Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-12
THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE.
By ROBERT AITKEN.
Copyright The

waited for the final assault they feared
but which did not come. and made such
preparation they might for. the sortie
they had decided on the upshot OF
their discussion.
Such ammunition as was left among
them they divided equally. Their scant
supplies of food and water were devoted
chiefly to the invalids. They laid fires
to be lit at dark in order to deceive the
enemy. And Alardyce contrived. with
weights and cords and torches. an in
genious device by means of which shots
might be fired at intervals for some time
after they should have left. from the
otherwise unserviceable rifles they had
found among the dead two days before
Toward dusk. however. they became
aware of fresh stir within the distant
camp. which had lain in such quietude
since morning, and. with their glasses.
watched the arrival there from Alta Cruz
of a field column fit to face an army
corps
They honor u.s." said Meggs. contemp
tuously. as they saw the last company
march in. We're only nineteen strong.
and they seem to have sent half the popu-
f! lation of the republic up to tackle us
$50 much the better for us after we get
past them" Allardyce responded. cheer
fully. But for all his brave words his
heart was heavy. What possible chance
could nineteen men have against such
odds?
Il don't think they'll attack tonight
he added. Their reinforcements must
have had a hardish day of 1t if they've
come from the capital.
But all the same l think we should
slip out in good time. There's no u.s.
waiting until they surround us and then
trying to escape.
I'll take stroll down to the tunnel
mouth and see if alrs clear there. Then.
if you both agree with me. we'd better
start right off. before the moon comes
over the mountain"
III go below with you Meggs said.
and Denny can keep watch till we get
back"
They went away together. through the
chapel and the crypt. into the long. dark
passage. which was strangely warm.
At the pit mouth they stopped to peer
down. and Allardyce uttered startled
exclamation.
Cad! Jerry" he CALCULATED There
seems to be something wrong here. or
else my eyesight's failing. The darkness
looks too solid to- He bent above the
opening and let fall stone. little squirt
of liquid rose Immediately below them
and splashed back. y ripple overspread
the blackness.
Its water Meggs cried. and they
looked at each other with startled eyes.
1t must have been Denny's tampering
with the arrangements underground" he
suggested. more slowly. 1.-The we'll S
closed and the waters rising here.
And there must be a stream behind it
to force it up. Allardyce. What if it S
cut the conduit to the reservoir.'
This must be where the heat is coming
from" his friend said, in an anxious
voice. We've struck hot ppe-and it S
going to food this Passage presently.
Think of the rate it must be rising at to
have filled this great bottle since We
were here last.
Then. when the outlets chOked. it will
boil over or burst through into the fire
beneath-in which case there will be d
bad blow up somewhere. Well have TO
get move on, Jerry, if We don't want
to be Scaldedn'
(TO be continued tomorrow.)