The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-04-19
CHAPTER x.-(continued.)

Coast decided to make himself
present of whatever benefit might be
held 10 inhere in the doubt lie
gained the rear entrance I'm a bound.
with another found himself charging
down the embankment, in whose
treacherous composition of loose sand
and gravel he struggled momentarily
and vainly for footing. Then be tell
and rolled 1ngloriousy, accompanied
by cloud of dirt. rubbish and small
stones. At the bottom OF a descent OF
some thirty feet he picked himself
UP, unhurt but shaken. just as a sec
ond bullet ploughed up the sand two
PAGES 10 one side.
There was no longer any question
as 10 the identity of the target Coast
permitted himself a single, Heeting.
upward glance, caught a cinemato-
graphic glimpse of the Chinaman-
like some huge. ungainly bird in his
loose, Tapping garments, descending
the bank-and turned and ran head
long
Presently, some distance ahead, the
catboat took shape through the mist.
For some reason Coast hailed 1t with
a sob Of hope: Heaven alone knows
what manner of hope the sight OF II
held out to his dazed perceptions. He
mad merely a bewildered notion that
If only he could hold out until he
reached the boat il would afford him
u.
might stumble across some monde
script weapon OF defenCe-a broken
oar-anything.
Somehow be did manage to gain the
little vessel, and, with his pursuer
pounding on not fifteen feet in the
rear. doubled like a rabbit round its
stern. He had a fugitive impression,
as he passed. OF a curious something
crouching there but with no time tor
recognition. or indeed for thought. he
shot on. OF sudden painfully alive
10 the fact that be mad been mistaken.
that there was no refuge for him
there
Then he pulled up on the sound OF
a heavy fall behind him-a dull crash
followed by a short, stifed cry and a
sharp crack as OF two stones coming
together.
He looked back in time 10 see the
short. starved figure OF Appleyard
Strengthening up from the body of the
Chinaman. to see the little mans half
friendly, half-apologetic smile. and TO
hear him say in a tone OF quiet reas-
surance: All right. old top. He's
down and three times out"
lncredulous and half exhausted,
Coast staggered back to the boat
The Chinaman lay like some mon
strous effigy Of man. inert. sprawling,
with a sagging Jaw, shut eyes and a
ragged. bleeding wound in the mid.
die OF his forehead a bit OF drift.
wood-part OF the ater-bleached
branch OF a small tree-was twisted
between his feet; a formidably Jagged
stone in Appleyard's hand eked out
the story OF his downfall
1T wasn't anything" the little man
explained with his timid. makeshift
smile. noting Coasts expression Il
saw you coming-heard the shots 70
begin with-and made preparation &C.
cordin'. Lucky you chanced this
,ay Otherwise
He shrugged and cast away the
stone that had served so famously.
WED better be making tracks before
the others came down on US" be sug
gested calmly
"You-you've killed him?" Coast
panied
"Um-m-no: sorry 70 say" Apple
yard moved 10 one side and picked
up TIE revolver which had fallen from
the Chinaman's hand Unfortunately
Just stunned Mebbe." ne
added. Frightening momentarily. "itl
turn out concussion OF the brain. but
he made dubious mouth-"Tm
afraid not Those brutes are tough