The Monticellonian., 1915-10-21

Already on the qui vive, Elaine hoard inc sound of hoofbeats long before the rest of us crowded arouha her For the moment We all stoou ready to repel an attack rom an' quarter. T. ,,as
 Rut it was net mean' for us. II was Woodward at the head uf a score or so If cavalrvmen. With him rooe tramp on a horse which was strange" familiar to me.
 "Obr, cried Elaine, there's the man who saved me!
 As they passed. the tramp pauSeu moment and looked at us shafpiy. Ar though he carefully avoided Elaine eyes I fancied that only when ne Sd" that she was safe was he satisheu 'o gallop of and rejoin the cavalry
 Around the old hotel, i'll every u,Iee. rec. lion. Del Mars men were searchins for the tramp and Elaine. while ih tHe hotel another search was in progress, a,
 Have you discovered anything asked Del Mar, entering
 NO, sir" they retorted.
 "Confound it" swore Del Mar eo- ing upstairs again. ,,z
 Here were also men searching. Find anything?" he asked briefly
 No luck returned one.
 Del Mar went on up to the top hoor and out through the open seuttle to the roof That's how be got away all right he muttered to himself, then locking I'D he exclaimed under hls breath. as his eye caught something far off. "The deuce-what's that%
 Leaning down to the scuttle' ne called, "Jenkins-my field glasses quick@ ,-
 Che of his men handed them to him and he adjusted them, gazing of in tently. There he could see what looked like a squad of cavalry galloP= ing along. headed by an officer and a 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, 1t was not done so fast but that the troop of cavalry. as they pulled up on the top of hill and followed the di- reeting 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 semicireular 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. tiYes
 Ready" ordered Del Mar, as the cavaIrymen advanced, relentless.
 Each of his men picked up one Of the big black gas bombs and held it high up over his head
 Come onl" 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 hurling through the air. They fell almost simultaneously a long line of them, each breaking into a 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 tremendous slow-moying wall of vapor were ad vancing from the trees It was only a moment before it completely wrapped them in it's stifling, choking, suffocat ing embrace. Some fell. overcome Others tried to run, clutching fran tically at their threats and rubin, | their eyes.
 Get tback-quick-till 1t rolls over, choked Woodward.
 Those who were able to do so pickel up their stupefied comrades and re treated. as best they could, stumbling l blindly back from the fearful deatl cloud of chlorine.
 Meantime, under cover of this weir defense, Del Mar and his men, thei own faces covered and unrecognizab bl in their breathing masks and goggles dashed to one side with shout, ant disappeared, walking and running be hind and even through the safety 0 their impregnable gas barsier.
 More slowly we of the hunt had fol lowed Woodward's cavalry until, som distance off, We stood, witnessing ant wondering at the attack. To our ut ter amazement we saw them carryini off their wounded and stupefied men We hurried forward and gathere about, offering whatever assistance W could to resuscitate them.
 As Elaine and helped, we saw tn unkempt figure of the tramp borne f and laid down. He was not con pletely overcome, having had presence of mind to tie handkerchief over hi nose and mouth.
 Elaine hurried toward him with al exclamation of sympathy. Just recoy ering full consciousness, he heard her
 With the greatest difficulty, h seemed to summon some reserve fore l not vet used He strneplnd tn hir foo