El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-08-05
The
SKY PIRATE
By G Jarrett P. Serviss
Continued From Yesterday)
Illustrated by Parker.

, the northern side. instructing her to
peep through the interstices in the
broken rocks. but not to show even her
head.
Presently a shot came from the
northeast side and spattered on the
rock close by her head. She screamed
and dropped through fright, and l
sprang to her side, with terrible fear
that she had been hit She was all
right, however. and pulled her to the
center Of the Enclosure and sprang
back to my watch.
After awhile the Chameleon came
down in the brush close to the point
where our parachute lay. Payton dis
appeared, and another man took bis
place. The way In which they expos
ed themselves In surrounding the rocks
convinced me that Payton knew very
well that had no other weapon than
pistol.
now told Miss Grayman to renew
her watch. being extremely careful not
to expose the least part Of her person
and to give me warning II any one
tried to approach the rocks from her
side. l did not know at what moment
the rush might come.
There were yet several hours Of day
light, and If 1 could stand Payton of
long enough l felt confident that our
friends on the Osprey would manage
to ground her II they could not re-
our rescue. | counted great deal on
the sagacity Of Mr.. Grantham and the
experience and devotion of Ethan
Haight.
On the other hand, we were without
provisions and water. l felt the more
sure that Payton would make a rush
because he must understand that aid
would reach us before long. and was
puzzled at his delay after the arrival
Of his two men from the Chameleon.
But presently | discovered the rea-
son and felt my face turn pale.
Out OF the brush where the Chame-
leon lay kite began to rise.
The wind was in such direction as
to carry it directly over US. knew
instantly what it meant, and 1t made
my heart sink. Without explaining
my motives. for they had not seen the
kite. | Immediately led the two girls
into a corner OF the rocks, where q
ledge projected so as to make a kind
of roof. while in front Of the bears
den thus formed another ledge rose.
lon ,lr-o ;vv.a
ing. hurried them in here. saying:
Il think they are going to fire shell
at US, but in here you will be perfectly
SAFE" and l turned to leave them.
But you." exclaimed Miss Gray
man. OBTAINING me. with an expression
Of concern that thrilled me-'.you must
not expose yourself while we are COW
eredr'
''I'll look out for cover" l returned,
'but 1 must first make sure what they
are about"
knew well enough what they were
about. 1t was evident to me now
that the Chameleon carried the drop
ping bombs that were used in war. and
that Payton was going to drop one of
these missiles upon US with the aid of
the kite. another military device which
at that time had come into use as an
auxiliary in such cases.
If the top of the rocks had been as
exposed as he naturally concluded 1t
to be his cunning would have had its
reward and we should have been
blown to bits; or, at the very least,
put hors de combat so that he could
safely rush the stronghold.
watched the manipulation Of the
kite with the keenest anxiety. hoping
that some accident would. come to 1t.
But Payton was skillful, and in few
minutes he had it poised exactly over
The top Of the rocks. l was familiar |
with such tactics.
could see the round black bomb |
depending from 1t. and the string that |
controlled its descent. the pulling of |
which would cause 1t to fall. In my !
desperation I took quick aim with |
my pistol and fred. for the thing was !
not hundred feet above Us, hoping |
to cause an explosion In the air But |
Of course / missed. and an instant aft
erward l saw the string jerked and |
the fearful missile began its descent
/ ran and lodged into a sloping
crevice at the side Of the Enclosure.
In two or three seconds the explo- /
sion occurred. The effects were fear
full. 1t shook the whole rocky emf
hence. sent fragments flying In every
direction and ground the rock where
the bomb struck to powder l felt an
pain In my left ankle.
which had been left exposed. but /
was out Of my hiding place In a mo-
nent, impfng to a peephole.