The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1907-06-14
CHAPTER XIV.
The Fight in the Library.

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Certainly. Their general has bee
sFursing them right heartily for re
sreating without the loot. He want
MS 100000 autograph collection" oh
lRrved Larry
why doesn't he come for It him
aelf like man." demanded.
Like man, do you say" ejacu
ihted Larry Faith and you fatte
tnat fathead!"
II was nearly II o'clock when the at
sAcking party returned after a parley
an the ice behind the boat house. The
Sour of US were on the terrace ready
1or them. They came smartly through
me wood the sheriff and Morgan
dightly in advance OF the others
expected them TO slacken their pace
Ehen they came to the open meadow
but they broke into a quick trot at the
water tower and came toward the
Aouse as steady as veteran campaign
drs.
shall we try gunpowder?" asked
larry.
Wen let them fire the first vol
ley" said.
They've already tried to murder
FOu and Stoddard-I'm in for letting
hose with the elephant guns" Larry
protested
Stand to your clubs admonished
Stoddard whose own weapon was
comparable TO the Scriptural weayer's
beam. Possession IS nine points Of
che fight and we've got the house"
ALSO a prisoner of war" said Larry
grinning.
The English detective had smashed
the glass in the barred window OF the
potato cellar. where Larry had lodged
Aim, and we could hear him bowling
and cursing below.
Looks like business this time," ex-
claimed Larry. Spread out now and
die first head that looms over the bal.
zstrade gets dose of hickory.
The attacking party now divided.
ealf hating between US and the bridge
and the remainder swinging around
The house toward the front entrance.
"Ah, look at that yelled Larry
ITS a battering ram they have. o
man Of peace, have I your Majesty's
consent to try the elephant guns
now"
Morgan and the sheriff carried be
tween them stick OF timber from
which the branches had been cut
and, with third man to help. they
nan it up the steps and agains, the
door with crash that came booming
and eohoing back through the great
Aalls of the house
Bates was already bounding up the
Eront stairway. a revolver in his hand
and a look Of supreme rage on his
tsee. Leaving Stoddard and Larry 10
watch the library windows, I ran afte-
him and we clatterei over the loose
boards in the upper halI and into a
great unfinished chamber Immediately
aver the entrance. Bates had the win
dow up when ] reached him and was
veil out upon the COPING yelling
warning to the men below
He drew his revolver up TO shoot
Ena~Yhen caught his arm he turned
% ND with a look Of anger and Indir
nation ! had never eEpecied to see on
his coloIless. .mask-like face
MY God. sir, That door was his
pride, slr-is came from a famous
house in England and they're wreck
ing it as though it were ccmmc1
pine
He tore himself free from my GRASP
as the besiegers again launched their
Entering ram against the door with
a frightml crash. and his rey0lyc-
cracked smartly thrice. as he bent fa-
out over the door
His shots were a signal Tor a shar,
reply from one Of the men below. a75
ielt Bates start and pulled him ~
the blood streaming from his face
It's an right sir-all RIGHT -oaly
cut across my cheek. sir"-aud an
other bullet smashed through the
glass, squirting plaster dust from the /
vail. A fierce onslaught below caused
tremendous crash'to echo Through |
She house and heard firing on the 1
opposite side, where the enemys re
serve was waiting
Bates, with handkerchief to his |
face, protested tina, he was unhurt
Come below; there's nothing to be /
7inei here"-and ran down to the
hall where Stoddard stood leaning
Epon his club like a Hercules. and
eoolly watching the door as # leaped
and shook under the repeated blows OF
The besiegers.
A gun roared again al the side Of
che house. and ran to the library. /
Ehere Larry had pushed furniture
against al the long windows save one.
Ehieh he held open. He stepped out
upon the terrace and emplied revol
yer al the men who We're now creep
ing along the edge OF the rayine be-
meath Us One Of them stopped and
discharged rifle at us with deliber
ate aim. The bali snapped snow from
he balus.rade and screamed away
Bah such monkeysl" he nut.
sred = believe I've hit that chap"
)ne man had fallen and lay bowling
n the ravine. his hand to his thigh.
Shile his comrades paused, demon.
LIKED.
Serves you right you blackguard!"
AIRY mu,tered.