The Dolores star., 1912-08-16

efeps going up the stairs, and ..seL,
With yell, my men poured out from
the library into the hall.
CHAPTER xxxlli.
The Fight In the HAIL.
Scarcely comprehending that Claire
had escaped from the room. I was
swept forward BY the onrush OF
bodies. The preacher was Knocked
hsadlons beneath the table. but ragin
~ motionless underfoot. Jones and
Grant turned to . door 1t the right,
ard leaped after them. One Of the
two fred. and the ball struck my
shoulder. the impact throwing me
back against one Of my men. An in
stant felt sick and dissy. yet real
IT, ] was not seriously hurt. and
mahaeed to staEser to my feet. The
dor was closed and locked. and. a.
though my head reeled. I began &c
thhk clearly.
1.-THE other way. iadsi" cried
Quick. into the halt"
We tumbled out through the narrow
s4trance. and ] found myself next to
uftc. But we were too late to head
q the fugitives. or prevent their
achieving their purpose. In through
IT, rear door, confused a. to what
ha1teosurred. yet shouting 6ercely,
poI11sd Fagin's wolves. seeking trou.
ID They were wild, r0ugh-lookins
~ nl-dressed. and dirty even II that
~ light. For IN instant. coaesslsd
r. = - liu11s r II halluay. ho1h
sidss unused. stasing st each othss u
mutual surprise and hesitation. fhen
heard Jones' below Of command. and
GRANTS nasal voice profanely ordering
them TO come ON. With 10 there re-
NAMED NO choice: We must fight Il
out where We were. regardless Of mum.
bers.
"Firei you damned fools-6re!"
reared Jones. and there was crash.
Ing Of guns. the dense smoke swirlins
between u. A Dragon at my right
went sprawlins: another behind gave
vent to yell ~ be plunged head nrst
down the basement stairs There was
the sound Of spllntering wood. Of
breaking glass. felt the blood In my
veins leap to the fever Of II.
We were upon tho fellows with .
rush. airing In their very faces. and
leaping madly 1t them. There was
little room between the walls. barely
space for . half-dosen to fight In
shosslA~S a. ~hc..lsan. 1,s,s tho. -
hind. eager to strike also. pressed up
20 recklessly that we hurled them
back. To me II was all confusion. MP
roar. deadly nghting. ! could think
Of nothing to right or left. only Of the
struggling devils In my front Faces.
forms. came and vanished In the swirl
Of smoke. brown Eun.barrels whirisd
before me. flashes Of are burned my
eyes. strange features. bearded. malis.
nant. Glsred at me. leaped straight
at them. striking nercely. Once saw
Grant. and aimed blow 1t him. Then
he was gene. swallowed In the ruck.
dur mad 0nrush swept them back.
helpless. demoralised. ! stumbled over
bodies. slipped In pools Of blood. yet
kept my feet. Every muscle achsd; ]
was cut snd pounded. yet drove Into
tho mass. shouting TO those behind:
Come on. lads! Come oni We're
driving themi"
1 yard. two yards. thFes-bsyond
the door where the men had escaped
we won our way. Then they could 10
no further. Blocked. unable to retreat.
wedGsd helplessly against the far end
Of the hall they turned like cornsred
rats. ! could SEQ nothing oe Jones.
but J heard him. raging like aend
Nov. you ours. n0wi" hs stormed.
"You cowardly scum-perhsps you'll
hght whom you can't runi What are
you afraid OF There's only . handful.
you Co chsw EN- up. u you wiiii Push
EN- hack. thsrsl Push EN- bseki"
With . yeil Of rage. those crushed
against the wall hurried forward. 1riv.
ins Tie othsss: men we're lifted and
hurIse u ~; othsrs grippsd at oss
feet: ~ sheer force Of numbers thsy
swept " backward. Il was hand 10
hsnd. nsithsr side having tims 10 -
load their weapons. The smoke Vues.
permitting . view a ths sAanhlss.
Thsrs vas . tangls d arms. Q tuuhls
Of faces. They were naddensd bsasts.
despeeate. reveaosful. Hands clutchsd
st -, gun butts we're tAsust Into or
facee. the esusA ~ 1sase 10 Dsrmli
q theor being gwung evsshsal. "
Draooons ha1 tAs1f sabess ct, anlI
stoo1 - 4 M ~. u go $3.50