Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-18
CHAPTER XXXIV.
The Eire.

OncrOft at q HlOueIdle PaSe, "hSA NA~
first palpitating gleam of crimson shot
I'D to the night-sky, and expanded
there in a huge and ever-increasing
glow.
Fire! Fire!"
The far cry was followed by an out
break of tumultuous bells. Vivians
heart leaped to his throat. Instinctively
he urged his horse to gallop. Whence
came that whirling smoke, that soar
ing, crimson light? From the river
side! With terrible conviction the
truth burst upon him. The mills were
burning!
For a space the Blackbirds had been
quiet but not inactive. Now, in this
unguarded hour, when Heron was alb
sent, and the young preacher absorbed
In other affairs, Joe Bagley had found
the opportunity to accomplish certain
important work committed to his will
ing hands by Colonel Pitt Rivers. Yea,
the mills were burning, and high in the
loft Of the main building Jael was shut,
alone and helpless!
The beast that Vivian rode was
Ribbed like drum,
And limbed like a deer"
At breakneck speed he dashed along
the road-his hoofs pounded on the
bridge. Here the mills burst full on the
riders sight, swathed in smoke, spout
ing fiame-a terrible picture indeed to
the young preacher, who was thinking
only of the girl in her hiding place un-
der the rafter.
Over the bridge he flew, down the
road, past the Heroncroft gate. There,
from the shadow of the trees that lined
the driveway, another horse and rider
burst-tore after Vivian-joined him In
his headlong gallop. The Two men, rid
ing neck to neck, looked in each others
ices.
"Heron!" cried Graham Vivian. Il
have been trying all day to find you"
81 slept last night in Black River"
replied Heron, hoarsely; Il have not
been out of town. Some spell holds me
here-a woman's face. Like thief,
skulked back to my own house tonight,
to catch one last glimpse Of 1t. Great
Heaven! Is Jael still at the mills?"
"Yes; but with Gods help we will
save her!"
Not another word was spoken-it was
no time for words. The iron hoofs
struck sparks from the stones Of the
way; bordering walls, trees and thick
cts whirled madly by on either side.
The surrounding country had cast on
the darkness of night, and was pulsing
with weird, shifting lights.
Down the hill the two horsemen
thundered, drawing nearer-nearer to
the confiagration. Its roar grew loud
in their ears; they could see the billow-
ing flame spread and strengthen. The
river Redeemed in the steadily increas-
ing glow. For the second time the
doom Of fire had fallen on Heron's Mills
tonight the place would again be laid
in dull ashes.
Together Francis Heron and the
young preacher reached the gate
rushed into the mill-yard. From all d.
rections people were running to the
scene Of disaster, but the engines from
the town had not yet arrived. The
dead body Of the hound Cossack, killed
at his post by some ruffian hand, lay
straight across his masters path.
Francis Heron, closely followed by
Vivian, sprang over the dog, and into
the mill. Where were Bruce and his
assistants? The two flung back the
door Of the counting-r room, and there
discovered the men, gagged-bound
hand and foot, and scorching with the
flames that were already thrusting
long, yellow tongues in at the windows.
81 leave you to release them. Her
on" said Graham Vivian, and he made
a dash for the stair. A figure, descend
ing evidently from the floor above,
bounded by him in the smoke, stopped,
let fall an oath.
IF you go up there, parson," shouted
Joe Bagley, "by my soul, you'll never
come down alive!"
"As God willis" replied Vivian, and
the next instant he was off, with the
speed of the wind, up the flight, across
the landing, and on up the second stair
to the loft, and-Jael!
He tried the door-it was fast.
"Jael! Jael!" he shouted. "open!"
But there was no response. She was
overcome with the smoke -suffocating,
perhaps. The strength Of ten seemed
to enter Vivian. He set his shoulder
against the door; the hinges snapped;
he leaped into the loft.
Volumes Of smoke rolled through the
place. Overhead the flame was crawl
ing along the shingles-licking through
to the dry rafters. He CROPPED, and
found Jael, fallen face downward on
the floor. He snatched her up-a dead
weight, and. with difficulty. retraced his
way out of the loft.
BY the time he reached the first stair
the flames seemed bursting upon him
from all quarters-writhins, twisting,
overlapping, thrusting out menace OF
death at every step. He flung MS
handkerchief over Jaeps unconscious
face, and began to descend steadily
Could he gain the second flight, help
would surely be near. Somewhere at
hand he heard a ponderous crash OF
machinery, breaking through flame
eaten floors. The heat was terrible
All, his feet touched the landing: one
half the frightful descent was safely
made. A friendly puff of wind lifted
the surging smoke-blew it back for
a moment. Then Vivian, looking
straight before him down the last flight
saw midway upon it Joe Bagley, wait
ing-barring the path-his evil face
like the face Of demon, in one hand
a revolver. cooked and ready
Halt, parson!" cried the Blackbird
And drop that girl"
'In Gods name. stand aside!" said
Vivian, sternly.
The Blackbird laughed.
I'm sorry to disregard your orders,
You might as we'll have left the jade
to burn in the loft"
He took deliberate aim and fired.