Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-05-17

rata naran and row ont to the steamer,
which by that time would be lying on
the harbor out OF range OF the troops
who would surely be summoned from
the distant fort.
In the highest spirits the little band
set out resolutely for the curral. Here
they encountered no difficulty what
ever. Perhaps the prevalent excite
ment had drawn Its custodians to the
town. since they found no one In
charge save a couple of barking dogs.
while II there were people In the cattle
keepers huts they gave no sign OF
their presence A few stakes were
pulled up. They even came upon
couple of axes and heavy hammer.
Equipped with these weapons. eked
out by three revolvers owned by the
Brazilians and the dapper captains
sword. they hurried on. quitting the
road instantly and following q COW
path that wound about the base of q
steep hill.
They met their first surprise when
they tried to cross the road to the fort
Quite unexpectedly they blundered into
q small picket stationed there. and the
first intimation OF danger was given
by the startling challenge:
"Who goes tbere%
Il was familiar enough to island
ears. and the convict answered readily:
"a friendr'
Several friends. II would SEEM"
laughed q voice. Let US see who
those friends are"
"Now" shouted De Sylvia. leaping
forward.
There was a wild scurry. two or
three shots were hred. and HOzier
found himself on the ground gripping
the throat of bronzed man whom be
had showed backward with thrust,
for he had no time to swing his stake
for a blow. He was aware Of a pair
Of black eyes that glared up at him
horribly in the moonlight. Of white
teeth that shone under long mus.
tachios of peculiarly warlike aspect
but he felt the man was as putty In
his hands. and his fingers relaxed
their pressure.
he looked around. The fight was
ended almost as soon as 1t began. The
soldiers. six in all. were on their backs
in the roadway. Two Of them were
dead. The Italian sailor had been shot
through the body and was twisting In
his hast agony.
The blOOdshed was bad enough. but
those shots were worse They would
set the island in an uproar. The re
ports would be heard In town. citadel
and fort. and the troops would now be
on the qui vive. But De Sylvia was
man Of resource.
strip the prisoners" he cried
Take their arms and ammunition
but bind them back to back with thei'
belts"
Butt In there. me lads" vociferatet
Coke. who had accounted for one ol
the BraziIians with an AK. Step live
ly. Now we've got some uniforms an
guns We Gun rush that cittydei easy.
Hozier was busy relieving his maj
Of his coat. When the prone warrior
realized that he was not to be killed
he helped the operation. but PhiliE
was thinking more OF Iris than o
deeds Of dprring-do.
why attempt to capture the citade
at all?" he asked. Now that we cal
make sufficient display. is there an!
reason that we should not 90 straigh
for the launch?
IL think 1t Is good suggestion.
came the calm answer. provided. tina
Is, the launch is in the harbor."
A bell began to toll In the convic
settlement. Lights appeared iu many
houses scattered over the seawart
slope. Hozier. never for an instan
forgetting Iris. saw that Marcel still
remained with his leader. Under these
new circumstances ii certainly woult
be q piece OF folly to send back unit
| they were sure OF the launch.
Happily the launch was there. moor
| ed alongside small quay. From TIT
nearest building II was necessary Il
cross q low wharf some fifty yards II