Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-10-31

Philip was tolerably familiar with

the stratagem loving Chinaman.
A plot of such magnitude necessitat-
ed the employment of many confed-
crates, and when each grade of vii
lain had received his share there must
be II goodly portion for the chief plot
ter; hence business must be done on
a large scale.
As Philip pondered these things his
ears were strained toward the upper
landing, where a confused murmur
rose and fell. Presently 1t increased
to n roar, and it was apparent that
whatever had been transpiring in the
fog had been interrupted and intense
excitement was rampant among the
coolies and boatmen.
Then there was silence for several
moments while they sat listening.
Suddenly Philip uttered n warning
cry:
LET her go, Peter! Great Scott,
we're In for 1t! Look outr
There was hurried rush down the
stone steps. the dull thud of many bare
running feet, and then score of phan-
tom hands seemed to take possession
OF the launch and its occupants.
While the two men in the launch had
expected an attack Of some kind IL
their presence In that vicinity should
b. discovered, they were unprepared
for such sudden and fierce onslaught
For I'm instant only were they dis
concertcd; then they sprang to meet
H. hall
quarters wny-for that is an Ameri-
can trait.
Peter Cook grabbed a wrench and
laid about him Justify among heads
and hands that he could only guess
were bobbing about in the darkness
which surrounded the launch.
Philip wns wrestling silently with n
pair Of strong. half naked coolies, who
had seized upon him and We're endeav-
oring to plniOn his arms.
As he struggled Philip was conscious
that numbers We're being added to the
ing Of men, and he was aware Of the
presence of many human beings about
HMM the water, on the stone steps
and on the wharf above him.
Philip knew that he and Peter would
soon be overpowered by the increasing
numbers, and so, with great and des-
perate effort. he thrust aside the cling
ing hands TINT were menacing him
and, bending down to the engine, open
cd the valve and In Il breath's time had
returned to his fight, and now he found
three coolies to deal with instead Of
two, and the fighting was hard.
With Sudden swish the launch
backed violently away from the land
Ing. Overturning the swarmlng coolies
and cutting ii swath through the crowd
which had gathered In tho water about
them.
Philip struggled with his three as
sailants, expecting every moment to re-
ceve IL knife thrust or to feel gnr-
roters cord encircle his throat The
odds were much against them, but 1t
was evident that 1t was the intention
of the attackers to take the foreigners
alive-to make them prisoners. but not
to harm them.
The launch cleared herself from the
swarming coolies, leaving wake of
broken heads and angry yelps.
With final effort Philip dealt a Wig
orous blow through tho darkness to
the man on his left. The coolie dou-
bled Imply. poised on tho gunwale and
then disappeared into the inky black
ness. AZ he struck the rail the boat
lurched and this sudden shock knock
ed the two remaining coolies from
their feet. and, with Jabbering shrleks,
they, too, vanished.
Then Philip turned his attention TO
Peter Cook. whose PROSTATE form he
could dlmly discern In the bottom Of
the boat.
He took small dark lantern from n
locker and turned Its ray on the face
of the boy.
Peter opened his eyes, bllnked and
stared curiously at Philip.
Are you all right. PeterT asked
Philip anxiously.
"Sure thing" said Peter brisllly as
he struggled to his feet and took the
wheel. 81 hope | wouldn't squenl for
a burned chink Whe-e-e. but that
fellow gave me clip! expect I'll
be dizzy the rest Of my life"
The lantern disclosed knob-like
bunch on the back Of the boys head.
81 am glad It's no worse" said Phil
ip as he dipped his handkerchief in
the water and applied It to the injured
spot whats that" he asked sharply.
THAT" was the crack Of revolver
and. together with the sharp spat Of
bullet I'm the water near by, testified
that they were still pursued.
They were dashlng through the wa
ter Mt top speed now and, aided by the
current, would soon be abreast of tho
foreign quarters Although the thick
fog still encircled them, the blurred
dimness OF houseboat lights along the
shore indicated that they were well in
the middle of the stream.
Suddenly dark shape doomed before
them. and the launch crashed into an
obstruction and then rebounded, only
TO flll Mt once and sink out OF sight.
Philip and the boy jumped at the In
slant Of impact, and when the launch
disappeared with Kissing gurgles be-
meath the rivers surface they sought
each other I'm the dimness and together
swan toward the shore.
II was Peter who first found foot.
ing and clambered up tho muddy bank.
"See where we are, STRIP he called.
Philip Newton reached his side and
looked down the winkiDg length Of the
lighted Bund Just beyond them was
Pundcrson's lefty from which they
had started n couple OF hours ago.
junk doomed out Of the night and
ieetered on the current
"She will 90 up the Yangzte tonight.
We will get her the next time" said
Philip grimly.
And they did
For Sale In Rockville