Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-08-13
rise up into the moonlight.

rise up into the moonlight.
My heart gave a leap as he quickly
raised his right arm and hurled some
thing as far as he could in the direc-
ton that Kennedy had taken.
stole out from my own hiding
place in the shadow of my rock and
darted quickly to the shelter of q
bush. nearer the figure.
It turned to steal away.
i leaped at him and he went down,
rolling over and over in the under.
brush and stubble.
I and after tough tussle he broke
loose. But l had succeeded, never
theless. / had delayed him just long
enough. Kennedy heard the sound Of
the struggle and was now crashing
through the hedge at the crossroads
in our direction.
/ managed to pick myself up, Just
as Kennedy reached my side, and, to-
gether, We followed the retreating
figure as it made its way among the
shadows. Across the open space be-
fore us We followed him and at last
saw him dive into an old barn.
A moment later we followed hot
foot into the barn. AS We entered,
We could hear a peculiar grating
noise, as though a door was swung
open. Evidently the man had gone
through and closed the back door.
We threw ourselves against the
back door. But it did not yield. There
was no time to waste and We turned
to rush out again by the way we
came, just as the front door was
| slammed shut.
The man had trapped US.
We could hear his feet crunching
the dry leaves and twigs as he went
around the side of the barn again.
Suddenly the pale silver of the
moonlight on the floor Redeemed.
The man had struck a match and
| thrown H. into q mass of oil-soaked
straw and gunpowder which protruded
through one of the weather-beaten
boards, near the floor.
For a second looked dismayed at
the rapidly mounting flames.
"A very pretty situation" forced
with a laugh. But l hope he doesn't
think Wen stay here and burn. with
a perfectly good window in fun view"
took a step toward the window, but
before l could take another, Kennedy
yanked me back.
| Don't think for q moment that he
| overlooked tnat, ne shouted.
Craig looked around hastily. In q
corner, lust back of Us, was q long
pole He snatched it up and moved
| cautiously toward the window.
! Keep back. Walter" he muttered
'1ust as far as you can
He nad scarcely raised the window
I fraction Of an inch when an old,
rusty, neavy anvil and a bent, worn
piowshare crashed down to the floor
directly over the spot where 1 should
have been if he had not dragged me
away.
7 think you may try it safely now,
all rignt," smiled Kennedy coolly.
We climbed out of the window, not
| an instant too soon.
Having gained the clump of woods,
the gaunt figure had paused long
enough to gloat over his clever
scheme. Instead, he saw US making
| good our escape With a gesture of
intense fury he turned. There was
| nothing more for him to do but to
| zigzag his way to safety across coun.
try.
Kennedy did not pause an instant
longer, but in the light of the burn
ing barn, as best he could, started to
follow the trail in q desperate en-
deavor either to overtake Long Sin
or at least to find the final direction
in which he would 60.
At the entrance Of the passageway
which led to the little underground
chamber in which we had sought the
treasure hidden by the Clutchine
Hand, WI Fang was seated on a roch
waiting impatiently. though now and
then indulging IN a sinister smile al
the subtle trick by which he had re
covered the ring.
The sound of approaching foot
steps disturbed him. He was far toe
clever to leave anything to chance
and like a serpent, he wriggled behint
another rock and waited. 1t was onl!
a glance, however. that he needed tt
allay his suspicious. It was Long Sin
breathless.
WI stepped out beside him so quiet
ly that even the acute Long Sin di'
not hear. "Well?" he said in a gut
tural tone.
Long Sin drew back in fear. g
have failed. oh, MASTER" he replied II
an imploring tone. Even now the.
are following my tracks"
WI frowned. I'VE must work quick
ly, then" he muttered.
He picked up dark lantern near by
indicating another to Long Sin. The,
entered the cave, flashing the light
ahead Of them.
BE careful" ordered WI, proceed
ing gingerly from one stepping ston
} to another I'VE shall be followed n
further than this"
J He paused moment and pointed hi
finger at the earth. Everywhere, el
cept here and there where a ston
projected, was sticky. Shiny sui
, stance. 1t was an old trick Of prim
, tive races.
They passed on from stone to ston
} until they came to the subterranea
|, / oh N, hor ;tco1R