Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-08
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CleTS lSSl grew sOuuci, ual1i, A$oSiAA6
the little square and the guard-house,
all tumult suddenly ceased. A mo-
mentary silence, strange, ominous,
was broken by din Of voices, as the
daring here and there OF torches
threw grotesque reflections high
against the grim background Of black
masonry.
To those now within the wheel-room,
the cause of that abrupt clamor was
not difficult to divine; his Excellency's
soldiers had found the sentinels over
powered in the guard-house! Would
the former stop to investigate: search
first those subterranean passages? Al
ready had the prisoners, the weaker
OF the Black Seigneur's men, filed the
car, or hung clinging to the rope
above; already was the wheel turning
almost before the key had turned in
the lock at the entrance.
"Seigneur!"
: Sanchez"
when We left the wheel-room; we
closed the door," d.
When we got back, it"
A football without interrupted, fol-
lowed by the sound Of hand at the
door, and other steps drawing near.
jacques" An expectant voice
spoke; waited: called louder. Then
those outside listened; some one ex-
claimed, and hurried footsteps retreat
Cd toward the guard-house.
As they died away. in the wheel
room the car came up for the second
time empty, and inquiringly the men
there looked from one 10 the other;
but, even in that moment of danger,
not one of them moved, or made sign
OF impatieuce. Some must go; 9th
ers remain, and stoically they awaited
the word OF their leader.
Down with all OF you! I'll let you
out the line" taking a turn with the
rope around a stanchion near the
wall, "and then come down myself"
The command was unexpected; for
the first time those that had never
questioned their leaders authority.
hesitated. and more sharply was the
order repeated; whereupon they
obeyed; all save one.
"I'll let it out myself" said San
chez.
Get I'M"
y "No!" was the obdurate reply. when
the Black Seigneur made a sign;
hands reached up. seized Sanchez. and
q moment later the car started down.
The line strained; as it played out,
now running free about the stanchion,
then stopping with jerks, the man in
the wheel-house almost looked to see
1t part. The hempen strand, however,
proved sound; held it's human freight;
but another danger pressed near.
Scarcely had the car begun its down
ward journey than an attack, indica-
tons OF whose approach had not been
wanting. manifested itself without. Be-
Meath sudden, savage assault, the
door shook: yet engrossed at the line,
every muscle strained. the man at the
stanchion needed not. Swiftly. me-
chanically he worked, apparently as
unconscious of the clamorous soldiers
without as Of silent presence within
some one that had been concealed in
the little store-room adjoining, open
ing into the wheel-house. and now
peered out; but at once drew back. as,
with a crash, the door fell in.
= At, first. in the comparative dark
ness. with only the sky at the aperture
staring them in the face. the in-rush-
ing black figures paused. uncertain;
lights soon were pushed forward, how
ever, and then could they see the great
wheel going round. unwinding the
roIa; the man at the stanchion.
The prisoners! He's letting them
down"
Cut the line!"
Some one with knife rushed for
ward. severed the strand: but at that
moment the car touched the bottom.
Then did the solitary man at the rope
Tor the first time awaken to his own
situation; with a backward sweep Of
the arm he struck so fercely 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 thrust Of point or
blow of hilt, the Black Seigneur, for a
moment withstood the first confused
,on.coming: 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 1utting 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
well hope to reach him
At once the soldiers sprang for
ward. when, selling the wheel, the
man behind. with savage jerk. set i,
in motion. The swords thrust at him
were turned aside. one or two OF his
assailants were caught in the ponder
,ous mechanism, and, before those at
lacking him had recovered from theil
surprise, the blade Of the Black Seig
neur shot in and out: to the right, tc