The Holly chieftain., 1916-04-21


tain FOx-a real fight"
"A fight! What. you alone!"
"Oh, NO: there are men enough In
this church to make 1t quite interest
ing. That is why I warn you've are
soldiers. not murderers."
What. you think that blu6 will
work."
Captain Fox" broke in Harwood
bluntly. his voice nervously sharp. Il
command Troop C. Third Kentucky
cavalry. This is no blum. sir. give
you fifteen minutes to withdraw your
men; at the expiration Of that time
We open fire."
The surprise. the shock Of this unex-
pected development and threat was
plainly evident I heard Fox step back
from the door and speak earnestly to
someone; Moran swore savagely.
What force have you?" he roared.
the insane question causing Harwood
to laugh outright.
Come and find out" he answered
mockingiy. Better go back to the
other end now, sergeant" he added in
lower voice. and gripped my hand.
"The ball is about to open. Where is
my lady cousin?"
Il put her ON guard over the pris-
oner. She will be out Of range there.
and have something to do."
"And gives you another fighting
mani see. Queer duck that preach
era bit Of knave. to my notion. and
one Of the finest liars l have ever
heard; he'll bear watching. All! our
friend the major has come to his
senses-look yonder! They are NOV
ing back out of range"
"Ayl and concentrating q heavier
body Of men this way"
"Of course; the first assault will be
from the front. Tell Wharton to
spare me two or three more men. and
send couple from your end. They may
make rush from all directions. but
the real fight will be here; they are
going to try US out, that is certain"
walked back to my station. The
line of men threatening this end of
the building had been drawn aside.
out of direct rife range. and seemed
to be grouped opposite each corner.
and were SO closely punched together
as to make any estimate Of their num-
bers impossible. They were only
shapeless shadows, with moonlight
cleaning from their weapons, and an
occasional voice breaking the ominous
silence. There remained nothing to
do but await their action, ready for
whatever might occur. passed along
the wall from man to man, assuring
myself each was at his station, with
loaded weapon. and well.fllled car
fridge belt. 4.s
"The fight will begin in 'front.'"
whispered, unable to distinguish faces,
"and no firing here until give the
word"
In the darker corner where the pris-
oner sat motionless against the log
wall, my eyes could distinguish moth
ing.
"Noreen."
"Yes." and she stood up. Couldn't
you see me?"
mot the faintest shadow. IL
wanted to thank you for the choice
you made"
You mean my coming with you7
You are glad did?"
Yes, very glad" l said earnestly,
FOR you are just as safe here, and
and would rather have you near me.
This may prove desperate struggle;
we are terribly outnumbered-and-
and, we'll, you know, you-you trusted
yourself to me-you are under my pro-
lection"
There was no answer; perhaps Il
had said too much. Suddenly a volley
roared out, startling in the Stiffness
a shout Of command-the sharp bark
OF carbines-then grim. threatening
yelp of voices. One leap brought me
to the window, with gun barrel thrust
forward across the sill. The two black
shadows were breaking up In headlong
rush toward the door at the south
corner. saw figures, not faces, q
cleaning OF poised weapons. a huddle
of leaping bodies.
"Ffre!" roared, my voice rising
above the hideous din. "Give 1t to
them!" and pulled trigger.
have no clear knowledge of what
followed-it was all SO quickly over
with: q mere mad moment crowded
with vague glimpses, vanishing and
changing in the lurid light of the
guns. The whole interior of the church
blazed and echoed. the smoke choking
us with its fumes, the noise stunning
our ears. heard the ohug of bullets