Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-28
CHAPTER xx-tContlnued) 1.

CHAPTER XX-CContinued).
TN THE beginning, almost with the echo Of
4 the first blow, there had come the sound
Of many feet spashing hurrledly over the
sodden ground within the incosure, together
with shouts and demands for information
a voice warned us to desist, and l remem-
Der thinking that Greer's watchmen were
acting out the roles he had written them
with rare artfulness
Hard upon these came an interruption
from outside
caught a stern and terse command of
Ere, now! wot's up?" followed by a
command to Clear out, every man Jack Of
you !"
There was authority in those tones
turned, and saw q constable peltng across
the street toward us. helmet shining
truncheon brandished over his head.
He came on with rush. and fell without
mercy upon the outer fringe of our men :
saw the truncheon strike out once or
twice, and heard the sounds of its impact
followed by hearty and fervent curses from
the recipients. And then, abruptly, there
was a little gust of laughter Shaking the
group. a fist, big and heavy. had shot
out above the shoulders Of the crowd and
caught the bobby squarey on the chin.
He went down likesa log, knocked uncon-
scious-as afterward discovered.
Sevrance swung about with a cry of
lmpatience and Just in time to see the
denouement
Hush that laughng!" he ordered tensely
adding. Gag that man. tie his hands, and
bring him along with us"
voice responded heartily AYE, aye,
sir " And l could see that his directions
were being carried out.
But stared at Sevrance in whole-souled
admiration. Here was a transformation
for your consideration: n steady going
Ill Ior
possessor Of an assured income and sworn
to uphold the laws of his land, abruptly
transfgured into a lawbreaker as bold as
fesourceful and as INSCRIPTIONS as any of
our associate rapscallions.
He was admirably In earnest at that
and quite absorbed in the execution. the
successful consummaton OF his project.
saw him throw hasty glance to the farther
side of the street, and, following his ex-
ample. was aware that the patrons of the
public houses had been aroused by the
racket
From the doorway Immediately opposite a
man emerged, turned. and called to those
within. They came piling out with WILL
and the group raced over the cobbles toward
us.
It was this that sevrance was observing.
and without favor
Keep together, men!' he cried, raising
his voice. Kick those fellows out of the
way and stick close to me. Come, now,
some Of you put shoulder to these gates" ="
In response a dozen sprang forward and
hurled themselves against the stout oaken
barrier. There was n crash, n chorus of
shouts from within, and the mob of us
surged through the opening, Sevrance and
Callahan leading.
Truly. Greer's hope that the affair would
seem the work of a rowdy band of thieves
was being realized to the last degree.
caught myself thinking that never n more
disorderly rabble had assembled in the
streets of yarmouth than this which 1 was
heading with Sevrance, my friend
The next instant, however. that happened
which gave n new color to my thoughts.
heard n swapping report ahead of us, saw
n flash Of flame athwart the darkness, and
felt the cold breath of bullet that winged,
kissing. past my cheek.
Good Lord!" gasped, aghast. in
Sevrances ear; Greer has played us
false !"
got no reply and deserved none; for
the truth of that observation was mo-
mentarlly becoming self-evident. We en-
countered in the course of the next few
moments a sturdy and unylelding resistance
from the yard watchmen.
To this day 1 believe that Greers heart
had failed him at the last moment thatNhe
had concluded to let the AFFAIR take its
course without further aid from him. Ger
tainly, his instructions for submission, II
actually issued to the watchmen, went
totally dsregarded The men stood their
ground nobly. according to their conception
of their duty and gave us battle without
the least hesitation.
But the fellows behind US were not of
the sort to be deferred by such an obstacle.
and, moreover. they outnumbered the
watchmen six to one. They rushed upon
them, growing with rage, evidently without
n thought of retreating before that show of
force.
Fortunately. for the time being, they
themselves were without arms else, fear,
more than one of those worthy and loyal
watchmen had been shot down that night.
AS II was, they put UP resistance stin
enough to cause a considerable delay, and
were only overcome by force of numbers
and at the cost OF three of our men, who
we're slightly wounded in the welcoming
fusillade.
That obstacle disposed OF. however.
clear path lay before u.s. As much could
not now be said of the rear. for the loafers
of the district were assembling and pour