Charlevoix county herald., 1920-07-02
Her eyes lifted to his face.


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
there will be rescue"
A blow struck the outer door, and
was repeated, evidently dealt by the
hntt of gun; then the two, standing
silent and almost GREATNESS within,
heard Mendez' voice.
"Senorita, and you also, Senior Cav
endish," he called, his words intended
to be conciliatory. ut 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.
"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 1t out?"
II 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."
"Foolsl" 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
lesson. No, stand backl Wait until
speak the word"
A faint glimmer Of light through
one of the log creyices caught Caven-
dish's attention and he bent down, 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.
II can count about dozen out
there" he said finally, his words bare.
~ audible, and his eye still at the
slight opening. "All Mexican except
tw0-they look American. Most OF
them are armed. All! Walt! The
fellows have searched the cells and
discovered Cateras. Do you hear that
yell? 1t will be 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
fancy, doubt, had left him now that
the supreme test had come. He was
again capable Of thinking clearly and
acting.
"Miss Donovan" he burst out, 1--WE
can never hope to hold back those men
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 II Is dark, with no
windows, and there are strips nailed
between the logs. We can force that
heavy wooden bed acrYss the door and
hide behind 1t. We ought to hold them
there DIS long as our cartridges last,
unless they set the cabin aflre. Good
Godl They have begun already.
Three more blows like that and the
door goes down. Come; it's our only
chance"
II was the work of moment; 1t had
to be. The inner room was so dark
they had to feel their way about
.blindly, yet those splintering crashes
on the outer door, interspersed by the
shouts Of the men, spurred both to
hurried effort. Nor was there much to
be done. The heavy bed was thrown
upon It's side and hauled and pushed
forward until 1t rested against the door
jambs, the mattress and blankets so
caught and held as to form protection
against bullets. Breathless the two
sank to their knees In the darkness be-
hind, their eyes on the Frightening
daylight Of the room beyond. Already
hole had been stove through the up
per panel of the door, the surround
ing wood splintered. Some one fred
once through the Jagged opening and
an .exultant yell followed from with
out.
mo firingl" the voice was Mendez',
rising sharply above the other sounds.
II don't want the girl shot. you fools.
Take that other log around to the
window. They'll surrender fast
enough once we're inside. Now, an
other one. Here. FIVE Of you swing
herw
With crash the remaining wood
gave way, the end Of the log, used as
a battering ram, projecting into the
room Over the shattered door. now
held only by one bent hinge, a half
dozen forms swarmed inward, the
quick rush blocking their passage.
Cavendish pulled trigger, the deep
boom of his shotgun echoed instantly
by the sharper report of the girls re-
volver. She fired twice before the
swirling smoke obstructed the view,
conscious only that one man had
leaped straight into the air and an
other had sprawled forward on hands
and knees, Cavendish pushed home a
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