The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-01-28

III coInmotiOn. Early risers and
u the guards were flying from
house to house, shouting the news.
Outside the harbor lay the low, saw
age looking ship. It's guns were point
ed directly at the helpless town. It's
decks were swarming with white
clothed men.
The plague was forgotten. The
strategy that had driven off the ships
of peace was lost in the face of this
ugly creature of war. Kasula's reign
of strategy was ended.
''They will not fire. They dare not
he was shrieking as he dashed back
and forth along the dock. ''It is chance.
They do not come for Chase. Believe
in me! The tug. The tug. They
must not land
The crash of the long unused six
FOUNDER at the chateau, followed al
most Immediately by great roar from
one of the cruisers guns, brought the
panic to crisis
The islanders scattered like chaff be-
fore the wind, looking wild eyed over
their shoulders in dread of the pursu-
ing cannon ball, lodging in and out
among the houses and off into the
foothills.
Rasula, undaunted, but craZed with
disappointment, stuck to his colors on
the deserted dock. He cursed and
raved and begged. In time two or
three Of the more canny, realizing that
safety lay in an early peace Offering,
ventured out beside him. Others fol-
lowed their~eXample, and still others
skunk trembling to the fore, their
voices ready to protest innocence and
friendship and loyalty.
They had heard Of the mercness
American gunner. and they knew in
their souls that he could shoot the is
land into atoms before nightfall.
The native lawyer harangued them
and cursed them and at last brought
them to understand in q feeble way
that no harm could come to them If
they faced the situation boldly. The
Americans would not land on British
soil; it would precipitate war with
England. They would not dare to at
tempt bombardment; Chase was a
liar. a mOuntebank, a dog! After shout
ing himself hOarSe in his frenzy of de
spair he finally succeeded in forcing
the men to get up steam in the COM
pany's tug.
- All this time the officers of the
American warship were dividing their
attention between land and sea An
other vessel was coming up out of the
misty horizon. The men on board
knew it to be a British man-of- war!
Suddenly party of white men ap-
preached the startled Rasula. A hun
dred eager hands were extended,
hundred voices cried out fer mercy.
hundred Mohammedans beat their
heads in abject submission.
Hollingsworth Chase. Lord Dep
bingham and n familiar figure in an i'll
fitting red jacket and forage cap strobe
firmly. defiantly between the rows of
humble Japatites Close behind them
came tall, resolute grenadier OF the
Rapp Thorberg army
Make way there, Make way,
Mr.. Bowles was crying. brandishing
the antique broadsword that had come
down to Wyckholme from the dark
ages Stand aside for the British
government. Make way for the Amer
lean
Rasula's jaw hung limp in the face
of this amazing exhibition of courage
on the part of the enemy. He was
glarng insanely at the calm, trium-
plant face of the man from Brodney's,
who was now advancing upon him
with the assurance of a conqueror.
You see. RaSula, | have called for
the cruiser. and it has come at my
bidding Turning To the crowd that
surged up from behind. cowed and
cringing Chase said 1t rests with
you. If give the word that ship will
blow you from the face of the earth. l
am your friend. people. would do You
no harm. but good. You have been mis-
led by Rasula. Rasula. You are not a
fool You can save yourself even now.
am here as the servant Of these peo-
Pile not as their master. | intend TO
remain here until | am called back by
the man who sent me to YOU. You
have
Rasula uttered Il shrek of rage He
had been crouching back among his
cohorts. painting with fury. Now he
spraug forward. murder in his eyes.
His arm was raised. and Il great pistol
was Ieyeled at the breast of the man
who faced him SO cootly. so confident
ly. Deppingham shouted and took a
step forward 10 divert the aim OF the
frenZied lawyer.
A revolver cracked behind the tall
American. and Ra<Ula stopped III his
tracks There was Il great hole in his
forehead His eyes were bursting. lie
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