Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-06

should dispose of would be one less to
withstand the stormers there.
A ceaseless shower from Schweitzers
battery on the ridge was falling on the
fat tableland above. and segregating the
two parties into which the defense had
perforce fallen. One of which held the
stairway while the other was confined
to the chapel passage, whereby the tun-
mel entrance might be reached. Between
them there was no communication pos
sible while the cruel shrapnel swept the
intervening space.
Ybarra left his own gun squads hard
at work. and cantered round to where
his second column was directing its fire
at the cliff-edge above the stables. 1t
angered him sOrely that he should have
to disclose his cherished secret. but, since
| that must be. he would be prompt about
it.
Lay two guns on the center Of that
iyy patch beyond the middle roof" he
ordered There lies the passage by
which we must gain footing on the plat
eau"
Two or three bursting shells tore the
green screen apart. and then they sent in
solid shot until upon the bare rock face
there showed a black spot, which was the
tunnel entrance.
ring to begin the assault on the stairway
while he slipped from his saddle and went
forward afoot with the infantry who were
to enter by his private access. From the
third column. idle at the rear. either of
those actively engaged could obtain REIN
forcement at short notice. The field guns
had ceased fire. but those on the ridge
maintained their raking and continuous
discharge.
The little. wiry linesmen raced each
other to the stairfOot. and went swarm
ing up, regardless Of the certain death
which waited those who led as soon as
they should turn the corner which con-
cealed the strangely silent enemy. Their
R@lr~ f>11~ ,ux1 $ruvr
A seething wave went swirling upward
until its crest came into contact with
sheet of flame. and broke, and toppled
over and fell back. blood red.
Allardyce and his men had held their
hands until times clock licked out the
crucial moment
And then began a battle such as no
man would take part I'm twice OF his own
choice. A battle as between wild beasts
penned into a close cage, while the dead
weight of multitudes of others pressed
them to such close contact that it was
barely possible to move. For those above
had built battlement of bOulders which
completely blocked the narrow way. and
four of them were fighting on the out
side. while from within and overhead
there spat the vicious sparks before which
men with glazing eyeballs bowed bltndly
down and were trampled underfoot ere
they could rise again.
Herewith an outcry as of HI itself let
loose. shrill. insistent. wailing discord,
keyed to the uttermost of agony.
The four in front were working with
clubbed carbines. and for time they
managed to keep footho1d clear. but. from
behind the writhing heap about their feet
one of the storming party managed to pull
trigger and one Of Allardyce's men fell
Imply forward.
"Climb back! he shouted to the other
two. and they obeyed while he beat OF
the hands that would have held them by
the heel. The muzzles at his shoulders
belched. and. while the gap their bullets
made about him still endured. he In turn,
was pulled upward into temporary safety.
Immediately the wave crest surged
against the barricade. rose and curled
foaming down the slope. came on again
with the same sullen fury. But 1t had
plucked another of the defenders from on
their slippery breakwater: He dived.
undertow. a shapeless pulp. Until. at
length. the tides resistless strength over
topped every obstacle. Tapped to the bar
rier lip. splashed down within.
Ybarra's men had met with no resist
ance at the tunnel mouth. but found the
inner door securely closed against them.
Sappers were ordered forward, and these
soon had that demolished. Beyond it all
was dark. They did not dare to show a
light lest 1t should bring down on them
so much the earlier the inevitable tenn
pest. Shoulder to shoulder they crept
upward, carrying ladders with them to
bridge the gulf ahead. Once started there
was no stop possible. The solid phalanx
was kept moving by the relentless pres
sure at its base. 1t almost seemed as
though they might pass unmolested when.
without warning. death came whistling
down the tunnel.
The echo Of the carbines up above, in
tensified in that zimmerman burrow. was
like the crack Of doom. A groan of hor-
ror mingled with 1t. But for those who
must face them there was no release. and
foot by foot they were pushed forward.
(TO be continued tOmorrow.)