Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-23

dered DULY. occasionally sending up
shower Of sparks as Q drauYht Of ali
canned the embers, but there were few
signs Of life visible. For the momen
| even hoped our enemies might have
grown discouraged and withdrawn.
What has become of the guerillas?
I asked In wonderment, turning ~ ]
spoke to face the Federal corpora
who lay On the other side Of me. us
1t possible they have given up?"
II think not, captain" he replied re-
spectfully, saluting as he would ono o;
his own officers. They were there
just before the light came. and l saw
dozen or more stealing along behind
the fence not five minutes ago. See
there Is a squad Of them now hudd!ed
together back of where tho 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
latte. right there by that big mag
ro:ia tree. Anyhow. there must be all
of twenty fellows lying close together
between there and where the corner
Of the house shuts on my view. don't
sec mono this side anywhere, unless
it's . shooter or two hiding along the
fence where the vines are thick"
That's It., my lad" exclaimed.
heartily; getting upon my feet as
spoke. I'VE can stand up now, there's
no danger here, but there will be mu-
sic for all Of US presently. Those fell
lows are getting ready to charge US
front and rear"
There were i've in the room. I
could see them only indisunctly, as
tho morning light was not yet sufl-
ciently 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 tho.e windows" I commanded.
Gle would prove Of small value in a
hand-to-hsnd struggle, but can pro "a
bly, do some shooting. The rest como
with me-"
led them forth into the wide hall
way, which extended the full length
Of the house. with . broad flight OF
stairs Just forward Of tho center,
gradually curvinE and leading to tho
second story. Tho suspended light
WAS yet burning 40 We came out. but
dickered wildly a. II in . strong
drausht 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, I peered within. The
blinds were tightly drawn and I was
able to perceive little of its interior,
excepting that the walls were lined
with books.
"Ebers." called. thinking he must
be there. ARE you in charge here?"
Il vos, captain" came the instant re-.
ply, and he 1T once emerged from the
i'a-hness.
'Have the enemy kept you busy
DER vos some shooting. und Hadley
No got hurt bad, but der fellers is all
gone"
Bring your mon At for duty out
here in the hall, and have them Join
my party. How many have you?"
dor is four. captain"
He drew back, and as he disap-
peared some one came hastily toward
W along tho hallway from tho rear.
What is 1t, Caton?" asked anx-
iously, as I recognized him.
They are forming to rush me,
think" he answered. II need few
more men If can get them"
They are preparing to assault front
and rear at the same time" an
svered. They are n1assing now, and
in my judgment Brennan will have to
face the brunt Of 1t. The front of this
house is greatly exposed, and will
prove extremely dificult to defend II
they come against it 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
ne. There are times when a higher
law than that Of military despotism
should control our actions. am go.
Ing there. orders or no orders. Ebers
can command your detachment and ac.
connpiish all the service you possibly
could. Your rightful place is between
these rufrars and the woman you
love. How many additional men Will
be required to make the back Of the
house secure?"
II feel like new man, Wayne" he
said thankfully, land I know you are
right. Four more would be sufficient.
besides the one In command"
Good! Ebers," said, as my portly
sergeant again emerged from out the
darkness. take your four men back
to the kitchen and assume command.
The guer,llas are preparing to make
q rush there. and you must drive them
back BY rapid fire. Hurry along
now"
The little group had barely van.
ished beyond the glow Of the light
when from without our ears were sud
denly assailed by q wild. exulting yell