Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-11-19

of cavalry, Woodward and the tramp
dashed 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 1t was net mean for us. 1t was
Woodward at the head 1T score or 30
of cavalrymen. With him rode q
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 q
moment and looked at US sharply. AL.
though he carefully avoided Elaine's
eyes, l fancied that only when he saw
that she was safe was he satisfied to
gallop OF 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, 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. al
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 q squad Of cavalry gallop-
ing along, headed by an oficer 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, 1t
was not done SO fast but that the
troop of cavalry. as they pulled up on
the top Of q hill and followed the d.
recting finger of the tramp. could sec
men running to the cover of the grove.
Forward" shouted Woodward.
As II 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 q
semicircular order. advancing on the
grove. As they did 50, shots rang out
from behind the trees. Del Mars men.
from the shelter. were firing at them.
But 1t seemed hopeless for the fugi-
tives.
Ready" ordered Del Mar, ~ 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 ont" urged woodward.
His men broke into . charge on the
grove.
Throw them!" ordered Del Mar.
As far as he could hurl II, each OF
the men sent one of the black globes
hurting through the air. They fell
almost simultaneously. q long 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.
Agains. Woodward's men as they
charged 1t seemed a. II q tremendous.
slow-moving wall Of vapor were I'D.
vancing from the trees. It was only .
moment before 1t completely wrapped
them in its sitting, choking. suffocat-
ing embrace. Some fell. overcome.
Others tried to run, clutching fran
tically 1t their Threats and rubbing
their eyes.
Get back-quick-till 1t rolls over. -
choked Woodward.
Those who were able to do 20 picked
up their stupened comrades and r..
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 . shout. and
disappeared. walking and running b.
hind and even through the safety Of
their impregnable gas barber.
More slowly We Of the hunt had fol.
lowed Woodward's cavalry until. some
distance Oh, we stood. witnessing and
wondering at the attack. To our ut
ter amusement We saw them carrying
OF their wounded and stupefed men
We hurried forward and gathered
about. Offering whatever assistance w
could to resuscitate them.
As Elaine and I helped, We saw the
unkempt figure Of the tramp borne ID
and laid down. He was not com
pletely overcome. having had presence
Of mind to tie . handkerchief over hid
nose and mouth.
Elaine hurried toward him with On
exclamation Of sympathy. Just recov'