The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-10-16
CHAPTER xii-Continued.

NO, It's over there, and am afraid
4 didn't touch him either; 1t was all so
sudden / got no aim. Do you hear
those voices? There must be a dozen
OF the band outside already"
He looked up at her, his glance al
most vacant. and she could but per-
ceive how his chin shook.
What shall we do?"
DO" She grpped his shoulder.
Are you man and ask that? We
will fight! Did you imagine I would
ever surrender myself into the hands
of that devil after what has hap
pened3 / would rather die; yes, I
will die before he ever puts hand on |
me. And what about you, Mr.. Caven-
dish? Are you going to lie there mop
ing? Answer mel thought you were |
a gentleman"
The words were like blow in his
face, and under their sting he stag
gered to his feet; scarlet blazed in
both his cheeks.
you have no right to say that to
me- he said angrily. "I'm not that
kind"
81 know it," she admitted, but you
lose your nerve; this isn't your game.
Well, ii isn't mine either, for the mat
ter of that. Nevertheless it has got
to be played, and we're going to play
1t together. Those fellows Will be at
that doar presently-juSt as soon as
Mendez tells them who are inside here.
They'll rry US once and. if we can beat
them back, that will give us breath
ing spell. Two Of us ought to hold
them for some time"
There was a shouting Of commands
without in Spanish, punctuated by
oaths, the meaning of which the giri
alone understood. She leaned for
ward, her eyes on the door, the cooked
revolver held ready. She had meant
what she said to Cavendish; to her
mind death was far preferable to any
surrender to that Infatuated Mexic;tn;
she expected death, but one hope YET
buoved her up--Westcott. He would
come: she had faith in that-and ne
would find she had fought to the end,
even If he came too late. She buried
her face in her hands, sitting a SOD
that shook her body. yet when she lift
ed her head again there was no gilm-
mer of tears in her eyes and her
checks were crimson. She waited mo-
tionless, scarcely seeming to breathe
tho statue of a woman at bay.
All this was but for moment, mo-
ment of swift thought. OF equally swi1l
decision. The next Cavendish stood
beside her, graspinS the shotgun, nc
longer victim of weakness. his eyes
meeting hers eagerly.
81 could only find twelve cartridges.
he exclaimed, "but know how to use
those"
He took step forward and held on
his hand. !,
"Forgfve me, Miss Donovan n
pIeaded. Really do not know VIVA
makes me like that, but you woul'
make man out Of anybody"
Her firm. slim fingers met his eager
iy. her eyes instantly glowing IN al
probation.
..of course l forgive you" she ex
claimed. your fear Is no create
Than nv own. l am woman an
drea.. ...is sort of thing. All that give
me- courage is the knowledge tina
daatb is preferable to dishonor," ne
voice lost its firmness, "and-and III
faith in man.. :,
"you mean in possible rescue?''
Her eyes lifted to his face.
eyes. Mr.. Cavendish. 1t may prov
an Imagination, yet there is one
reaI man, am sure-who must kno
If NV plight before this. # he doe
ard lives. he will come to ne. II
can only defend ourselves f'ng enoue
there will be rescue"
A blow struck the outer door, al
was repeated, evidently dealt py u
butt of a gun; then the two stanaii
s,,ont and almost GREATNESS witni
heard Mendez' voice.
"Senorita, and you also, Senior "a
andIsh.n he called, his words intend'
to he conciliatory. ''It is Of no use IN
Won resist. We are many and arme
r. you surrender and not ngnt ple''
you protection.
The girl glanced at Cavendish.
aYou answer him."
"What shall say? he whispereo'
..rhe man lies; he will Eeep
o,n;se once we are in his power I
l,sos thew have not yet found Caters
when they do there will be no :hous
Of mercy" -,
" .srhen we will fight it out?"
Il shall; will never give mss
49, tho hands of that creature.
.senor" and Cavendish stepI
lido to the protection of the logs,
will; not surrender. That IS QUIZ
sroolsw he called back ms vo
.,s,rc harsh above the growing
n.hers 1--WE will show you. 81, :,
Telirr quick now; do what .o, aoy >
We win teach these Americana sHa,t u uus
lesson. No, stand back! wait UNI
4 faint glimmer Of Ign. ,. '@ raS
Y 90 ~ the log crevices causn. 0a'
one VI Wv ko0f down.