The Ordway new era., 1915-11-05

QaBneu on.
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. II was
Woodward at the head of score or SO
Of cavalrymen. With him rode q
tramp ON q horse which was strangely
familiar to me.
"Oh!" cried Elaine, there's the man
who saved mel"
As they passed. the tramp paused
moment and looked at US sharply. Al
though he carefully avoided Elaine's
eyes, l fancled that only when be saw
that she was safe was he satisfied to
gallop of and rejoin the cavalry.
Around the old hotel. in every direc-
tion, Del Mars men were searching
for the tramp and Elaine. while In the
hotel another search was in progress.
Have you discovered anythingT
asked Del Mar. entering.
mo. SIR" they retorted.
"Confound it," swore Del Mar, 60
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 of. THE deuce-what's that?"
Leaning down to the scuttle. he
called, "Jenkins-my field glasses
Quick!"
One of his men handed them to him
and he adjusted them. gazing on In
tently. There he could see what
looked like a squad Of cavalry gallop-
ing along, headed by an officer and
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 a grove
near by.
Quickly as Del Mar had acted. 1t
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 II all we're 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
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 1t seemed hopeless for the fugi.
tlves.
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.
Come on!" urged Woodward.
His men broke into a charge on the
grove.
Throw 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, a long line of
them, each breaking into Il 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.
Agains, Woodward's men as they
charged it seemed as II a tremendous,
sow-moving wall of vapor were ad-
vancing from the trees. 1t was only a
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-til it rolls over"
choked Woodward.
Those who were able to do SO 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, their
own faces covered and unrecoGnizable
in their breathing masks and goggles.
dashed to one side with a shout. and
disappeared, walking and running be-
hind and even through the safety Of
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 helped, we saw tho
unkemnt fiyure of the tramn horne in