The Ely miner., 1915-11-12

tity of the tramp with his friend, Pro-
fessor Arnold. At the head of squad
of cavalry, Woodward and the tramp
dashed of.
Already on the qui vive, Elaine
heard the sound Of hoofbeats long
before the rest Of US crowded around
her. For the moment we all stood
ready to repel an attack from any
quarter.
But it was not meant for us. 1t was
Woodward at the head Of score or 80
of cavalrymen. With him rode a
tramp on horse which was strangely
familiar to me.
"Oh!" cried Elaine, there's the man
who saved mel"
AS they passed, the tramp paused a
moment and looked at us sharply. Al
though he carefully avoided Elaine's
eyes, fancied that only when he saw
that she was safe was he satisfied to
gallop off and rejoin the cavalry.
Around the old hotel, in every direc-
ton, Del Mars men were searching
for the tramp and Elaine, while in the
hotel another search was in progress.
Have you discovered anything"
asked Del Mar, entering.
mo, sir" they retorted.
."Confound it," swore Del Mar, go
ing upstairs again.
Here were also men searching.
Find anything?" he asked briefly.
mo luck" returned one.
Del Mar went on up to the top floor
and out through the open scuttle to
the roof. That's how he got away, all
right" he muttered to himself, then
looking up he exclaimed under his
breath, as his eye caught something
far off, "The deuce-whats that?"
Leaning down to the scuttie, he
called, "Jenkins-my field glasses
quick!"
One of his men handed them to him
and he adjusted them, gazing off in
tently. There he could see what
| looked like a squad of cavalry gallop.
| ing along, headed by an officer and q
| rough looking individual.
"Come-we must get ready for an
| attack"
In the laboratory-dining room his
men, recalled, hastily took his orders.
Each of them seized one of the huge
black rubber, newly completed gas
bombs and ran out, making for grove
near by.
Quickly as Del Mar had acted, it
was not done so fast but that the
troop of cavalry, as they pulled up on
the top Of hill and followed the d.
recting finger Of the tramp, could see
men running to the cover of the grove.
Forward" shouted Woodward.
AS if all were one machine, the men
and horses shot ahead, until they came
to the grove about the old hotel. There
they dismounted and spread out in a
semicircular order, advancing on the
grove. AS they did so, shots rang out
| from behind the trees. Del Mars men,
from the shelter, were firing at them.
But it seemed hopeless for the fugi-
tives.
Ready" ordered Del Mar, as the
cavalrymen advanced, relentless.
Each Of his men picked up one OF
the big black gas bombs and held 1t
high up over his head.
"Ccme on!" urged Woodward.
His men broke into charge on the
grove.
Threw them!" ordered Del Mar.
AS far as he could hurl it. each OF
the men sent one Of the black globes
hurting through the air. They fell
almost simultaneously, hong line OF
them, each breaking into thousand
bits. Instantly dense, greenish-yellow
fumes seemed to pour forth, envelop
ing everything. The wind which Del
Mar had carefully noted when he chose
the position in the grove, was blowing
from his men toward the only position
from which an attack could be made
successfully.
Against Woodward's men as they
charged it seemed as if a tremendous
slow-moving wall Of vapor were ad
vancing from the trees. 1t was only q
moment before it completely wrapped
them in its sitting, choking, suffocat
ing embrace. Some fell, overcome
Others tried to run, clutching fran
tically at their throats and rubbing
their eyes.
Get back-quick-till 1t rolls over,
choked Woodward.
Those who were able to doso picked
up their stupefied comrades and re
treated, as best they could, stumbling
blindly back from the fearful death
cloud Of chlorine.
Meantime, under cover OF this weird
defense, Del Mar and his men, theil
own faces covered and unrecognizable
in their breathing masks and goggles
dashed to one side with shout, and
disappeared, walking and running be
hind and even through the safety oi
their impregnable gas barrier.
More slowly we Of the hunt had fol
lowed Woodward's cavalry until, some
, distance off, we stood, witnessing and
wondering at the attack. To our ut
, ter amazement we saw them carrying
off their wounded and stupefied men
We hurried forward and gathered
about, Offering whatever assistance We
could to resuscitate them.
As Elaine and I helped, we saw the
unkempt figure Of the tramp borne iI
J and laid down. He was not com
pletely overcome, having had presence
of mind to tie handkerchief over his
nose and mouth.
Elaine hurried toward him with an
exclamation Of sympathy. Just recov
ering full consciousness, he heard her
With the greatest difficulty, he