Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1915-07-29
CHAPTER xI-Continued.

The unfortunate girl whom l vas
there to rescue drew back in fright
against the wall for a single second,
then, seeing that | had closed with the
hulking fellow, she sprang forward,
and with both hands seized the gun
and attempted to wrest it from him.
His fingers had lost the trigger, and he
was trying to regain it to fire and so
raise the alarm. | saw this, and with
an old trick learned at Uppingham |
tripped him, SO that he staggered and
nearly fell.
An oath escaped him, yet in that mo-
ment Elma succeeded in twisting the
gun from his sinewy hands, which |
now held with a strength begotten of a
knowledge of my imminent peril. He
was huge and powerful, with a
strength far exceeding my own, yet l
had been reckoned a good wrestler at
Uppingham, and now my knowledge of
that most ancient form Of combat held
me in good stead. He shouted for help,
his deep, hoarse voice sounding along
the stone corridors.
AS we were struggling desperately,
the English girl slipped past us with
the carbine in her hand, and with a
quick movement dragged open the
heavy door that gave exit to the lake.
] heard a splash, and saw that Elma no
longer held the sentry's weapon in
her hands. Then at the same moment
I heard a voice outside cry in a low
tone; Courage, excellency! Courage!
/ will come and help you"
1T was the faithful Finn, who had
been awaiting me in the deep shadow,
and with a few strokes pulled his boG4
up TO the narrow rickety ledge OUTSIDE
afhe door.
Take the lady!" l succeeded in
gasping in Russian. Never mind
me" and | saw to my satisfaction that
he guided Elma to step into the boat,
which at that moment drifted past the
little platform,
I struggled valiantly, but l vas SLOW
iy being vanquished. Mine was a fight
for life. A sudden idea flashed across
my mind, and | continued to struggle,
at the same time gradually forcing my
enemy backward towards the door. He
tcNrsed and swore and shouted until,
with a sudden and almost superhuman
effort, | tripped him, bringing his head
into violent contact with the stone
Intel of the door.
There was the sound of the crash.
ilAg of wood as the rotten platform
gave way, a loud splash, and he sank
like a stone, for although | stood
watching for him to rise, | could only
distinguish the woodwork floating
away with the current.
AS / stood there in horror at my
deed Of self-defense. the place sudden
ly sesounded with shouts of alarm, ant
in the tower above me the great ole
rusty bell began to swing, ringing Its
hrazen note across the broad expanst
of waters. Behind me in the passage
4 saw a Light and the glitter of arms
a shot rang out, and a bullet whizzeC
past me. Then I jumped, and nearl!
upset the boat, but taking an oar | be
gan to row for life, and as we drew
away from those grim, black walls tn,
fire belched forth from three rifles.
Again the guards fred upon us, blu
in the darkness their aim was faulty
Lights appeared in the high window
of the castle, and we could see tina
the greatest commotion had bee,
caused by the escape of the prisoner
The men at the door in the tower wer
shouting to the patrol boats, calm
them to row us down and capture vi
Shut by plying our oars rapidly we she
straight across the lake until we &c