The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-11-30
CHAPTER XXI.
THE LAST STAND


~ OON after O'Clock man I'm the
topmost window of the tower
called down that the forces in the
hills were moving in compact
BODY toward the ridges below the south
Give them naIf an hour 10 locate
themselves" advised TTuXtOn king
They viii move rapidly and strike as
soon az the shells have leveled the
gates. The prorcr time for your sortie
colonel. would be some time IN advance
of their final movement You VIII H.
that WAY draw at. least portion OF
MarlanN'S men away from the fearl OF
the city. They VIII come TO the assist
ance Of the gang biyouacked beyond the
Duke OF Persc's palace"
One hundred picked men were 90 be
left inside tho castle gates with NOs
Engo, prepared 10 meet any flank
movement that might be attempted
Three hundred mounted men were Sc
lected 20 make the dash down Castle
avenue, straight into the camp Of the
Sharpshootsrs- II was the purpose OF
the house guard to wage a fierce and
noisy conflict Off the avenue ana then
retire 70 the castle ~ abruptly as they
left &. 20 be- ready for MarlauX. should
he decide to make a final desperate ef-
fort 20 seize their stronghold
King fired by a rebelliOus zeal. elected
10 ride with the attacking party. His
heart was cold with the fear that ne
was TO lose Lorraine after all The fairy
princess OF his dreams seemed farther
away from him than ever. III DO what
I can for the prince he said 10 him
fslf. Hes a perfect little brick Damn
Vos EnRO, III make hiIl repent that
insult. Every one noticed g.. too. She
tried 10 smooth II over, butch. we'll
what's the use2''
The dash Of the three hundred through
the gates and down the avenue was the
most spectacular experience In TrUNtOu' s
life. He was up with QuinnOX and Cen
eral BraZe, galoping well in front OF
the Yelling troop. These mounted carbi-
neers, riding as Bedouius, swept like
thunder down the street, wnirled into
the broad, open arena beyond the duke s.
palace, and we're upon the surprised ruff
hans before they were fully awake 10
the situation.
They came tumbling out OF barns and
sheds. clutching their rifles in nerveless
hands. aEhast In the face OF absolute
destruction. II was all over with the
first dash Of the dragons. The enemy.
craven al the outset. threw down their
guns and tried 20 escape through the
alleys and side streets at the end OF
the common. Firing all the time. the
attacking force rode them down as %
they were 90 many dogs The few who
stood their ground and fought yaliantly
were ovcrpOWercc and made captive boy
Ouiunox Less than hundred men
were found I'm the camp Instead OF re
treating Immediately 20 the castle. Quiu-
nox. acting on the suggestion OF the exc
hHarated King, kept up a fierce. deccp-
tive FIRE for the benefit Of the distant
MaTlanX.
After ten or Gfteeu minutes OF this
degultoTy carnage. DO was reported that
a large force Of men were entering DO,
avenue from Rcgengetz Circus. Quiu
nox sent his charges toward this great
horde Of foot soldiers. but they did moi
falter as he had expected. ON thag
swept. two OF three thousand of them
At their head rode FIVE or six officers
he foremost was Count MarlanN.
The cannons were booming now ln thi
foothills Marlanx. 81 ne heard thcu
and realized what the bOmbardWcuI
meant. did not sWerve from the purpos,
at present IN his mind.
ouinuox saw now that the iron Couu
WAS determined 90 storm the gates
and gave the command 10 retreat Wav
ing their rifles and shouting defiance
over their shoulders. the dragons drew
I'D. wheeled and gallOped toward th'
gates.
Truxton King afterward recalled d
mind certain huge piles of fresh cartI
IN q corner OF the common. He did mo-
know what they meant at the time 81
observation but he was wiser inside
81 three minutes after the Whihlwin,
brigade dashed through the gates
Scarcely were the massive portals
Closed. and the great steel bars dTOppe,
into place by the men who attonde,
the earth as n hv volcanic force Thci
came the crashing Of timbers, the
cracking OF masonry. the whirriug o.
a thousand missiles through the air
Before the very eyes Of the stunned. be