The Dermott news., 1915-11-04


of cavalry, Woodward and the tramp
dashed off.
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 SO
OF cavalrymen. With him rode y
tramp on a 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 Elaines
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
Nc. sir" they retorted.
"Gonfound it" swore Del Mar, 60
ing upstairs again.
Here were also men searching.
Find anything?" he asked briefly.
NC luck" returned enc.
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 on. The deuce-what's that?"
Leaning down to the scuttle, he
called. "Jeukius-my field glasses
quick"
One of his men handed them to him
and he adjusted them. gazing OF In
tently. There he could see what
looked Ike 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 grove
near by.
Quickly as Del Mar had acted, II
was not done SO fast but that the
troop of cavalry. as they pulled up on
the top Of a hill and followed the d.
recting finger I the tramp, could see
men running to the cover Of the grove.
Forward" shouted Woodward.
As If all were one machine. thu men
and horses shot ahead, until they came
10 the grove about the old hotel. There
they GtsmJuated and spread out in
somicircular 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 fugt.
tiyes.
Ready" ordered Del Mar. as the
cayalrymen advanced, relentless. I
Each of his men picked up one Of
the big black gas bombs and held It
high UP over his head
Come on" urged Woodward
His men broke into a charge on tn.
grove.
Throw them" ordered Del Mar.
AS far as he could hurl 1t, 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 a thousand
bits Instantly dense, greenish-yellow
fumes seemed to pour forth. enveiop-
ing everything. Tho wind which Del
Mar had carefully noted when he chose
the position in the grove, was blowing
from his mon toward the only position
from which an attack could be made
successfully.
AEainst Woodward's men as they
charged it seemed as If a tremendous.
slow-moving wall of vapor we're ad-
vanciug from the trees. 1t was only q
moment before It completely wrapped
them in its sitting, choking. sufocat-
ing embrace. Some fell, overcome.
Others tried TO run. clutching fran
tically at their threats and rubbing
their eyes.
Get back-quick-till II rolls over.
Choked Woodward
Those who were able to do so picked
up their stupefed comrades and 10
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
walking and running he
hind and even through the safety or
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
off no 80