The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-11-13
CHAPTER xIl-Continued.


those voices? There must be a dozen
Of the band outside already"
lie looked up III her. his glance al
most vacant, and she could but per
ceive how his chin shook.
What shall we do?"
DO = She gripped his shoulder.
Are you man and ask that? We
j Will fight, Did you imagine | would
ever surrender myself into the hands
! of that devil after what has hap
penedE | would rather die; yes,
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 We're like a blow in his
face and under their sting he stag
gcred 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"
Il know it, she admitted, but you
lose your nerve; this isn't your game
Well, it isn't mine either, for the mat
ter of that. Nevertheless it has got
10 he played, ana we're going to play
it together Those fellows will be at
that door preSently-just as soon as
Mendez tells them who are inside here
they'll try us once and, if we can beat
rIpu Iptl- fh1t N-iIl tri,-a nc hraa
Ing spell. Two of us ought to hold
them for some time"
There wa, shouting of commands
without IN Spanish, punctuated by
oathS, the meaning Of which the girl
alone understood She leaned for
ward, her eyes on the door. the cooked
revolver held ready. She had meant
what she said to Cavendsh; to her
mind death was far preferable to any
surrender to that Infatuated Mexican;
She expected death, but one hope yet
buoyed her up-WeStcott He would
come; she had faith in that-and he
would find she had fought to the end,
even if he came too late. She buried
her face in her hands, sitting sob
that shook her body. yet when she lift
cd her head again there was no glm-
mcr Of tears in her eyes and her
cheeks were crimson. She waited mo-
tionless. scarcely seeming to breathe
the statue of woman at bay
All this was but for moment, mo-
ment of swift thought. of equally swift
decision. The next Cavendish stood
beside her, grasping the shotgun, no
longer a victim of weakness. his eyes
meeting hers eagerly.
81 could only find twelve cartridges"
he exclaimed, but know how to use
those"
He took a step forward and hel1 out
his hand,
Forgive me, Miss Donovan" he
pleaded. Really j do not know what
makes me like that, but you would
make a man out of anybody"
Her firm, slim fingers met his eager
~, her eyes instantly glowing In ap-
probation.
"Of course l forgive you" she ex-
claimed. your fear is no greater
than my own. l am a woman and
dread this sort of thing All that gives
me courage is the knowledge that
death is preferable to dishonor," her
voice lost It's firmness, "and-and my
faith in man."
you mean in possible rescue"
Her eyes lifted to his face.
"Yes, Mr. Cavendish. 1t may prove
all Imagination, yet there is One-a
real man, / am sure-whO must know
of my plight before this. II he does,
and lives. he will come to me. If We
can only defend ourselves long enough
there will be rescue"
A blow struck the outer door, and
was repeated, evidently dealt by the
butt of a gun; then the two. standing
silent and almost breathless within,
heard Mendez' voice.
"Senorita, and you also, Senior Cav
endish,' he called, his words intended
to he conciliatory. ut is of no use that
you resist. We are many and armed.
If you surrender and not fight l pledge |
you protection"
The girl glanced at Cavendish.
You answer him.
What shall | say?' he whispered.
"The man lies; he will keep no
promise once we are in his power. Be
sides they have not yet found Cateras.
When they do there will be no thought |
Of mercy"
"Then we will fight it out?"
Il shall; | will never give myself |
into the hands of that creature
"Senor." and Cavendish stepped |
aside to the protection of the logs, 1--WE |
will not surrender. That is our an
swer"
Fools he called back, his voice |
rising harsh above the growing of
others I'VE will show you. Silva,
Felipe, quick now; do what | told you.
We will teach these Americana dogs q
lesson. No, stand back! Wait until
speak the word"
A faint glimmer of light through
,ne of the log crevices caught Caven-
iish's attention and he bent down, his
eve to the crack, one hand grasping the
barrel of his gun. Stella watched him
notionless and silent, her face again
pale from strain.
II can count about dozen out
here" he said finally, his words bare
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