The Ocala evening star., 1910-03-17

Of the stubborn, we'll guarded gates |
was at once recognized. A fC-ce OF !
TOO men, no matter how we'll trained |
or how determined, could net De ex- !
pected to surmount walls that had |
often withstood the attack OF as many |
thousands. The wisdomtef dr!aying |
until few thousand loyal 'hough |
poorly armed countrymen COZ ID be !
brought into play against the C ty ap-
pealed at once to Prince Dant; and
John Tulis.
Squads Of men were sent with ut de-
lay into the hills and valleys 10 call
the panic stricken. wavering f,.rmers
into the fold. John Tullis heat ID the
company that struck off into the well
populated Ganlook district
Marlanx, as il realizing the nature
Of the movement in the hills. began
q furious assault on the gates leading
to the castle. The watchers in tie hills
could see as we'll as hear the conflict
that ragged almost at their feet. so to
speak.
The next morning Captain Haas an
nounced to his followers that Aarlanx
had begun to she'll the castle Big
guns in the fortress were hurlin great
shells over the city, dropping tlem In
the park. On the other hand, Colonel
Quinnox during the night had swung
three Gatling guns to the top OF the
wall; they were stationed at intervals
along the wall, commanding every
point from which an assault night be
expected.
That night recruits from the farms
| and villages began to straggle lGto the
camp. They were armed with rifles,
| ordinary shOtguns and unique blum
| derbuSses. swords. slaves and aged
| lances. All were willing to die in tle
| service Of the little prince. BY the
close Of the second day neariy 5000
men were encamped above the city.
Late that night John Tullis rode Into
| camp at the head Of great company
| from the Ganlook province. He tad
| retaken the town Of Ganlook. seized
! the fortress and recruited the entire
fighting strength Of the neighborhood.
| More than that. he had unlilnbered
and conveyed to the provisional ca mp
| two Of the big guns that stood above
the gates at the fortress.
Marlanx trained two Of his big guns
on the camp In the hills. From the
| fortress he threw many futile shells
toward their place Of shelter. Tley
did no damage; instead Of death. they
| brought only laughter to the StOrnful
camp. Under cover Of night the two
Ganlook cannons were planted in pO-
| sition commanding the southeastern
city gate. 1t was the plan OF the new
| ri fc1
ing it to pieces with shot.
The knowledge that Marlanx had no
big guns except those stationed i'll the
fortress was most consoling TO Tulis
and his friends. He could not destroy
the castle gates with shells. except by
purest chance. He could drop shells
into the castle, but to hit a gate twenty
feet wide? Never.
Truxton King was growing haggard
from worry and loss Of sleep. He
could not understand the abominab!e.
criminal procrastination. He was Of
q race that did things with dash and
ON the spur Of the moment. HIS soul
| sickened day by day. John Tullis.
equally unhappy, but more ph:losoph-
ical. often found him seated lpon q
rock at the top Of the ravine, an un-
lighted pipe in his fingers, his eyes in
tent upon the hazy castle.
Cheer up. King. Our tie Will
come," be was wont to say.
Then came the night before the pro-
posed assault on the gates. TIE guns
were in position. and the cannC nading
was to begin at dayhreak. ruSton
was full Of the bitterness OF doubt
and misgiving. Was she i. love
with vos Engo? Was the cour 8 suit
progressing favorably under tle fire
Of the enemy? Was his unC oubted
bravery having its effect u n the
wavering susceptibilities Of tie dis
tressed Lorraine?
The sound of q voice In shai . com
mand attracted his attention. There
was a bright moon. and -ruIton
could see other pickets hurr, ing tc
join the first. A few momen.s ) later
several trespassers were escorted
through the lines and taken directly
to headquarters-a man and two wo-
men. King observed.
John Tullis was staring hard at the
group approaching from the Roadway
One woman walked ahead of her com
panions. Suddenly he sprang forward
with a cry Of amazement.
1t was the Countess IngomeCe.
|. Her arrival created a sensation. lr
q moment she was in the center O. al
amazed circle Of neu. Tulli' a-tel
his first low. eager greeting at the
edge Of the fire circle. drew Ler ! eaI
: to the warmth giving flames. Prince
Dantan and Captain Haas threw rlgs
and blankets i'll a great heap tor 1e'
TO sit upon. Every one was tails ius
at once. The countess was Sun uc
through her tears. Make rom tol
my maid and her father. They 9rs
colder and more fat.gued thai. l." she
said. lifting her tired. glorious eyes L
. John Tullis. who stood besIae Ter
1--WE have come from Balak. TAey
. suffeie led much that might e-joy III,
slender comforts was SO ready K
share with them"
Thank God. yen are here be SAID