The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1912-12-04

the arm he struck SO fierceIy the fore
most Of those to rush at him that the
fellow fell, hitting hard the stone floor.
Those nearest stumbled, and drawing
his sword. with a thrust of point or
blow Of hilt, the Black Seigneur, for a
moment withstood the first confused
on-comtng; then extricated himself
and leaped to the narrow space behind
the wheel. Here was he protected be-
hind by the wall; at one end, by the
masonry tutting out, while, at the 9TH
er, only one or two could attack at the
same time. But in front, through the
spokes of the broad wheel, they might
we'll hope to reach him.
At once the soldiers sprang for
ward, when. Selling the wheel, the
man behind. with a savage jerk, set it
In motion. The swords thrust at him
were turned aside, one or two of his
assaflants were caught in the ponder
GUS mechanism, and, before those at
lacking him had recovered from their
surprise, the blade Of the Black Seig-
neur shot in and out; to the right, to
the left. Those ahead fell back upon
their comrades; two. however, were
unable to withdraw. and sank to the
ground before the wheel. A third,
with his hand to his throat and max
ing strange sounds, staggered back to
the wall.
Momentarily disconnected, the 9th.
ers hesitated. "In the fiend's name,
fear ye one man?" shouted an authori.
tative voice.
"A devil!"
"Tis the Black Seigneuri had a
good sight Of him."
Mid marsh-muck and mire-"
came in hooking tones from behind
the wheel.
THE mountebank!"
"Sacre tonnerre! But mountebank,
or outlaw. you shall pay! This wayi"
And at the unprotected side of the
wheel the commandant sought to
bring the issue to a conclusion. One
blade the Black Seigneur struck down,
while his own weapon retorted with
more effect. though as it did so, m
other soldier made a lunge, and his
sword entered the shoulder of the man
behind the wheel. A shout of trump
that fell from the lips of the Gov
ernor's trooper was, however, abrupt
ly checked; lurching forward with the
stroke. ere he could recover, some
thing heavy-a brass hilt-beat like Il
hammer on his head and he dropped
to his knees. The others pressed
htrf wi ha <,f.
man resolved to sell his life dearly,
the Black Seigneur fought on; regard
less Of cut and thrust. was holding the
narrow entrance. when from the rear.
somewhere. came the report of fire
arm.
Back! Stand back!"
Those nearest the wheel. not I'M
willing. perhaps. to desist. drew away;
other detonations followed and smoke
filled the place. obscuring the gaze
In the yellow fog they waited; until
first 1t was swept aside close to the
opposite wall by a draft of air from
the aperture of the adjoining store
room. and the commandant, in an ef-
fort to see. moved impatiently for
ward. Ere. however. he could reach
the wheel, near the threshold OF the
store-room, he felt his arm suddenly
seized.
Look. listeni"
The warning cry@a girls voice
rang through the wheel-room; but the
commandant did not at once heed it;
at that abrupt touch he had involun-
tarily wrested his arm away; he
stared. not in the direction she who
had called out pointed, but at her!
The white, drawn face, the eyes di-
lated
You. my LADY, Here?" he STAN
mered.
But she only made a wild move
ment; again grasped, drew him for
ward.
Quick, or" And suddenly was he
brought to a realization of what she