Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-07-28

leaving only an irregular, narrow open
ing. ! hurried them in here, sayingi
81 think they are going to fire a shell
at US, but in here you will be perfectly
SAFE" and 1 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 Gov
eredP'
"I1l look out for cover" I returned,
"but l must first make sure what they
are about"
I 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 It
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.
l watched the manipulation of the
kite with the keenest anxiety, hoping
hat some accident would come to it.
But Payton was skillful, and in a few
minutes he had it poised exactly ove
the top of the rocks. 1 was familiar
with such tactics.
1 could see the round black bomb
depending from it, and the string that
controlled its descent, the pulling of
which would cause it to fall. In my
desperation I took a quick aim with
my pistol and fired, for the thing was
not a hundred feet above US. hoping
to cause an explosion in the air. But
of Course l missed, and an instant aft
erward l saw the string jerked and
the fearful missile began its descent.
I 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, SEN fragments flying in every
direction and ground the rock where
the bomb struck to powder. 1 felt an
excruciating pain in my left ankle.
which had been left exposed, but ]
was out of my hiding place in a mo-
ment, limping to a peephole.
At the same moment Miss Grayman
appeared, ashy pale and trembling.
All now happened as 1 had expected.
Payton, seeing hat he had hit the
exact spot aimed at, shouted to his
men and came running forward. An
other man raj at his side.
"Quick to your lookout" I called to
Miss Grayman; "but, for Gods sake.
don't show yourselfr'
At the same time I got ready for
Payton. I meant to make sure of him
now. Hardly a second had elapsed
when Miss Grayman said in a fright
ened voice:
''Three men are coming on a rum
TN take care of them" l replied.
"Keep yourself under cover"
1t was Payton that I wanted. He
being disposed of, 1 felt in my exalta-
ton equal to dealing with the others.
The pirate and his companions ran
with the speed of deer.
Presently he was within twenty-five
yards. 1 could not be mistaken il
him-a broad breasted mark, making
straight for my pistol, leveled through
a triangular %crevice. ] felt that ]
could not miss him, and growing
through my clinched teeth, I've got
| you nowr' I fired.
But at that very instant Payton's
foot caught and down he fell, my bull
let singing over him. His wits work
ed like lightning. He had heard the
shot, and instead of rising he rolled
into a depression.
1 knew 1 had not hit him, but 1
could not see him where he lay.
The other man came on at full
speed, bringing his rife to his Shout
der as he began to ascend the rocks.