The daily Alaskan., 1920-07-20

l Sle expected Qeatn, put one nope yeb 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, stiAing a sob that shook her body, yet when she lift ed her head again there was no glim- 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 a moment, a mo- ment of swift thought, of equally swift decision. The next Cavendisb stood beside her, graspIng the shotgun, no longer a victim of weakness, his eyes meeting hers eagerly.
 q could only find twelve cartridges" he exclaimed, "but know how to use those."
 He took a step forward and held out his hand.
 Forgive me, Miss Donovan" he pleaded. Really I do not know what makes me like that, but you would make q man out of anybody"
 Her firm, slim fingers met his eager. ly, her eyes instantly glowing In ap- preCiation. "a.
 "Of course I forgive you" she ex- claimed. Your fear is no greater than my own. I am a woman and dread this sort of thing. All'that gives me courage Is the knowledge that death is preferable to dlshOnor." her voice lost its flrmness, "and-and my | faith In a man."
 "You mean in possible rescueT
 Her eyes lifted to his face.
 'Yes, Mir. Cavendish. It may prove all imagination, yet there Is one--a real man, am sure-who must know of my plight before this. If he does. and lives, he will come to me. If we can only defend ourselves long enough 1 there will be rescue"
 A blow struck the outer door, and was repeated, evidently dealt by the 1 lutt of gun; then the two, standing silent and almost breathless wlthini heard Mendez' voice. .-'.
 "Senorlta, and you also, Senor Cav endish," he called, his words intended ] to be conclliatory. Tt Is of no use that you resist. We are many and armed. If you surrender and not fight pledge you protection"
 The girl glanced at Cavendish.
 "YOR 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 1t out?"
 "I shall; I will never give myself | into the hands of that creature"
 "Senor." and CavendIsh stepped aside to the protection of the logs, i've will not surrender. That Is our an- swer."
 l "Foolsp he called back, his voice rising harsh above the growing of others. We will show you. Silva, Felipe, quick now; do what told you. We will teach these Americana dogs a lesson. No, stand back! Wait until l speak the word"
 A faint glimmer of light through one of the log crevices caught CRven- dish's attention and he bentedown, his |. eye to the crack, one hand grasping the barrel of his gun. Stella watched him motiOnleSS and silent, her face again pale from strain.
 q cun count about a dozen out T there" he said finally, his words bare, l " audible, and his eye still at the slight opening. All Mexican except two-they look American. Most of them are armed. An! Waitl The fellows have searched the cells and discovered Cateras. Do you hear that | yell? It will be q fight to a finish now. Here come two men with log that's their game, then; they mean to smash in the door,"
 He strengthened up casting a swift ! glance about the apartment. All hesi- ! tnncy, doubt, had left him now that the supreme test had come He was again capable. of thinking clearly and acting. e. ..- ... .,
 Miss Donovan" he burst out, i've can never hope to hold back those men l herein this. room. We shall be, In bright light as soon as the door is battered down and then, If they crush in the window also, we shall surely be | attacked from two sides"
 "What will be betterT she asked.
 "The back room; 1t Is dark, with no windows, and there are strips nailed between the logs. We can force that heavy wooden bed across the door and hide behind 1t. We ought to hold them i there as long as our cartridges last, unless they set the cabin afire. Good God! They have begun already. Three more blows like that and the door goes down. Come; it's our only , chance" ,--r- .' .~.
 It was the work of moment; It had to be: The inner room, was so dark they had to feel their way about Blindly, yet those spllnterlng crashes 1 on +ba cutar dOOy.- intarSnersed hy- the