The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1910-04-08


He decided to return to the
hut. His friend might be in
desperate need of aid.
Then. with his heart in his mouth, he
slowly began to retrace his steps, walk
Ing where he had galloped a moment
before. A turn in the road caused him
to draw rein sharply. 4 hundred yards
ahead five or six men were struggling
with a riderless bay horse.
by JOve" calculated Hobbs Its
his horse!
As he drew nearer it struck him
forcibly that the men were not what
be had thought them to be. They were
an evil looking lot. more like the strik-
erS he had seen in the town earlier in
the day. Even as he was turning the
new thought over in his mind one of
them stepped out Of the little knot
and, without a word Of warning, lifted
his arm and fired point blank at the
little Englishman. A pistol ball whizzed
close by his head. His horse leaped
to the side of the road in terror, al
most unseating him.
But Hobbs had fighting blood in his
veins. What is more to the point, he
had q Mauser revolver i'm his pocket
He jerked it out and, despite second
shot from the picket. prepared to ride
down upon the party. An instant later
half dozen revolvers were blazing
away at him. Hobbs turned at once
and rode in the opposite direction,
EhiFltng to fire twice at the unfriendly
group. Soon he was out Of range.
The only thing left for him to do was
to ride at once to the city and give
the alarm.
Suddenly his horse swerved and
lea3ed furiously out Of stride. STUN
bling. but recovering himself almost in
SPONTANEOUSLY In the same second he
heard the sharp crack of Il firearm far
down the unbroken ravine to his left.
a second shot came. this time from the
right and close at hand. His horse was
staggering, swaying: then down he
crashed. Hobbs swinging clear barely
In time to escape being pinioned to the
ground. A stream of blood was pour
Ing from the side Of the poor beast.
Aghast at this unheard of WantOnneSS.
the little interpreter knew not which
way to turn. but stood there dazed I'M
til a third shot brought him to his
senses. The bullet kicked up the dust
near his feet. He scrambled for the
heavy underbrush at the roadside and
darted off into the roadside, his revolt
er in his hand. his heart palpitating
Ike mad. Time and again as he fed
through the dark thickets he heard the
hoarse shouts of men in the distance.
At 10 o'clock the next morning Colo
mel Quinnox and company Of soldiers.
riding up from the city gates toward
The north in response to call for
help from honest herders who reported
attacks and robberies Of an alarming
nature. came upon the stiff. footsOre.
thorn scratched Mr.. Hobbs not far
from the walls of the town. The colo
hei was not long in grasping the sub
stance Of Hobbs revelations. He rode
OH at once for thp witch's hovel. send
Ing Hobbs with small. instructed es-
cort 10 the castle. where Baron Dan
gloss was in consultation with Mr.. TuI-
lis and certain ministers.
The city was peaceful enough. much
10 the surprise Of Hobbs. No disturb
ance had been reported, said the
guardsmen who rode beside him. U1
In the hills there had been some depre-
cations but that was all.
"Al?" groaned Mr.. Hobbs. "All:
bang it all. man. wot do you call ali?
You haven't heard 'alf Of it yet. tell
you, there's been the devil to pay.
wait till the colonel comes back from
Ganlook gap. He'll have, news for
you; take 1t from me, he will. That
Poor chap as gone up in smoke as
sure aS my name y Hobbs"
They met Baron Dangloss near the
barracks, across the park from the
castle. lie was in close, earnest con-
versation with John Tullis and Count
aafont, both OF whom seemed labor
NJ under intense excitement.
Inc arrival or Hobbs, q pitiful but
heroic object, at once arrested the at
tention Of every one. His story was
neard by most distinguished audi
ence.
There Is nothing supernatural about
Aing's disappearance" said Tullis
sharply. That's all nonsense. He had
money about him, and IL perhaps turns
Our that there really was man at
tne crack In the door, clever br1gand
Mno today has GOT the better Co. our
ralnglorious friend. The shooting in
~ hills 4 more disturbing than this,
70 my mind"