The Arizona copper camp., 1920-12-04

now"
"Get up thenI There's fighting
enough ahead to make you forget that.
What happened?"
"He-he kicked me, 1 guess. IL
don't exactly know. l heard you go
past us into that other room, and-and
just turned my head to see. The next
l knew / was on the floor. 1 thought
was going to faint. Did I get him
with the knife?''
mo, it's over there, and am afraid
l didn't touch him either; it was all so
sudden 1 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 do2"
"Do!" She gripped his shoulder.
Are you man and ask that? We
will fight! Did you imagine 1 would
ever surrender myself into the hands
of that devil after what has hap
pened? / 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
Ia gentleman"
The words were like a 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"
81 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
to be played, and 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
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 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 infuriated 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
ed her head again there was no glim-
mer 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, a 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.
"I 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 do not know what
makes me like that, but you would
make man out of anybody"
Her firm, slim fingers met his eager
ly, her eyes instantly glowing in ap-
probation.
'Of course I forgive you," she ex-
claimed. "Your fear is no greater
than my own. l am woman and
dread this sort of thing. All that gives
me courage is the knowledge that
death is preferable to dishonOr," her
voice lost its firmness, "and-and my
faith in man.
'YOu mean in possible rescueY
Her eyes lifted to his face.
''Yes, Mr. Cavendish. 1t may prove
all imagination, yet there is one-a
real man, 1 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, ana
was repeated, evidently dealt by the
Mltt of gun; then the two, standing
silent and almost breathleSs within,
heard Mendez' voice.
"Senorita, and you also, Senor Cav
endish," he called, his words intended
to be conciliatory. ''It 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 l 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"
tHThoY, xxyo will RUht OIrt9D