The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1910-02-03

!. That night recruits from the farms
and villages began to struggle into the
camp. They were armed with rifles,
ordinary shotguns and unique blum
derbusses. swords, slaves and aged
lances All were willing to die in the
service of the little prince. By the
close of the second day nearly 5000
men were encamped above the city.
Late that night John Tullis rode into
camp at the head Of great company
from the Ganlook province. He had
retaken the town of Ganlook, seized
the fortress and recruited the entire
fighting strength of the neighborhood.
More than that, he had unlimbered
and conveyed to the provisional camp
two Of the big guns that stood above
the gates at the fortress.
Marlanx trained two of his big guns
on the camp in the hills. From the
fortress he threw many futile shells
toward their place of shelter. They
did no damage; instead of death. they
brought only laughter to the scornful
camp. Under cover Of night the two
-Ganlook cannons were planted in Il po-
sition commanding the southeastern
city gate. 1t was the plan Of the new
besiegers to lombard this gate. tear
ing it to pieces with shot.
The knowledge that Marlanx had no
big guns except those stationed in the
fortress was most consoling to Tullis
and his friends. He could not destroy
the castle gates with shells. except by
purest chance. He could drop shells
into the castle. but to hit gate twenty
feet wide? Never.
TruXton King was growing haggard
from worry and loss of sleep. He
could not understand the abominable.
criminal procrastination. He was OF
race that did things with a dash and
on the spur of the moment. His soul
sickened day by day. John Tullis.
equally unhappy, but more philosoph-
ical, often found him seated upon a
rock at the top of the ravine, an I'M
lighted pipe in his fingers. his eyes in
tent upon the hazy castle.
"Cheer up. King. Our time vii
come" he was wont to say.
Then came the night before the pro
posed assault Gu the gates. The guns
were in position. and the cannonadins
was to begin at daybreak. TruxtoI
was full of the bitterness of doubt
and misgiving. Was she in love
with Vos Engo? Was the counts sui
progressing favorably under the fire
of the enemy? Was his undoubtet
bravery having it's effect upon thu
wavering susceptibilities of the dis
tressed Lorraine?
The sound of voice in sharp com
mand attracted his attention. Their
was bright moon, and TruxtoI
could see other pickets hurrying t.
join the first. \ few moments late
several trespassers We're escorted
through the lines and taken direct.
to headquarters-a man and two wo
men. King observed.
John Tullis was staring hard ut tn
group approaching from the roadway
One woman walked ahead of her com
panions. Suddenly he sprang FORWARD
with cry of amazement.
1t was the Countess Ingomede.
Her arrival created a sensation. II
a moment she was in the center OF al
amazed circle of men. Tullis, afte
his first low, eager greeting at tn
edge of the fire circle, drew her nea
to the warmth giving flames Prime
Dantan and Captain Haas threw rug
and blankets in great heap for he
TO sit upon. Every one was talkin
at once. The countess was smilin
through her tears. Make room 70
nv maid and her father. They ar
colder and more fatigued than H. SD
said. lifting her tired, glorious eyes
John Tullis. who stood beside he
1--WE have come from Balak. The
suffered much that l might enjoy tn
slender comforts | was so ready
share with them"
THANK God, you are here" he sal
in low, intense tones. She could NJ
mistake the fervor in his voice nc
the glow in his eyes.
II knew you were here, John. al
not going back to Count Marlanx.
is ended
81 knew it would come, lngomed
You will let me tell you how glad
am some day"
"Some day. when am truly, who'll
free from him. John. know wifi
YOU will say. and I think you kno
what I shall say in reply" Both Vi
,...>sss.. a'-s'.. --.---as Boz