Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-04-14

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would bleed to death.
"Ah. I heard Joey barking He has
gone aft" cried Elsie. And what is
that?" she added, moving suddenly to-
ward the center Of the salon. She
had caught the fierce hiss of steam.
and she was we'll aware that steam
would only be brought into use if the
Indians were endeavoring to climb the
ships sides. Not yet hud it occurred
that they could possibly be on board.
"Some of our friends the enemy have
come near enough to be scalded." said
the man coolly. THAT should soon
drive them away. You are not fright
ened. hope?"
|. Not bit My only regret is that
am not permitted TO help in the de-
tense. 1t must be irksome for you. DR..
Christobal, to be stationed here when
the ship Is In danger. ] am certain
you would prefer to be up there with
the Others"
Thank you for saying that. wish
you were able to read all my thoughts
rs accurately"
His right hand went to the pocket In
which he had placed the revolver. The
stock appeared to have a peculiar clam
miness as his fingers closed around it.
Though he was proud of the iron nerve
which had won him repute in his pro-
fession. he almost prayed now that it
might not fail him at the last. What
horror. to be compelled with his part
two MI l.,;,v
cious woman crumple up on the deck.
He heard ominous sounds from the
fore part of the vessel. The revolver
shooting had ceased. for the conyinc-
ing reason there were no more car
tridges. Courtenay's double barreled
gun was being fired as quickly as he
could reload 1t. and the sharp snap of
one of the rifles in the Indians posses
sion was recognizable as coming from
the poop. tie remaining marksmen
having preferred to fire wildly from
their canoes. But Christobal knew that
a deadly struggle was in progress on
the fore deck. Tollemache. Frascuelo
| and three Chileans were engaged in a
hand to hand fight with nearly a score
guish the cries of the combatants. the
irregular stamping of boot shod feet
| He wondered why the girl. with her
acute senses. did not grasp the signiti-
canoe of the yells and trampling on the
deck until 1t occurred to him. with a
quick pang. that she was listening for
one voice alone. Owing to her igno-
rance of the desperate nature of the
conflict raging overhead she had ears
| for nothing further.
He placed q hand on her shoulder
She turned and looked ut him. There
was gravity In his eyes which star.
tied her.
Elsie" he said, you believe in the
efficacy of prayer. don't you? Well
then. pray now little. shall be glad
to think when this time of danger has
' passed that we owed something tc
your invocation"
1 It was In his mind that he mus
shoot her within a few seconds. an6
the Unreasonable agony of the thought
reflected itself in his face. He had NJ
notion that she would give his word.
more direct significance than he in
tended them to bear. But strange
hoarse yell of triumph. the war cry o.
an Alaculof leader who had hauled
himself to the bridge and found 1t I'm
defended. warned her In the same mo
ment that all was not we'll with tn,
defense.
+. She sprang toward the salon stairs.
"Do you hear that?' she cried in /,
ringing voice. There are Indians OF
board. Come! We must not stay her
when our friends are fighting for thei
J lives"
Chrfstobal knew that this active CIR
would readily outstrip him in race t
, the deck. She was already several fee
; distant. but he must detain her. n
, matter what the cost. If she fell int
: the clutches of the ghouls then over
, running the Kansas she might not b
killed. but only wounded. and her sui
ferings would be inconceivable ere til
, end came.
, "You are wrong" he shouted, wit
} convincing vehemence, "but If yo
J wish to see for yourself at least ailoy
t me to go first"
While he was speaking he ran fol
} ward. She thought he meant what b
said and waited for him. Then b
caught her right arm firmly In his lef
: hand.
"Let US wait here a moment or two.
D he breathed.
= mo. mol am going now. You sha
9 not hold me back. You don't under
stand. The man l love is up Their;
8 perhaps surrounded by savages. LIE
j me go. tell you. II he is dying sha
die by his side! Let me go! Woul
: you have me strike your She turf
t led on him like an angry goddess an
! Istrove to wrest herself from his griy
r at that instant Tollemache and Fra.
. Icuelo. the only survivors of the deadl
. Istruggle forward. were driven back b
a rush OF Indians. They caught sigh
3 OF others leaping down the bridge CON
. ipanion. 8
ITO the salon. Courtenayr' roare
Tollemache, clearing a path for hin
q self with an iron bar which he swun
u both hands. Followed bx Frascuel,