosie ref1lled the empty
chambers of his revolver as he went and
Ellerey put up his sword and took his re-
volver instead. Behind them the firing had
ceased, but they could not doubt that they
were being swiftly followed: and spread
over the open which they must needs cross,
hundred men probably barred their way.
Unless they were already there when we
passed they will hardly have time to in
tercept u.s. was Grigosie's answer to this
fear.
Probably they were there, lad" said Ell
lerey. We've about an equal chance with
the hare that is being coursed."
He gets away sometimes" was the an
swer.
They ran swiftly, mounting higher and
higher as they went Once they caught
sight Of men running in the path below
them. and presently of others climbing the
hillside to reach the summit before them,
but no shout told them that they themselves
had been seen.
Don't fire, Grigosie, unless it is absolutely
necessary" said Ellerey. ct would betray
our whereabouts and we shall want all our
cartridges to stop them across the OPEN
/ The boy nodded and ran on.
1.-The top at last! he exclaimed. "That
height yOnder is our mark. If We can reach