Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-16

while dozen hands dragged MIN
headlong into the ruck beneath. But
1t was only an instant. Before the
charging devils could pass me, huge
figure filed the vacant space, and the
butt of 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 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 wild
bull, and would have rushed on, but
for my grip on his shirt.
Get back, men ~ 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 a man, engaged in
touching flame to torch of hemp. It
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. It
was Manuels hand which had kindled
the light, and the first croak of his
voice told his purpose.
''Now you skulking cowards," he
yelled pointing forward, "do you see
what you are fighting? There are only
five men between you and the deck.
To hell with 'em! Come on! I'll show
you the wayp'
He leaped forward; but it was his
last step. sent the cleaver hurting
through the air. / know not how it
struck him, but he went down, his
last word Shrek, his arms flung out
in vain effort to ward off the blow.
Schmitt roared out Dutch oath, and
his gun, sent whirling 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.
tCVNhn WOW
watkins. The boats are ready. The
one forward has pushed off loaded.
The afterboat is alongside. There is
suchsa fog, sir, yer can't see two
fathomS from the ship. The girl is in
the boat, but LeVere amt. The mate
slipped out O. 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. / 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 it 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 I remained alone.
listening anxiously for some hostile
sound from below. Satisfied that the
lads were safely over the rail and the
decks clear, turned toward the shin's
side. AS | did so a yell reached nv
ears from the blackness below-the
hounds had found voice.
| ran through the fog in the direc-
ton the others had disappeared, and
had taken scarcely three steps when
collided against the form of man,
whose presence was not even noticed
until we came together. Yet he must
have been there expectant and ready.
for a quick knife thrust slashed the
front of my jacket, bringing a squirt of
blood as the blade was jerked back.
Even as my fingers gripped the uplift-
ed wrist, ere he could strike the sec
ond time, knew my antagonist. Z
knew also this was fight to the death.
TO be terminated before that unguard-