The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-01-16

ions OF whose approach nau not been
wanting, manifested itself without Be-
meath a sudden, savage assault, the
| door shook; yet engrossed at the line,
every muscle strained, the man at the
stanchiOn Needed not. Swiftly, me-
chanicaiiy Le worked, apparently as
| unconscious of the clamorous soldiers
"s;hout 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 thrush.
ing black figures paused, uncertain;
lights soon were pushed forward, how.
ever, and then could they see the great
wheel going round, unwinding the
rope; the man at the stanchion.
THE prisoners! He's letting their
down"
"Cut the line!"
Some one with a knife rushed for
ward, severed the strand; but at that
moment the car touched the bottom.
| linen 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 fercsly 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 a 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 he
hind by the wall; at one end, by the
masonry jutting 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 a savage Jerk. set II
In motion. The swords thrust at him
We're turned aside, one or two Of his
assallants were caught in the ponder
GUS mechanism, and, before those at
lacking him had recovered from their
surprise. the blade of the Black Seig-
neur shot in and out; TO the right, to
the left. Those ahead fell back upon
their comrades; two, however. were
unable to withdraw, and sank to the
ground before the wheel A third,
with his hand to his throat and max
ing strange sounds, staggered back to
the wall.
Momentarily disconnected, the 9th.
ers hesitated. in the tends name.
fear We one MANI" shouted an authori.
tative voice
! "A DEVIL"
'Tis the Black Seignsur! had a
good sight of him"
BEAT! beat!
Mid marsh muck and mire-"
came in hooking tones from behind
, the wheel
The mountebank!"
"Sacre tonnerre! But mountebank.
or outlaw, you shall pay! This way."
And at the unprotected side of tho
wheel the commandant sought to
bring the issue to conclusion. One
blade the Black Seigneur struck down.
while his own weapon retorted with
more effect, though as it did so. an
other soldier made lunge, and his
sword entered the shoulder of the man
behind the wheel. shout of triumph
that fell from the lips of the Gov
ernor's trooper was, however, abrupt
ly checked; lurching forward with the
stroke, ere he could recover, some
thing heavy-a brass hilt-beat like a
hammer on his head and he dropped
to his knees. The others pressed
closer; but with the desperation Of a
man resolved to sell his life dearly,
the Black Seigneur fought on; regard
less Of cut and thrust, was holding the
narrow entrance, when from the rear,
somewhere, came the report of fire
arm.
Back! Stand back"
Those nearest the wheel, not un-
willing, perhaps, to desist, drew away;
ShbSi NNtOIiatiOh5 IOllOWtu anu SluOhS
filled the place, obscuring the gaze.
( In the yellow fog they waited until
first it was swept aside close to the
opposite wall by a draft of air from
the aperture of the adjoining store
room, and the commandant, in an ef-
fort to see, moved impatiently for
ward Ere, however, he could reach
the wheel, near the threshold Of the
store-room, he felt his arm suddenly
seized.
Look, listen!"
The warning cry-a girls voice
rang through the wheelroom; but the
commandant did not at once heed it;
at that abrupt touch he had involun-
tarily wrested his arm away; he
stared, not in the direction she who
had called out pointed, but at her!
The white. drawn face, the eyes d.
lated
You, my Lady! Here?" he STAN
mered.
But she only made a wild move
ment; again grasped. drew him for.
ward.
Quick, or" And suddenly was he
brought to a realization of what she