Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-05-24
CHAPTER XxXIiI.
The Fight In tho Hall.

The Fight In tho Hall.
Scarcely comprehending that Claire
had escaped from the room, | was
swept forward by the onrush OF
bodies. The preacher was knocked
headlong beneath the table, but Fagin
lay motionless underfoot. Jones and
Grant turned to q door at the right,
and leaped after them. One of the
two fred, and the ball struck my
shoulder, the impact throwing me
back against n of mg men. An In
slant I felt sick and dizzy, yet real
tied I was not seriously hurt, and
managed to staggeT TO nay feet. The
door was closed and locked, and, al
though ny head reeled, l began to
think clearly.
The other way, lads!" / cried.
quick, into the hall"
We tumbled out through the narrow
entrance, and l found myself next to
Eric. But we were too late to h ad
off the fugitives, or prevent their
achieving their purpose. In through
the rear door, confused as to what
had occurred, yet shouting iercely,
poured Fagin's wolves, seeking trou-
BILE. They were a wild, rough-looking
lot, addressed, INC 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 Oh. With us there re-
manned no choice; we must fight 1t
out where We were, regardless Of num-
bers.
Fire! you damned fools-frei"
roared Jones, and there was a crash
ing of guns, he dense smoke swirling
between us. A Dragon at my right
went sprawling; another behind gave
. to a yell as he plunged head first
-doXnthe basement stairs. There was
the sound of splintering wood, Of
breaking glass. | felt the blood in my
veins leap to the fever of it.
We were upon the fellows with a
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, put those De-
hind, eager to strike also, pressed up
so recklessly that we hurled them
back. To me it 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-barrels whirled
before me, flashes of fire burned my
eyes, strange features, bearded, mallg-
nant. glared at me. l leaped straight
at their. striking ~1erCely. Once l saw
Nnt, and aimed n blow at him. Then
he wes gone, swallowed in the ruCk.
Our mad onrush swept them back,
helpless, demoralized. l stumbled ovsr
bodies. slipped in pools OF blood, yet
kept my feet. Every muscle ached; l
was cut and pounded. yet drove into
the mass. shouting to those behind:
Come on, lads! 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 go
no further. Blocked, unable to retreat,
wedged helplessly against the far end
OF the hall they turned like cornered
rats. l could see nothing of Jones,
but l heard him, raging like a lend.
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 a handful,
you can chew EN- up, il you will Push
tpyn hppR thnrnt Ouch 'an, hocLip
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. 1t was hand to
hand, neither side having time to re-
load their weapons. The smoke rose
permitting q view OF the shambles.
There was q tangle Of arms, a tumble
of faces. They were maddened beasts
desperate. revengeful. Hands clutched
at US, gun butts were thrust into our
faces, the crush too dense to permit
Of their being swung overhead. Ny
Dragons had their sabres out, and
stood to 1t like men, the steel blades
gripping as they tasted blood. But
killing q only brought a new man tc
the front One does not see so much
Is feel in such a tumble. Yet | knew
we were worsted. o~utnumbsred. They
came at us like a battering ram
saw the sergeant shot through the
forehead; l saw Eric go down beneath
2 crushing stroke. and roll under my
Feet. | stepped on bodies, fighting fol
my own Nfe as l never fought before
Somewhere l had gripped a gun u o.
dead fingers and swung it savsgely
smashing the stock at the first blow
but retaining the twisted iron. The
intensity Of excitement seemed t
clear my brain. I began to distinguish
voices. TO notice FACES. l heard Gran
yell safely in the rear; l heard Jones
roar, ITO he'll with EN-! To hell witt
tem!" Out of the murk of struggling
figures | made out his black beard