The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1922-01-21
(cHAPTER xvIl-continued.)

p
Presently they were in the refec-
tory, and a moment after that they
were over the stones, and near the en-
trance Of the ruins, and then a native
appeared, armed and running in. With
out an instant's hesitation Dyck ran
forward, and as he entered, put his
sword into the mans vitals, and he
fell, calling out as he fell.
"The rest will be on US now" said
Dyck, "and we must keep going"
He was about to issue from the
place when three more natives ap-
peared, and he shot two without wait
ing. Catching a pistol from Sheila he
aimed at the third native and wound
ed him, but did not kill him. The man
ran into the wood surrounding the
monastery. Presently more Maroons
came-a dozen or more, and rushed
for the entrance. They were met by
Dyck's fire, and now also Sheila fred
and brought down her man. Dyck
fred again and wounded another, and
with great skill loaded again, but at
that moment three Of the Maroons, In
q whirlwind Of rage, rushed down into
the ruins.
It was dark and they were aston
ished to see that Dyck was there, and
they were more astonished to receive
first one and then another-his iron
In their bowels. The third man made
q stroke at Dyck with his lance, and
did no more than cash Dyck's left
arm. Then he turned and fled out into
the open, and was met by half-dozen
others. They all were about to rush
the entrance when suddenly four
shots behind them brought three Of
them down, and the rest fled into the
wood shouting. In another moment
Dyck and the ladies were In the open,
and making for the woods, the women
IN front, the men behind. loading their
muskets as they ran, and alive to the
risks of the moment.
The dresses of the ladies were
stained and soiled with dust and
damp, but otherwise they seemed lit
tie the worse for the adventure. save
that Mrs. Llyn was shaken, and her
face was ashen gray.
"HOw did you know where we were,
and why did you comet" she said, aft
er they had mounted and had got I'M
der way, having secured the horses
which Sheila and her mother had rid
den.
Briefly Dyck explained how. as soon
as he had dealt with the revolt of
The Maroons at his own place, he came
straight to Salem to protect her and
Eheila.
1--WE had not heard Of the rising OF
the Maroons," she said. 'The COVER
nor was at Salem yesterday and q
message came from his staff to say he
was needed to deal with critical In
cident. and would he come at once.
His staff were not at Salem. but at
the next plantation nearer to Spanish
Town. Lord Mallow went. II he sus-
pected the real trouble he said naught
to N, but was gone before you could
realize It. The hours went by, night
came and passed, then my mother and
], this morning, made up our minds
to take ride to the monastery, and
then round by the road you travelled
by back to Salem"
There are Maroons now on that
hiii above your place. They were
there In ambush when we passed to-
day, but we took no notice, It was
Got wise Of us to invite trouble. Some
Of an would have been killed. but"
He then told what had been In his
mind, and what he thought might be
the outcome-the killing or capture
Of the whole group, and safety for all
ct Salem. His words went to the
farthest corners Of Sheila's nature.
When he had finished, she continued
her story. I'VE rode for an hour un-
challenged. and then came the Ma
rooms. At first knew not what to do.
We were surrounded before we could
act. I had my pistol ready. and there
was the chance 70 escape that faint
chance-if we drove our horses on
but there was also the danger Of be-
ing fred at. and who could tell what
Z terrible end might have been to the
event! So we sat still on our horses
and ! asked them how they dared to
assault white ladies. asked them II
they had never thought what venge
ance the governor would take. They
did not understand my words, but
they grasped the meaning, and one Of
them, the leader, who understood Eng
lish. was inclined to have reason. Al
It was, we stopped what might have
been our murder by saying it would
be wiser to hold rs as hostages, ant
that we were Americans. That mai
was killed-by you. A shot from YOU
pistol brought him down as he rushed
f0rward to enter the ruins. But b.
nook care Of a. a. we went forward
and when ! shot one Of his follower
Tor laying his hand upon me In thu
eaddle- he caught me by the leg I'm
- nv skirt-he would allow no re
taliafion. knew boldness was thu
ne part to play.
s131t Is the end We were bound witt
Z - ". - ,1net fnund m. while the