The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-06-05

poured Fagtn's wolves, seeking trou-
bic. They r a wild, roughlooking
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
l heard Jones below Of command, and
Grants nasal voice ~profanely ordering
them to come on. With US there re-
NAMED no choice; we must fight II
out where WI were, regardless of num-
bers.
Fire! you damned foois-fre!"
roared Jones, and there was a crash
ing OF guns, the dense smoke swirling
between us. A Dragon at my right
went sprawling; another behind gave
vent to a 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 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 h%alf-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 it was all confusion, up
roar, deadly fighting. / could think
or nothing to right or left, only of the
struggling devils in my front. Faces,
forms, came and vanished in the swirl
or smoke, brown gun-barrels whirled
before me, flashes of fire burned my
eyes, strange features, bearded, maiig-
nant. glared at me. i leaped straight
at them, striking 1ercely. Once / saw
Grant, and aimed a 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, lads! Come onl We're
driving them!"
A yard, two yards, three-beyond
the door where the men had escaped
we won u 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 heard him. raging like a fend.
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 'em up. If you will! Push
'em back. there! Push 'em back!"
With a 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 a view of the shambles.
There was a tangle OF arms, a tumble
of faces. They were maddened beasts.
desperate, r%evengeful. Hands clutched
at US, gun butts were thrust into our
faces, the crush too dense to permit
Of their being swung overhead. MY
Dragons had their sabres out, and
stood to it like men, the steel blades
dripping as they tasted blood. But
killing n only brought a new man to
the front. One does not see so much
as feel In such a tumble Yet knew
We were wersted, oatnumhered. They
came at us like a battering ram. |
saw the sergeant shot through the
forehead; / saw Eric go down beneath
a crushing stroke. and roll under my
feet. | stepped on bodies, fighting for
my W life as l never fought before.
Somewhere had gripped a gun out of
dead fingers and swung II ~savagely.
smashing the stock at the first blow.
but retaining the twisted iron. The
intensity of excitement seemed TO
clear my brain. I began to distinguish
voices. to notice faces. I heard Grant
yell safely In the rear; l heard Jones'
roar, ITO hell with EN-! To hell with
'em!" Out Of the murk OF struggling
figures ] made out bis black beard
the CLEAN of yellow fangs, and leaued
toward him, striking men down until
was able to swing at his head. He
went over like a stricken OK under a
butchers ak. knocking aside two men
as he fell. 1t gave me chance TO
spring out OF the melee.
ITO the stairs. men! The stairs!"
I cried. I'VE can hold them there!"
I cannot describe now how we made
IT. but we did. ] only know Tom and
held the rear. sweeping circles OF
death with our whirling g~un-barreis.
falling back step by step as we fought.
AT last ! felt the bottom stairs with
my foot. and heard a voice shout:
Come up, sir! Wen hold EN- now!D
Then was above the heads OF the
mob, gripping the rail, and sobbing for |
breath. There followed a momeat's |
wait. an instant Of hesitancy. I began
to see and feel once more. Below us
the hall vas jammed with men. 40
closely pressed together as to be al
most helpless. Blood streamed from 4
cut In my forehead. nearl, binding
me. but ! wiped 1t away. and took one
glance at their angry upturned faces.
ny gained y glimpse or my own men. |
T6oro Wor0 but ufx ~ m. - |