The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-01-26

the hand of Mr.. Hobbs on seeing
help for King and was pulling him
up before him. There was moth
ing for Truxton to do but to &C
lcept the timely help of his rival
An instant later he was up be-
hind him and they were off after
the last of the Dragons.
'If you don't mind, count, I'll
try my luck" grated the Ameri-
can. Hold on with one arm, he
turned and fired repeatedly in
the direction of the bowling
crowd of rascals.
ride to the barrack gates, Vos
Engo!" commanded Colonel Quin-
nox. BE prepared to admit
none but the Royal Reserves,
who are under standing orders to
report there in time of need"
God grant that they may be
| able to come" responded the
count. Over his shoulder he
Kissed to his companion. 1T was
not idle heroics, my friend, nor
philanthropy on my part. / was
commanded to come and fetch
you. She would never have spo-
ken to me again if l had refused"
"She? All, yes; l see. Good!
She did not forget me-" cried
Truxton, his heart bounding.
"My own happiness depends
on my luck in getting you to
safety" rasped the count. my
life's happines. Understand, damn
you, it is not for you that l risk
my life"
y understand" murmured
Truxton, a wry smile on his pale
lips. You mean, she is going
to pay you in some way for pick
ing me up, Ell? Well, I'll put an
end to that. Ill drop off again.
Then you can ride on and tell
her--I wouldn't be a party to the
game. Do you catch my mean
ing?"
You would, eh?" said the
count angrily. I'D like to see you
drop off while we're going at
this
1--WE got my pistol in the mid
die of your back" grated Trux-
ton. 'Slow up a bit or I'll scat
tier your vertebrae all over your
system. Pull up"
GAS you like" cried vos En-
go. I've done my part. Colonel
Quinnox will bear witness" He
began pulling his horse down.
Nov, you are quite free to drop
Off"
Without a word the American
swung his leg over and slid to
the ground. Thanks for the lift
you've given me-" he called up
to the astonished officer.
Don't thank me-" sang out his
would-be savior as he put spur
to his horse.
1t is lamentable thing to say,
but Truxton Kings extraordinary
sacrifice was not altogether the
loutgrowth of heroism. We have
not been called upon at any time
to question his courage; we have.
on the other hand, seen times
when he displayed the most ar
rant foolhardiness. l defy any,
one to prove, however, that he
ever neglected an opportunity to
better himself by strategy at the
expense of fortitude. Therefore,
it is not surprising that even al
such a time as this we may be
called upon to record an example
of his spectacular cunning.
Be sure of 1t, he did not decide
! to slide from Vos Engo's horse
until he saw a way clear to better
his position. and at the same time
to lessen the glory of his unpleas-
ant rescuer.
Less than hundred yards be-
hind Hoped a riderless horse; the
dragon who had sat the saddle
was lying far back in the avenue,
a bullet in his head. Hobbling to
the middle of the road, the Amer
lean threw up his hands and
shouted briskly to the bewilder-
ed animal. Throwing his ears
forward in considerable doubt,
the horse came to a standstill
CLOSE at hand. Five seconds later
king was in the saddle and tear
ling along in the wake of the re-
Treating guard, his hair blowing
from his forehead, his blood lea D.
ling with the joy of achievement.
Mr.. Hobbs afterward informed
that Count vos Engo's oaths were
worth going miles to avoid.
"We need such men as King
cried Colonel Quinnox as he wait
ed inside the gates for the wild
rider. A moment later King
dashed through and the massivs
bolts were shot.
AS he pulled up in front Of the
stewards lodge to await the or
ders of the colonel, the exultant
American completed the soliloquy
that began with the mad impulse
to ride into port under his own
sails.
| "Pll have to tell her that he
did a fine thing in coming back
for me. much as he hated to do
1t. What's more. l shan't say a
word about his beastly temper.
Wen let 1t pass. He deserves o
whole lot for the part he played.
I'll not forget 1t. Too bad he had
to spoil 1T all by talking as he
laid. But, hang me, If he shall
exact anything from her because