The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-07-08

Over Chair, Crashing TO the
Floor.
door was closed and locked, and, al
though my head reeled, began to
think, clearly. sct. E4. .s
The other way. lads!" cried.
Quick, into the hall"
We tumbled out through the narrow
entrance, and found myself next to
Eric But we were too late to head
off the fugitives, or prevent their
achieving their purpose In through
the rear door, confused as, to. what
had ocaurred, yet shouting fercely.
poured Fagin's wolves, seeking trou-
biz. They were a wild, rough-looking
lot, addressed, and dirty even In that
dim light. 'For an instant, congested
within the limits OF the hallway, both
sides paused, staring at each other In
mutual surprise and hesitation. Then
heard Jones' below of command. and
Grants nasal voice profanely ordering
them to come on. With us there re-
manned no choice; We must fight 1t
out where we we're, regardless Of num-
bers.
Fire! you damned fools--fre!"
roared Jones, and there was crash
ing of guns, the dense smoke swirling
between us. A Dragon at my right
went sprawling; another behind gave
vent to yell as he plunged head first
down the basement stairs. There was
the sound of splintering wood, Of
breaking glass. felt the blood In my
veins leap to the fever Of It, gs,
We were upon the fellows with q
rush, firing In their very faces, and
leaping madly at them. There was
little room between the walls, barely
space for a half-dozen to fight In,
shoulder to shoulder, but those be-
hind, eager to strike also, pressed up
so recklessly that we hurled them
back. To me 1t was all confusion, up
roar. deadly fighting. 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 gun-barreIs whirled
before me, flashes of fire burned my
| eyes, strange features, bearded, malig-
nant, glared at me. leaped straight
at them, striking tiercely. Once saw
Grant, and aimed blow at him. Then
he was gone. swallowed In the ruck.
Our mad onrush swept them back.
helpless, demoralized. | stumbled over
bodies. slipped In pools of blood, yet
| kept my feet. Every muscle ached;
was cut and pounded, yet droYe into
the mass, shouting to those behind:
Come on, ladsi Come on! We're
driving them!"
A yard, two yards, three--beyond
the door where the men had escaped
we won our way. Then they could 60
| nc, further. Blocked. unable to retreat
wedged helplessly against the far end
Of the hall they turned like cornered
| rats. I could see nothing Of Jones
but 4 heard him.. raging like a ffend.
| Now, you ours, now!" he stormed
you cowardly scum-perhaps you'll
fight when you can't run! What are
| you afraid of? There's only handful
you can chew em up, II you will! Push
'em back. there! Push EN- back!"
With a yell OF rage, those crushed
against the wall hurled forward, driv
ing the others; men were lifted and
hurled at US; others gripped at our
feet; by sheer force Of numbers they
swept us backward. II was hand to
hand. neither side having time to re
load their weapons. The smoke rose
permitting a view Of the shambles
There was tangle of arms, a tumble
| Of faces. They were maddened beasts
desperate, revengefuI. Hands clutched
at us, gun butts we're thrust into oul
faces, the crush too dense to permit
q. their being swung overhead. NJ
Dragons had their sahres out and