Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-01-19

SaehS VI hAc stSip4S. tut tuS uOulSHt
even hoped our enemies might have
grown discouraged and withdrawn.
What has become Of the gueriilas7"
! asked In wonderment, turning as |
spoke to face the Federal corporal
who lay on the other side OF me. rs
it possible they have given up!"
Il think not, captain he replied re-
spectfully, saluting as he would one OF
his own officers. They were there
just before the light came. and saw
dozen or more stealing along behind
the fence not five minutes ago. See.
there IS squad Of them now huddled
together back Of where the stable
stood"
Screw your eye close to the cor.
ner of the pane" / ordered hurriedly.
land see what you make out toward
the 'front.' of the house"
There's men out there sure, plenty
Of EN-" he reported slowly. 1T looks
70 me mighty like the end of line OF
latte, right there by that big mag
nolla tree. ANYHOW. there must be all
OF twenty fellows lying close together
between there and where the corner
q The house shuts of my view. don't
see none this side anywhere. unless
it's a shooter or two hiding along the
fence where the vines are thick"
That's 1t, my lad exclaimed,
heartily, getting upon my feet as
spoke. we can stand up now. there's
no danger here, but there will be mu-
aic for all Of us presently. Those fel.
lows are getting ready to charge us
front and rear"
There were FIVE In the room. I
could see them only indistinctly. as
the morning light was not yet suffi.
ciently strong to penetrate clearly TO
where We were, but | was able to note
those present-the corporal and his
wounded companion, with Hollis and
Call OF my troop.
LET the wounded man remain and
guard those windows" l commanded.
He would prove of small value in
hand-to-hand struggle, but can proba.
bly, do some shooting. The rest come
with me-"
lCo shChl AOA ia sAtO thC VINO nail
way, which extended the full length
of the house, with broad fight OF
stairs just forward of the center,
gradually curving and leading to the
second story. The suspended light
was yet burning as We came out, but
lickered wildly as If In a strong
Graught of air. and noticed that the
CT mi rotv Of hull rivy fhk.
night had badly splintered an upper
panel of the door. Halfway down the
BROAD hallway, and partially obscured
by the turn of the stairs, door stood
slightly ajar upon the right hand.
Conjecturing this might be where the
defenders of the eastern exposure
were lying, peered within. The
blinds were tightly drawn and was
able to perceive little of its interior,
excepting that the walls were lined
with books.
"Ebers.' | called, thinking he must
be there, "are you in charge here?"
Il vos, captain" came the instant re-
ply, and he at once emerged from the
darkness.
Have the enemy kept you busy?"
Der vos some shooting, und Hadley
he got hurt bad, but der fellers is ali
gone"
Bring your men fit for duty out
here in the hall, and have them join
my party. How many have your"
Der is four, captain"
He drew back, and as he disap-
peared some one came hastily toward
US along the hallway from the rear
What is 1t. Caton?" | asked anx-
iously, as I recognized him
They are forming to rush me. I
think" he answered. Il need a few
more men If can get them"
They are preparing to assault front
and rear at the same time" I an
swered. They are massing now, and
In my judgment Brennan will have to
face the brunt of It, The front OF this
house is greatly exposed, and will
prove extremely difficult to defend IL
they come against 1t with any force.
How many men do you absolutely re-
quire to hold your position? Remem-
Der. the women are all In the front
part OF the house, and we must pro-
tect them at all hazards: come with
me. There are times when a higher
law than that OF military despotism
should control our actions. I am 60
ing there, orders or no orders. Ebers
can command your detachment and ac-
complish all the service you possibly
could. Your rightful place IL between
these ruff1ans and the woman you
love. How many additional men will
be required to make the back OF the
house secure?"
II feel like new man. Wayne" he
said thankfully, land l know you are
right. Four more would be sufficient,
besides the one In command"
Good, Ebers." said, as my portly
sergeant again emerged from out the
darkness. take your four men back
to the kitchen and assume command.
Tho prlarfllaa ara nranorin0 80 1919