The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-07

lard went on with diabolical careless ness. '"rhe cries of a coward and a craven are good music, but there are others who, having faced death brave 1y every day, should not be allowed to die slowly even at the hands of their enemies. They have been real men. all their lives. with a hand always ready to help worthy friend or foe, and ik is for worthy men to help them wheh the time comes. We all know that Sir Verrall is man.
 They nodded and drank their wine iA silence.
 I thought it was time to speak fop myself.
 eve are all men tere,,'' I said. I looked, toward O'Ryan's corner and hoped he understood that excepted him. sfHad we met outside these walls we should have fought each other to the death. Whether I fell or nay en- emy fortune would decide, but which ever it was it would have been an hon orable fall. do not fear even such a death as you administer within these walls, but should 1ilse to cheat those false friends of mine who would g1oat over my lingering agonies.H
 "And one of them is woman, eh2 2s said one man, who appeared to be the chief.
 'eYes." >
 "A man should never suffer for the sake of woman he returned, and his companions nodded approval of the sentiment.
 "Then, my friends, are you willing to help me?''
 'stand up.'' said the spokesman. s'L.et me look at you, szas4= e-.gs-s zgres.
 did as I was requested. He was a master in his internal art, and he passed his hands over my arms and back and thighs. His touch was 1oath- some, not in itself exactly, but by in ference. The others gathered round him to watch the operation ~s 'sThere are muscles here that will take some cracking" he said thought fully. F
 '.An unlucky blow on the head might ease that difhculty,'' suggested.
 faye, and stretch onr limbs instead of yours" he laughed. My willing ness to help you does not extend to that.'''
 "A quick jerk should sumce,' said Costa.
 'tFeel that muscle, captain" was the answer.
 Costa put his hand under my shoul- der and whist1ed.
 ffIt is harder than the kings said the executioner.
 ''I know that,'' Costa answered, re membering my trial of strength with his majesty, 'but that sweet machine of yours should be equal to it."
 'eYou think it has had practice enough. eh captain ?'' CT warrant it can be turned to crack even the knights muscles, mighty as they are,'' said one of the others. 'It can be gentle and powerful too. Do you remember when it embraced a man and a woman on the same day p
 'aThat experimentsis likely to be re- peated,'' said the chief executioner.
 "The princessr' exclaimed.
 ''They say so."
 'rWhy trouble Sir Verrall with that pc said Costa, evidently angry that I had been told.
 ''It is of little consequence" an gwered the man, with a rough laugh. 'In death man can only take care of himself. will treat the lady quickly, too, if the knight wills it."
 With an effort was calm.
 'HThis is indeed being comrade." said. holding out my hand. ''I have a weakness in my ndture-a foolish one, perhaps, but don't like women to sut- fer" Ap
 ''It requires strength to suffer much. Women don't suffer as men do," he re- turned, with brutal certainty. "And if they do what matter? They are only vvomen.'
 dared not express my horror.
 "But in this case you will bring death quickly?' said
 "You may rely on us.'
 ''That is satisfactory" said Costa, rising.
 had almost forgotten O'Ryan. I remembered him then. 'eThat man has heard our bargain, g I said.
 ''He will not betray it.''
 "Do you swear not to do so?'' I said, turning to the Irishman. 'I am not less mercfful than the executioners," he growled. I shook each villain by the hand as he left me and asked Costa to distrib- ute among them what few posses atons I had. I shook hands even with O'Ryan, and then was left alone. Did O'Ryan grasp my hand more firmly than was necessary? I might have spent the night wondering, but wrhnu fF1ov< had <roTlo hraI-o doxxT, for.