Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1920-09-17
CHAPTER xlI-Continued.

He lookedeup at her, his glance al
most vacant, and she could but per-
reve how his chin shook.
"What shall we do?"
"Do!" She gripped his shoulder.
"Are you man and ask that7 We
will fight !, Did you imagine | would
ever surrender myself into the hands
of that devil after what has hap
pened1 would rather die; yes
will die before he ever puts hand on
me. And what about you, MIR, Caven-
dish? Are you going to lie there mop
ing? Answer me- thought you were
IA 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. "Tm not that
kind"
~ know it, she admitted but you
lose your nerve this isn't your game
Well, 1t isn't mine either, for the mat
ter of that. Nevertheless 1t has got
to be played, and we're going to play
It together. Those fellows will be at
chat do1r presently-just as soon as
Mendez rellS them who are inside here.
They'll Try us once and, if we can beat
them back, that Will give US a 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 girl
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 Mexican;
she expected DEATH but one hope yet
buoyed her up-Westcott. lie 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
ed her head again there was no glim-
mer Of tears in her eyes and her
cheeks were crimson. She waited mo-
tlonless, 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 Cavendlsh stood
beside her, grasping the shotgun, no
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 Out
his hand.
Forgive me- Miss Donovan" he
pleaded Really l do not know what
makes me like that, but you wout
make man out of anybody"
Her firm, slim fingers met his eager
ly, her eyes instantly glowing In ap
probation
"Of course / forgive you she ex
claimed. "Your fear is no create
than my own. | am q woman ant
drea11 .Ass sort of thing. All that give
me courage is the knowledge tina
death is preferable to dishonor," he
voice lost its firmness, "and-and m
faith in man"
you mean In possible rescueT
Her eyes lifted to his face.
"Yes, Mr.. Cavendish. 1t may prov
all Imagination, yet there is one
real man. am sure-who must kno'
of my plight before this. II he doe
and lives. he will come to ne. II W
can only defend ourselves long enoug
there will be rescue"
A blow struck the outer door, an
was repeated, evidently dealt by Il
butt of gun; then the two, standlr
silent and almost breathless With
heard Mendez' voice.
"Senorita, and you also, Senior Ca
endish" he called, his words intendt
to be concilatory. ut is of no use TIL
YOU resist We are many and arme
If YOU surrender and not fight | pied!
you protection"
The girl glanced at Cavendish.
"You answer him."
what shall say?" he whispered.
1.-THE man lies; he will keep
promise once we are in his power. h
sides they have not yet found Caters
When they do there will be no thong
of mercy"
"Then we will fight it out?'
al shall; ! will never give mys'
into the hands of that creature"
"Senor" and Cavendish stepp
aside to the protection of the logs, ~
will not surrender That is our
swer."
"Fools!" he called back, his vo
rising harsh above the growing
others. 1--WE will show you. Sill
Felipe, quick now do what | told y
We will teach these Americana dogs
lesson. No, stand back Wait unit
speak the word
A faint glimmer of light thror
one of the log crevices caught Cav
dish's attention and he bent down,
eve to the crack, one hand grasping
barrel of his gun. Stella watched /
motionless and silent, her face ag
male from, strain.
II nn sasxut about q dozen