Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-19

ueauly struggle was Ill progress on
 the fore deck. Tollemache, Frascuelo
 and three Chileans were engaged in a
 hand to hand fight with nearly score
 of savages. The doctor could distin-
 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 signifi-
 canoe of the yells and trampling on the
 deck until it occurred to him. with q
 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 hand on her shoulder.
 She turned and looked at him. There
 was gravity in his eyes which star
 tied her.
 Elsie" he said, you believe in the efficacy of prayer, don't you? We'll, then, pray now little. I shall be glad to think when this time of danger has passed that we owed something to your invocation" .
 It was in his mind that he must shoot her within few seconds, and the immeasurabe agony of the thought reflected itself in his face. He had no notion that she would give his words more direct significance than he in- tended them to bear But strange, hoarse yell of triumph, the war cry of an Alaculof leader who had hauled himself to the bridge and found it un- defended, warned her in the same mo- ment that all was not well with the defense.
 She sprang toward the salon stairs.
 Do you hear thatT she cried in a ringing voice. There are Indians on board. Come! We must not stay here when our friends are fighting for their lives"
 Christobal knew that this active girl would readily outstrip him in 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 suf- ferings would be inconceivable ere the end came.
 You are wrong," he shouted, with convincing vehemence, but if 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 moment or two." he breathed.
 "No, no! am going now. You shall not hold me back. You don't under stand. The man I love is up there. perhaps surrounded by savages. Let me go, tell you! If he is dying I 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 ToIlemache 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 con- panion.
 ITO the salon, Courtenayw roared Toilemache. clearing a path for him. self with an iron bar which he swung in both hands. Followed by Frascuelo. he jumped inside the salon gangway. Four sayages followed, two entering through the doorway behind him. One raised hatchet-like implement and would have brained the Englishman i 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 a strange light. She felt her arms jingle. A wonderful i power seemed to flow through her body. like 2 rush of strong wine. She was Il" lat she, unaided, could beat | the puny, despicable creature, . no barred the path to her over.
 She vaulted oyer the writhing form of the Alaculof and made to climb the ! stairs, but Christobal. admirably cool, fred again and brought another Indian .o his knees. The second Indians fall caused Frascuelo to trip, and the Chil- san, locked rib to rib with somewhat sturdy opponent, rolled into the salon. Elsie drew back just in time or the two men would have knocked her Town. Even as they were turning ,yer on the steep steps she saw Fras- ,uelo's knife flash. At the foot of the stairs the Indian lay still, and Fras- ruelo tried to rise. She helped him gladly. The awfulness of this killing 10 longer appalled, her. Each dead or disabled Indian was one less obstacle between her and Courtenay. X third ime the revolver parked. but Christo- pal missed. It did not matter greatly, IS Tollemache had shortened his bar, , lsing il twice as a miner delves at a 'ock. But the doctor did not forget hat he had only three cartridges left, wo of which were bespoken long be- ore the fight began.
 At last. then. the way was clear. FL lie would have mounted the stairs, but Tn appealing hand detained her.
 "I cannot walk, senorita. My leg has 'iven way. And we can do no good here. They are all down"
 A death chill gripped her heart at words.