The state herald., 1913-03-14
COPYRIGHT AcncLune g. co. 1911

| tne rear uOOr, COnIuSeu db " Wh"e
had occurred, yet shouting fiercely.
poured Fagin's wolves. seeking trou-
BILE. They were wild, rough-looking
lot, ill-dressed, 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
heard Jones below Of command. and
Grants nasal voice profanely ordering
them to come on. With us there re-
mained no choice; we must fight 1t
out where we were. regardless Of num-
bers.
Fire! you damned fools-ire!"
roared Jones, and there was crash
ing of guns. the dense smoke swirling
went sprawling; another behind gave
vent to 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 1t.
We were upon the fellows with a
rush, firing in their very faces, and
| iSaPih6 dt NaS
little room between the walls. barely
space for a balf-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 1t was all confusion, up
roar. deadly fighting. | could think
OF nothing to right or left. only OF the
| SfrttUUlinp hnyi1c In, INV EanaG
forms, came and vanished in the swirl
of smoke. brown gun-barrels whirled
before me, flashes of fire burned my
eyes. strange features, bearded, malig
nant, glared at me. ] leaped straight
at them, striking tiercely. Once saw
Grant, and aimed 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 oni We're
driving them!"
A yard. two yards, lhree-beyond
! hht apoA "hNic thS ihNh huu sHtapNd
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. could see nothing of Jones.
but l heard him. raging like a fend
Now, you ours. now!" he stormed.
you cowardly scum-perhaps you'll
fight when you can't runl What are
you afraid Of? There's only handful.
you can chew 'em up. II you Will Push
EN- back. there! Push 'em back!"
With 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 n tangle OF arms. a tumble
OF faces. They we're 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. My
Dragons had their sabres out, and
stood to II like men. the steel blades
dripping as they tasted blood. But
killing one only brought new man to
the front. One does not see so much
us feel In such tumble. Yet knew
we were worsted. outnumbered. They
camo at us like battering ram.
saw the sergeant shot through the
forehead; ! saw Eric go down beneath
crushing stroke. and roll under my
feet. stepped on bodies. fighting for
my own life rs I never fought before
Somewhere I had gripped 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 "a
clear my brain. began to distinguish
voices. to notice faces. heard Gran,
yell safely in the rear; I heard Jones
roar. ITO hell with 'cml To hell with
'cml" Out OF the murk OF STRUGGLING
figures ] made out his black beard
the g,sam OF yellow fangs. and ionped
toward him. striking men down until
was able to swing at his head. He
went over like stricken OK under a
butchers NJ, knocking aside two mer
ns he fell. II gave mo chance "a
spring out OF the melee.
ITO the stairs. mcni Tho stairsi'
] cried. we can hold them thcre,'
cannot describe now how we mad,
Il. but we did. | only know Tom and
] held tho rear. sweeping circles oi
death with our whirlins gun.barrcls
falling back step by step m we fought
A. last felt the bottom stairs with
my foot. and heard voice shout.
J Come up. sirl Wen hold om nowl'
Then was above tho heads OF the
J mob. gripping tho rail. and aobbing fol
bronth. There followed n moments
walt. nm instant OF hchltanoy. I bogar
TO sec and feel once more Below ~
J the hall was jammed with men, &c
closely pressed together M 10 be nj