Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-03
PRINCESS MARTHA
BY PERCY BREBNER.
Copyright. 1905. I. J. Mcbride { SOM

He had changed during the night. Some
thing-was it his courage?-seemed to have
left him, but in its place there had come
an addition to him. to his expression al
most to his character. Ellerey fancied He
watched the lad enter the tower. saw him
cast himself YEARLY into his corner. and
would have followed him had not Stefan
detained him.
ST was right, captain. vasIlici is coming.
They are gathering in the pass waiting for
him."
A little later a shout proclaimed the ar
rival of the chief. and Ellerey saw his huge
frame in the midst of his followers His
right hand was swathed In handkerchief
and rested in a sling and savage ferocity
was in his face as he looked up toward the
CASTLE His orders. and he appeared to give
many. were promptly obeyed. and he struck
one man viciousiy. perhaps because he
dared to offer advice unasked. 1t was evil
dence Of his power among them that no
one interfered, nor did the victim himself
retaliate. Men began to climb the oppo-
site slopes. while others massed themselves
at the foot of the zfgzag pass.
They are going to attack US at once.
captain" said Stefan. ut is to be hot
At the head Of the path the little band
Of defenders waited.
every shot must tell" Ellerey whis-
pered. "and keep well behind the stone
work. all of you"
The path was narrow with deep sides.
The brigands came up 1t boldly enough un-
til the last bend In it showed them the
stone-barred gateway. Then they halted.
behind who pushed them on and shouted:
'Forwardr Two men fired blindly at the
stone wall. and then rushed upon it. never
to reach their goal. Only two shots rang
out. but both men threw up their arms and
staggered backward upon their companions.
Not more than two abreast could come up
the narrow way, ard twice again a speedy
death crowned the temerity Of those who
| rushed to the attack. Those behind shout
ed to be let up to the 'front.' and those be-
fore made every effort to let them come.
The spirit of the brigands seemed to die
out of them their eyes fell upon their
dead companions and that silent death
dealing barricade. Then one fellow sud-
denly picked up a corpse. and holding it
| before him as a shield, dashed forward
with shout.
Let him come whispered Ellerey.
''Shoot at those who follow"
The man rushed to the wall until the
dead body struck the stonework Success
for moment seemed to be his. He had
plugged one narrow slit through which the
bullets came, and he cheered his comrades
on They came. but only to have their
leader fall back into their arms. Through
the slit Ellerey had driven his sword with
all his strength piercing the living through
the dead. 1t had been an ugly rush. but
for the present it was the last.
They'll try some other plan before at
tempting this way again." said Stefan.
us there any other way" Grigosie
asked.
For mountaineers there may be- These
fellows can walk In places where we
should never venture and only expect to
find flies
From the opposite mountain a desultory
| fire was maintained upon the plateau. which
could only do harm II the defenders were
careless. For the rest of the day the brig
ands held aloof. standing or sitting in
parties in the pass and watching the castle
Vasilicf STROBE from one group to- another
but no movement followed. There was NO
sleep for the defenders that night, and al
dawn, in spite of Stefan's forecast, an
other attack was made upon the gate. II
was as unsuccessful as the first. nor was
| 1t made with such determination. The
obedience to orders was only half hearted
ITO be Continued Tomorrow