The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-03

Top VI Lue wall anu uunE themselves on
him. The men We're as agile as cats
and would infsllibly have knitted him
had he not used the revolver which
the consul had SO fortunately thrust
into his hand. His assailants were
compelled to drop a good fourteen feet,
and the momentary pause ere they
scrambled into q combined attack gave
Watson seconds respite, which he
promptly utilized by shooting two OF
them dead. The third, a Chinaman,
ran for his life, and the American de-
cided not to waste ammunition, but
keep his bullets for range at which
time they were bound TO be effective.
The shooting, coupled with his re-
iterated demand for admission, at last
bestirred the functionaries inside, and
the gate opened slowly Watson strobe
up to the man whom he knew was in
charge of the post.
"You keepee that gate open alice
time-savee!" he shouted, driving home
the order with a punch In the jaw
that sent the Chinaman raeling against
the wall
1t would have been fatal In that cri-
sis to display the least hesitation or do
other than assume that his command
would be obeyed without demur So,
literally taking his life in his hands,
he strobe on without turning his head
and (such Is the influence of unfinch-
ing purpose On the oriental mind pass
ed unscathed through a crowd which
could not only have torn him to pieces,
but would have asked no better amuse
ment. Thenceforth, though scowled at
increasingly and threatened not once,
but hundred times, Wstson's resolute
bearing, aided, no doubt, by the revolv
er which he carried openly, brought
him in safety to the quarters occupied
by the American marines.
Here he had pleasant surprise.
Major Cameron met him, having al
ready transferred the Chinese regulars
from their camp.
"Geer' cried the American. "Pm
glad to find you on the job, major! I've
had more than my share Of luck in
getting to this point. I don't believe /
would have won out as far as your en-
campment."
The English officer smiled.
well, you see," he drawled, tiny
fellows are not acquainted with gat-
lings, and 1 thought that this quiet
afternoon would offer a FIRST rate op-
portunity to teach them something
about the guns action. SO, as it hap
pens, you will find both your guns in
readiness and every spare magazine
chargedw =
Good for your grinned the Ameri-
can. But now comes the hardest part
of the push. We've got to reach the
consulate"
as that an order" inquired the ma
jor calmly.
Eyes, SIR
Cameron barked at squad Of stodd
faced Cinnamon In uniform, and an
American noncormissioned officer
emitted some equally weird sounds
which brought two smart gun crews
to attention. Without an instant's de-
lay and In formation already planned
the march began.
The marines and Chinese soldiers
closed up in front Of and around the
guns. At first they met with little real
resistance and troubled neither to shoot
nor fix bayonets,. but simply dubbed
their rides and broke a few of the
more obstreperous heads. In this fash
ion they quickly neared the city gate.
More strenuous measures became
necessary there. Some sort of word
had gone around that the Junction Of
the two parties of whites must be pre-
vented, and sharp fight took place at
that point, when 1t became necessary
to empty magazines and drive home
bayonets. But the men at the guns
never slackened their pace. The de-
tachment carried itself as though it
were Greek phalanx, phalanx that
shot and stabbed increasingly from it's
fringes. but seemed to move forward
irresist1bly by sheer weight OF its solid
center.
Limbs and faces had been slashed, of
course. Many Of the rioters ewere so
wild eyed with fanatical fury that
they stood their ground and did not
heed the death coming swiftly upon
them until bullet or steel had done its
work. At times, then, last despair
ing scimitar stroke would reach the
avenger, and sun Drowned cheek or
bare arm would suddenly assume
deeper tint.
BY the Lord" gasped Watson, "we'll
be only just in time"
Cameron said nothing. He did not
even increase the pace. 1t was vitality
essential that the men should not be
exhausted when they brought the guns
into action. Nevertheless. on the face
of things. there was every reason for
hurry, almost for despair.
Mr.. Clark had marshaled his tiny
cohort on the interior and elevated
slope Of the sunken wall which sur
rounded the consulate grounds. Here
he was making what might easily be-
come the last stand Of short but hard
fought defense. For how could a
hundred hope to prevail against ten
thousand? Hitherto the conscious su-
periority Of the west alone had kept
the east at|bay Time and again the
defenders took heavy toll of their as
sailants, the mob beast as often gather
ed itself for fresh assault, and at
last, just as the troops entered the COM
pound, swept over the crest Of the wall
and seemingly carried the position with
q rush.