The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-07-31

defended. warned her In the same mo-
mont that all was not well with the
defense.
She sprang toward the salon stairs.
$40 YOU hear that?" she cried in
ringing voice. There are Indians on
board. Come! We must not stay here
when our friends are lighting for their
lives"
Christobal knew that this active girl
would readily outstrip him in a race to
the deck. She was already several feet
distant. but he must detain her, no
matter what the cost. If she fell into
the clutches of the ghouls then over
running the Kansas she might not be
killed, but only wounded. and her sur
ferings would be inconceivable ere the
end came.
.:You are wrong" he shouted, with
convincing vehemence, but II you
wish to see for yourself at least allow
me to go first"
While he was speaking he ran for
ward. She thought he meant what he
said and waited for him. Then he
caught her right arm firmly in his left
hand.
"Let us wait here a moment or two"
he breathed.
mo, no! l am going now. You shall
not hold me back. You don't under
stand. The man / love is up there.
perhaps surrounded by savages. Let
me 60 tell you! If he is dying l shall
die by his side! Let me go! Would
you have me strike you" She turn
ed on him like an angry goddess and
strove to wrest herself from his grip.
At that instant Tollemache and Fras-
cuelo, the only survivors of the deadly
struggle forward, were driven back by
a rush of Indians. They caught sight
Of others leaping down the bridge COM
panion.
"To the salon, Courtenay" roared
Tollemachc, clearing path for HIM
self with an iron bar which he swung
in both hands. Followed by Frascuelo,
he jumped inside the salon gangway.
Four savages followed, two entering
through the doorway behind him. One
raised a hatchet-like implement and
would have Drained the Englishman
had not Christobal whipped out his re-
volver and shot him through the body,
releasing the girls wrist in his furry.
The Indian pitched headlong down the
stairs, falling Imply at Elsie's feet.
She stopped over the terrifying figure
and seized the mans weapon. Her
eyes shone with q strange light. She
felt her arms Jingle. A wonderful
power seemed to flow through her
body, like gush OF strong wine. She
was assured that she, unaided, could
beat down all the puny, despicable
creatures who barred the path to her
lover.
She vaulted over the writhing form
Of the Alaculof and made to climb the.
stairs, but Christobal. admirably cool,
fired again and brought another Indian
to his knees. The second Indians fall
caused Frascuelo to trip, and the Chill
can, locked rib to rib with q somewhat
sturdy opponent, rolled into the salon.
Elsie drew back just in time or the
two men would have knocked her
down. Even as they were turning
over on the steep steps she saw Fras.
cuelo's knife flash. At the foot of the
stairs the Indian lay still, and Fras.
cuelo tried to rise. She helped him
gladly. The awfulness of this killing
no longer appalled, her. Each dead OF
disabled Indian was one less obstacle
between her and Courtenay. A third
time the revolver barked, but Christie
bal missed. It did not matter greatly,
as Tollemache had shortened his bar
using it twice as miner delves at
rock. But the doctor did not forge$
that he had only three cartridges left
two of which were bespoken long be.
fore the fight began.
At last, then, the way was clear Ell.
sic would have mounted the stairs, but
an appealing hand detained her.
81 cannot walk, senorita. My leg has
given way. And we can do no good
there. They are all down."
A death chill gripped her heart at
Frascuelo's words.
"All down" she repeated, white lip
ped.
81 think So" said he blankly. The
man was dazed by the ordeal through
which he had passed.
AS If to answer and refute him,
Joey's hystericaleyelp sounded from a
point close at hand, and they distinctly
heard Courtenay's loud commands:
"This way, Boyle! Rally to the
bridget
"You are Mistaken shrieked Elsie,
wrenching herself free from the Chill