The Lamar register., 1911-12-20

I1AAA aOlp captain AS ASPf-~~
specially. saluting as he would one OF
his own officers. They were there
Just before the light came, and | saw
a dozen or more stealing along behind
the fence not five minutes ago. See,
there is a squad of them now huddled
together back Of where the stable
stood"
Screw your eye close to the cor
ner of the pane" / ordered hurriedly.
and see what you make out toward
the front of the house"
There's men out there sure. plenty
of EN-" he reported slowly. 1T looks
to me mighty like the end OF line OF
battle. right there by that big mag
nolia tree. Anyhow, there must be all
of twenty fellows lying close together
between there and where the corner
of the house shuts OF my view. don't
sec none this side anywhere. unless
it's . shooter or two hiding along tho
fence where the vines are thick"
That's 1t, my lad" I exclaimed.
heartily. getting upon my feet as I
spoke. I'VE can stand up now. there's
no danger here. but there will be mu-
sic for all OF US presently. Those fel-
lows are getting ready to charge us
front and rear"
There were I'VE In the room. I
could see them only indistinctly. a.
the morning light was not yet sum
GENTLY strong to penetrate clearly to
where we were, but was able to note
those present-the corporal and his
wounded companion, with Hollis and
Call of my troop.
Let the wounded man remain and
guard those windows" I commanded.
He would prove OF small value In 4
hand-to-hand struggle. but can proba-
bly, do some shooting. The rest come
with me-"
l led them forth into the wide hall
way, which extended the full length
of the house. with q broad flight OF
stairs just forward of the center.
gradually curving and leading to the
second story. The suspended light
was yet burning as We came out. but
fickered wildly as II In a strong
draught Of air. and noticed that the
constant rain Of bullets during the
night had badly splintered an upper
panel Of the door. Halfway down the
broad hallway. and partially obscured
by the turn Of the stairs. a door stood
slightly ajar upon the right hand.
Conjecturing this might be where the
defenders of the eastern exposure
were lying. peerei within. The
blinds were tightly drawn and was
able to perceive little of its interior.
excepting that the walls were lined
with books
"Ebers,' I called. thinking he must
be there. ARE you In charge here?"
Il vos. captain" came the instant re-
ply. and he at once emerged from the
darkness.
Have the enemy kept you busy?"
Der vos some shooting. ind Hadley
he got hurt bad. but der fsllers is all
gone"
Bring your men At for duty out
here in the hall. and have them Join
my party. How many have your"
Der is four. captain"
He drew back, and as he disap-
peared some one came hastily toward
US along the hallway from the rear.
What IL It. Catonf" I asked anx-
iously. a. recognized him.
They are forming to rush me.
think" he answered. Il need . few
more men II can get them"
They are preparing to assault front
and rear At the same time" I an
swsrsd. They are massing now. and
In my Judgment Brennan will have to
face the brunt Of II. The front of this
house 10 greatly exposed. and will
prove extremely dinicult to defend II
they come against II with any force.
How many men do you absolutely re-
quire to hold your position? Remem-
Der. the women are all In the front
part Of the house. and we must pro-
tect them at all hazards: come with
me. There are times when q higher
law than that of military despotism
should control our actions. l am 60
ing there. orders or no orders. Ebers
can command your detachment and &C.
complish all the service you possibly
could. Your rightful place is between
these rufians and the woman you
love. How many additional men will
be required to make the back Of the
house secure?"
81 feel like . new man. Wayne" he