Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-02
CHAPTER XVIII.

ITO your places" Numbered the old
man. And shoot 10 kill, You, too He
urged on the reluctant Bailey with the
butt of his revolver. IN take care of
your case later on.
AS 1 stumbled to my window the scream
ing women fed past me toward the rear
of the house. ] caught Sylvia's arm.
Get them into the storeroom and keep
them there. If l see any chance of es-
cape I'll come for you"
She ran off to obey the order. I turned
to my loophole. The sailors, falling back
to the edge of the veranda. were po!sing
the heavy spar which they carried In
prepaI alton for another attack. Mr.. Hay
wards revolver spat into the gloom, ard
one of the men dropped. With cry OF
fury the others hurled the battering ram
against the door. splintering the lower
panels with the wo~ce of the blow.
The old man sprang behind the center
table. Fire. you damned towards. he
shouted covering US with his weapon.
Fire or I'll shoot
Hanged # | will muttered Bailey.
truculently.
You'd better l warned him. like
do-in the air
Pierre and Wadsworth had already
opened a hot fusillade upon the besieSers.
We followed them with scattering shots.
For a few moments the sailors with
lstoud the shower of bullets b:avely, strug-
Cling TO force an entrance through the
shattered door. Then. as one after an
other fell before the deadly fire. they
broke in disorder, leaving their stricken
comrades in CHASTITY heap upon the
porch.
lowered my rifle with a sigh of relief.
The first skirmish was over. and my
hands were still unstained by blood:
The old man returned to his WirdoW.
We've done for them this time, he
cried, eXultantly. Perhaps they won't
be so reckless again.
y stihed groan went up. from the sham
bles outside. and one OF the wounded be-
gan to babbie childishly
Mr.. Hayward gave cruel laugh. stow
that CAB" re jeered. you'll have time
enough 10 talk in he'll.
Bailey cursed volubiy under his breath.
Even the stolid Wadsworth seemed to be
shaken ! glanced about the room to sat
isfy myself that Sylvia had not heard her
fathers words. And ii was then that
noticed the thick clouds of SmoFe pour
ing through the dning-room door.
Look | said. clutching the old man S
arm. I'VE must do something o" we'll be
bemmed in"
He shrugged What II we are? We
car stil move out on the veranda."
But we won't | protested.
why Motif wish it," He shot his
head forward. belligerent light springins
into his eyes. why not?'
Because I've had enough of murder.
raised my gun threateningly. Give ME
the key to the passageway.
But he swept the weapon out of my
grasp. What right have you to give
orders?" he cried. breaking into an angry
laugh. Back to your place. where you
belong. Ard you. too he reared swing
| ing on Bailey. who had crept up behind
me- You treacherous hound! For a
cent I'd settle my score with you now.
| Bailey started forward, but | laid re-
straining hand upon his arm. M. Hay
ward eyed us with sneering disdain and
| my anger crumbled beneath the cold
power of his glarce. He smiled as he
calmly reloaded his revolver. Then. turn
ng, he STROBE over to his coign OF vantage
| behind the table.
Now" muttcred Bailey, jerking away
| his arm.
| Nor l whispered. I'VE must wait!''