The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-05-07
CHAPTER XIV.
A Struggle Underground

ward without noise; nor, II succeed
ed, would be any better on with him
still blocking the passage7 There was
nothing for II then but to come to hand
grips. But the fellow. whoever he
might be-whether white OF Indian
was doubtless armed, while I was
weaponless. To get him right was a
desperate chance, yet a chance which
must be taken. Fortunately I had him
located. his heavy breathing being I'M
mistakable, and evidence also that the
man remained unaware of my pres
ence. ] shifted one foot forward to
get firmer purchase. and then grasped
for him through the darkness. My
hand came In contact with a shoulder;
then gripped a mass OF long hair. He
gave vent to a sudden cry. startled, al
most inhuman In It's witness, strug-
Cling backward so quickly my other
hand closed on air. But held hard TO
what ! had. dragged OF my balance.
feeling his fingers after my throat.
There was no room for us to do other
wise than claw at each other. After
that first cry neither Of us uttered a
sound. but closed in on him, getting a
stronger grip. He was a man. q white
man, for he wore a rough coat, and his
face was covered with q growth OF
straggly, coarse whiskers. Enemy or
friend I could not be sure, nor did I
ind opportunity to discover. We both
fought like beasts, resorting to teeth
and nails. He was seemingly not q
large man, but why and muscular. His
very lack OF size was an advantage in
that narrow space; besides I was
weakened by loss OF blood, and with
every movement my wound hurt.
His one object was to wrench him.
self loose. but my fortunate grip on
his hair foiled this effort Yet both
his hands were free, the one clutching
my throat: but, In those first breath
less seconds, could not locate the
other. He was lying on his side, with
right arm underneath. Fearful OF q
weapon, ] let the fellow gouge at my
throat with long ape-like fingers,
while I struggled fiercely to expose the
hidden hand. II 1t proved empty I
Il
possessed the strength to draw him to
me. to crush him into subsection with
In the wise Of my arms. StYaining
every muscle ! could bring into play,
i succeeded in forcing him over onto
his face. But he was q cat, wiry, full
OF tricks. In some manner he twirled
his arm out OF my grip. There was q
-
across my eyes, an awful report, like
an explosion in ny stunned ears.
Where the bullet went / will never
know, but | saw the mans face leap
out at me from the darkness-tust an
instant Of reflection. as though thrown
against q screen by some sash OF light
the unmistakable face of q negro.
And his was a hideous visage; the
memory OF II fingers with me yet.
Swift as II appeared and vanished In
that burst OF flame, l shall never for
get the glare OF the man. eyes, the
malignant snRrl OF the open lips, the
teeth cruel and snag-like and the yell
held some foul fiend Of hell In my grip.
Yet startled as l was by this appan-
ton, his view Of me had no less an ef-
feet. Even in that single instant Of
revealment. the hate in his eyes
changed to fear, to uncomfortable
panic; his lips gave vent to a wild cry,
an exclamation In mongrel French.
and before could stiffen In resistance,
or recover from my own shock. the fell
low flung his pistol at me, and jerked
frsA The nying weapon tore . cash
In my scalp, but his haste and fear
proved his own undoing. Half stunned
as ] was by the blow, ! heard him
spring to his feet, the dull crash OF his
head as he struck the hardwood slab
of the low roof. and then the thud OF
body on the tunnel floor. In his
haste, his desperation, his strange
fright. he had forgotten where he was.
and attempted to spring erect. My
head reeled, the blood from this new
cut trickling down my cheek. The ne
gro lay motionless In the darkness; l
could not even distinguish his breath
ing, although | hestiated, listening in
tently, half fearing some trick.
What had frightened the fellow 30?
What had brought that look OF insane
terror into his eyes? II was as II he
stared at a ghost, the very sight OF
which had crazed him. ! mastered my
own nerves, and crept forward along
the passage, feeling blindly in advance
with one outstretched hand. until II
came In contact with the mans figure.
He lay full length on the tunnel floor,
and had to find my way over him TO
reach his head. II was difficult to
touch him, TO place my fingers against
his flesh. The memory OF those snarl-
ing, wolfish lips, and that yellow skin.
caused me to shrink from direct con-
tact. Yet | must assure myself.
could not leave the man lying there.
possibly TO recover consciousness and
do injury. OF one thing was assured
this French negro could be no friend
With clinched teeth, touched the
coarse hair with my fingers; then the
forehead The flesh retained some
warmth; yet the feeling was not nat
ural-it seemed lifeless. For the in
slant this appeared impossible Why,
he did IL himself; he crashed his own
skull against the slab. Yet could not