Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-23

without waiting for the lamp, turned to
reinforce the five men who now held the
enemy at bay.
The girl with Berserk courage worthy
OF her ancestry. snatched up the lamp
and ran with it to the veranda Attached
to pillar at the head of the stairs was
a bracket, on which a light was placed
each night in the rainy season to attract
the insects that would otherwise invade
the house. She put the lamp there and
stole one awe-stricken glance at the fur-
GUS conflict raging on both sides of the
lower landing. A bullet. fired from a
muzzle-loader. sang past her face. She
almost wished that a truer aim had found
be spared the affrighting alternative sug-
gested by Warden. If she did not die by
her own hand. would the men of Oku kill
her? She feared they would not.
For an instant the rays of the lamp
ena bled the defense to beat back the first
and successful assault. A gigantic native
whom she did not know, but who was
swinging an adZe in fine style by War
denis side turned and gazed at her. 1t
was Benz Kali. Warden's negro COM
panion in the escape from Lektawa. and
seldom seen white woman. and never
one in any way resembling Evelyn. To
his untutored mind she was a spirit
Now. may Allah be praised.'' he cried
pagans back to their swamp. for mine
eyes have seen one of the lily maids who
tend the prophets flock in paradise
Warden. who thought his gigantic re-
tainer had gone fey. looked around and
found that Evelyn was Immediately be-
hind him. though Il slightly higher
level. She was standing in a most peril
Gus position There was a space of at
least three feet between the lower edge
of the main roof and the slight scantling
that protected the staircase from the ire
mendous transforms of the tropics and
any one standing little way back from
the house could not fail to see her. He
forgot the heart-broken advice he had
just given her. He realized only that the
woman he loved was in mortal peril
GO back he shouted. For Gods
sake go in and bolt the door. You will
be shot from the compound,'
A negro leaped round the corner of the
stairs and struck at him with matched.
Benz Kali was just in time to parry the
blow Then the adze whirled and buried
itself in the mans skull. Before it could
be withdrawn spear darted up viciously.
but Warden's broken rife diverted the
thrust and Hausa got his bayonet home.
Nevertheless. dozen more negroes were
forcing their way up on both sides. Fair
holme. valiant little aristocrat. was borne
down and fell. utterly exhausted, at Eve
lyn's feet. A Hausa was shot through
the head and dropped across Fairholme's
body. Three men. Warden. Benz Kali
and a Hausa. now alone held at bay the
human wolves, who saw victory WITHIN
their grasp
Evelyn refused to re-enter the house.
She meant to die there by her lovers side.
Why did not merciful death come quick
ly? 1t would be better if she passed be-
fore him. She breathed a prayer that
God would Vouchsafe this grace for her
woman's heart revolted from the thought
that She should see him killed. In a very
trance Of hope that hcr wish might be
granted, she looked into the moorlit COM
pound and stretched out her arms pitt
fully. for she we'll knew that while War
den lived no kindly spear or native sword