Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-04-05
CHAPTER xxII.-contInued.

rrue enough. The fifth bullet had
,sussd between the gaping jaws OF
Al reptile and taken on the greater
nrt OF that darting scarlet thread
4 neatly as a sharp instrument could
rufr candle. While the wound
cnbtless caused agony to the snake,
d,d not lessen its anger. The pol
rDoeharged fangs remained In It's
Mouth. and the cutting on OF its
lougue svelled its fury to the ultimate
tsUee
Britr dropped the pistol on the chif-
lonIer and thrust both hands In his
sockets.
sUp tree for fair" he SAID. Moth
he more doing In the artillery line"
aThat was your last cartridge?"
Britz bent his head affirmatively.
An expression Of slow wrath gathered
tree IN the Headquarters mans face,
\ he stared at the swaying serpent
uch a short distance below. One
syuld see he was angry enough to
IKE the desperate chance OF spring
hr nom his perch and trying to
nile the cobra with his heels. or,
Ming that, SEEKING It by the neck.
seeking to throttle It. The instinct OF
rif.preservation, however, was
stronger than rage. Britt was willing
enough 10 risk bis life in the fulfill
hs Of his duty. so long as the risk
neant fghting chance to him. He
sss too sensible absolutely to throw
ID life away. and something told him
bat IN spite OF ell the courage In the
surld. no man would have an appreci-
able percentage Of opportunity in q
katie at close quarters with 50 ven
cpous q serpent Yet he must get
ct d that house. He felt he was the
csly man on the police force who
sculd b sure Of heading OF the ORR
entails In that very moment they
night Be beyond the city's limits.
ksaring the booty he had pursued for
Reekr. II was more than his self
Doise could stand He gave rein to
rs anger. and for the first time in all
Re Doctors acquaintance with him he
wore hard and fast and long. His
NV Of profanity stopped as suddenly
= Il had commenced. He drew one
md from his pocket, and slowly. as
Z he hardly dared to trust his senses,
,r'd up his fingers and looked at what
1ey clasped. Then he held the OBJ
~ out triumphantly for the physi-
aan to see. It was q loaded cartridge
tEgutten when last he emptied his
>eckes Of their supply Of extra am
n1nitionl
Wen make no miss with this one
n1d the sleuth. Don't you think you
"a use n better, docf"
No" said Fitch. Il am not in your
1ass when It comes TO snufing out
Erpents' tongues. You may IRE when
m are ready. lieutenant"
Brisz grinned, shook the empty
1>ls out Of the revolver. slipped the
~ cartridge into one OF the cham
e'rs and twirled It until It raraueled
1e barrel. Then, once more using
- arm Is rest, he took careful aim.
ue vas about to pull the trigger,
men Tie door was flung open and the
@uoimed policeman stood on the
0rs<hold.
Well said the bluecoat. excuse
- Tor butting In. but I thought some
1lDs might have"
FITCH checked him with an appraised
'sac' and the patrolman's eyes al
rs. burst In their sockets as. lower
nis gaze. he saw the approaching
AN covered by the Headquarters
ms pistol. For seconds space,
me q the three men moved. Then a
1.nllic click broke the suspense,
NY to leave It In another instant
e tsut than ever as all three re-
zsd the cartridge had missed IRE.
hluecoat's hand reached for his
20 Panic-strtcken though he had
- q hrst sight of the cobra. he had
puck common to the humblest
snser Of "the finest" and he plain
meditated taking the serpent from
rear. He would not trust to his
'oiser. lest his aim, spoiled by the
enziu OF the situation, should fly
and hit one OF the two refugees
Ne ehiffonisr. But Britx saved