The Cairo bulletin., 1912-07-08

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Floor.
door was closed and locked, and, al
though my head reeled, began to
| think, clearly. rl, t.4, So 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 ocsurred, yet shouting 6ercely,
poured Fagin's wolves. seeking trou-
biz. They were 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 were, regardless of num-
bers.
"Firel you damned fools--1re!"
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 1t. .@
We were upon the fellows with
rush, firing in their very faces, and
leaping madly at. them. There was
little room between the walls, barely
space for 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 II 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
before me, flashes of fire burned my
eyes, strange features, bearded. mali8-
nant, glared at me. 1 leaped straight
at them, striking flercely. 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 drove into
the mass, shouting to those behind
Come on, ladsl Come on! We're
driving themi"
A yard, two yards, three--beyond
the door where the men had escaped
we won our way. Then they could go
np,fnrther. Blocked, unable to retreat,
wedged helplessly against the far end
Of the hall they turned like cornered
rats. could see nothing OF Jones,
but 4 heard him, raging like fend.
Now, YOU ours, now!" he stormed.
You cowardly scum---perhaps you'll
fight when you can't rum, What are
you afraid of? There's only handful,
you can chew 'em UP, II you will! Push
EN- back. there! Push 'em back!"
With yell of rage, those crushed
against the wall hurtled 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. 1t was hand to
hand. neither side having time to re-
load their weapons. The smoke rose,
permitting view of the shambles.
There was q tangle of arms, tumble
ofsfaces. They were maddened beasts,
desperate. revengeful. Hands clutched
at us. gun butts we're thrust into our
faces, the crush too dense to permit
Ct their, being Swung overhead. Ny
Dragons had their sabrss out and