The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-02-04

Copyright, 1909, by Doud,
Mead & Company. Published
Sept, 10O9.)
The relief that swept into the
souls of the newly arrived COM
pany was short-lived. They had
gone into camp, tired, sore and
hungry, and were preparing to
take a long needed rest before TAX
ing up the last stage of their
march toward the city. John
Tullis was now in feverish haste
to reach the city, where at least
he might find communication
from the miscreants, demanding
ransom. He had made up his
mind to pay whatever they asked.
Down in his heart, however,
there was a restless fear that she
had not fallen into the hands of
|ordinary bandits. He could not
Danish the siskening dread that
she was in the power of Marlanx,
to whom she alone could pay the
ransom exacted.
Hardly had the men thrown
themselves from their horses
when the sound of shooting in the
distance struck their ears. In
stantiy the entire force was alert.
A dozen shots were fired in
rapid succession; then single re-
ports far apart. The steady beat
of horses feet was now plain to
the attentive company. There
was a quick, incisive call to arms;
a squad stood ready for action.
The clatter of hoofs drew near
err; small group of horsemen
came laundering down the defile.
Three minutes after the firing
was first heard, sentries threw
their rifles to their shoulders and
blocked the approach of the riders.
A wild, glad shout went up
from the foremost horseman. He
had pulled his beast to it's haunch-
es almost at the muzzles of the
guns.
"Tullis!" he shouted, waving
his hat.
John Tullis ran toward the ex-
cited group in the road. He saw
three men, one of whom was
shouting his name with all the
power in his lungs.
THANK God, we've found you!"
cried the horseman, swinging to
the ground despite the proximity
of strange rifles. Put up your
guns! We're friends!"
"King!" exclaimed Tullis, sud-
denly recognizing him. A mo-
ment later they were clasping
hands.
This is luck! We find Won
almost as soon as we set out to
do so. Glory be! You've got a
fair-sized army, too. Well need
'em-and more"
What has happened, King?"
Where have you been? We look
ed for you after your disap-"
That's ancient history" inter-
rupted the other. "How soon can
you get these troops on the
march? There's not a moment to
be lost"
Good God. man, tell me what it
is-what has happened? The
prince? What of him?" cried Tul-
lis, grasping Kings arm in the
lclutch of a wise.
"He sends his love and rescinds
the order of exile" said King,
smiling. Then seriously: MAR
lanx has taken the city. 1t was
all a game, this getting rid of you.
He's superstitious about Ameri-
cans. There was mountaineering
in the square and a massacre aft
erward. The prince and all the
Others are besieged in the castle.
I'll tell you all about 1t. Hobbs
and l are the only men who have
got away from the castle alive.
We left last night. Our object
was to warn you in time to pre-
vent an ambush. You've got. to
save the throne for Prince Robin.
III explain as we go along. l may
as we'll inform you right now that
there's a big force of men waiting
for you in the ravine this side OF
the monastery. We saw them.
Thank God, we got to you in time
You can now take 'em by surprise
and-whiff! They'll run like
dogs. Back here a couple of miles
we came upon a small gang OF
real robbers. We had a bit OF
shooting and regret to say
no one was bagged. I'd advise you
to have this force pushed along as
rapidly as possible. have a mes.
sage from your sister, SIR"
Lorraine? Where is she
King?"
Don't tremble like that, old
man. She's safe enough-in the
castle. oh. il was a fine game
Marlanx had in his mind"
While the troopers were making
ready for the march, Truxton
King and Hobbs related their
story to eager, Mortified groups
of officers. 1t may be we'll to say
that neither said more of his own
exploits than was absolutely me-
cessary to connect the series of
incidents. Prince Dantan mar
lveled anew at this fresh demon
lstration of Yankee courage and in
lgenuity. King graphically mar
rated the tale from beginning to
end. The full force of the amaz-
ling tragedy was brought home to
the pale, half-dazed listeners.
There were groans and curses and
bitter cries of vengeance. John
Tullis was crushed; despair was
written in his face, anguish in his
eyes.
What was to become of the
lprince?
First of all, Tullis, we must
destroy these scoundrels who are
lying in wait for you in the ra-
wine" said Prince Dantan. "Aft-
ter that you can be in a position
to breathe easily while collecting
the army of fighters that Mr.. King
ISugReStS. Surely. Won will be able