Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-09-10

eFlHeIeSS dealt the fellow blow which
hurled him back into the arms of the
man behind. l saw nothing else in de-
tail, the faint light barely revealing in
distinct figures and CLEAN of steel. Ii
was pandemOnium of blows and
yells, strange faces appearing and dis
appearing, as men leaped desperately
at US up the steps, and we beat them
remorselessly back. saw nothing
more OF Manuel in the fray, but his
shriH voice urged on his fellows. 1t
was strike and parry, cut and thrust
Twice | kicked my legs free from
hands that gripped me and DeLas-
ser fell, pike thrust through him.
who took his place l never knew, but
a stout fighter the lad was, welding
his cutlass viciously. so that we held
them, with dead men littering every
step to the cabin deck.
But they We're of a breed trained to
such fighting, and the lash of Manuel's
tongue drove them into mad reckless
ness. And there seemed no end of
them, sweeping up out of those black
shadows, with bearded or lean brown
savage faces. charging over the dead
bodies. hacking and gouging in vain
effort to break through. l struck until
my arms ached. until my head reeled
scarcely conscious of physical ac1ion,
yet aware of Manuers shouts.
"NOw you hell-hounds-now once
ria you've got to go through, DULLES
there is no other way to the deck.
Rush 'em! That's the way! Here
you-go in outside the rail! Broth of
hell ! Now you have him, Pedro!"
For an instant I believed it true; I
saw Jim Carter seized and hurled side
ways. his cutlass clashing as it fell,
while a dozen hands dragged him
headlong into the ruck beneath. But
it was only an instant. Before the
charging devils could pass me, a huge
figure filled the vacant space, and the
butt of a gun crashed into the mass.
1t was the Dutchman, Schmitt, fight
ing like a demon, his strength that of
an OK. They gave way in terror be-
fore him, and we went down battering
our way, until the stairs were clear to
the deck. except for the dead under
foot. When we stopped, not a fight
ing man was left within the sweep of
our arms. They scurried back into the
darkness like so many rats, and we
could only stare about blindly, cursing
them, as we endeavOred to recover
breath. Schmitt roared like a wild
bull, and would have rushed on. but
for my grip on his shirt.
"Get back, men :" l ordered sharply.
"There may be fifty of them yonder.
Our only chance is the stairs"
We flung the bodies on one side. and
formed again from rail to rail. Below
us there was noise enough, a babel Of
angry voices, but no movement of as
sault. What they would do next was
answered by blaze of light, revealing
the silhouette of man, engaged in
touching flame to a torch of hemp. 1t
flung forth a dull yellow flare, and re-
vealed a scene of horror. Our assail-
ants were massed halfway back. Be
tween us, even ten feet from the
stairs, the deck was Uttered with
bodies, CHASTITY faces staring up. with
black stains of blood everywhere. 1t
was Manuel's hand which had kindled
the light, and the first croak of his
voice told his purpose.
NOW you skulking towards" he
yelled pointing forward, "do you see
what you are fighting? There are only
five men between you and the deck.
To hell with EN-! Come on! I'll show
you the way!"
He leaped forward; but 1t was his
last step. | sent the cleaver hurting
through the air. l know not how it
struck him. but he went down, his
last word a shrek, his arms flung out
in vain effort to ward off the blow.
Schmitt roared out a Dutch oath. and
his gun, sent whiring above me.
crashed into the uplifted torch. Again
it was black night, through which the
eye could perceive nothing. Even the
noise ceased, but hand gripped my
shoulder.
"Who are you?"
watkins. The boats are ready. The
one forward has pushed off loaded.
The afterboat is alongside. There is
such a fog. sir, yer can't see two
fathoms from the ship. The girl is in
the boat, but LeVere amt. The mate
slipped out G sight in the fog. He's
somewhere aboard"
Never mind him; the fellow can do
no harm now. Move back slowly lads.
Schmitt and I will be the last ones
out"
We closed the companion door as
silently as possible and for the mo-
ment there was no sound from within
to show that our cautious withdrawal
had been observed. l stared about. but
was able to perceive little beyond the
small group awaiting my orders. The
fog chung thick and heavy On all sides.
and il was impossible for the eve TO
penetrate to either rail. Fortunately
there was no weight of sea running.
There is nothing more to keep US
aboard lads. Stow yourselves away
and hang on; I'll wait here until you
are all over"
They faded away into the mist, dim
spectral figures. and remained alone,
listening anxiously for some hostile
sound from below. Satisfied that the
lads were safely over the rail and the
decks clear, I turned toward the ships
side. As l did so a yell reached my
ears from the blackness belOw-the