The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-04-08
CHAPTER VII-Continued

Selwood, approaching the high shut
tered window on the north side OF
the building, felt carefully all around
1t. The two dogs crouched at Scott's
feet. Selwood studied the building a
moment. Then he turned to his COM
panions.
"They'll look for us first at the
back door-that's the natural way to
open this oyster. I'll smash this
shutter. Bill, you go around to the
south side and slam away at the
other window. Bust 1t If you can.
but, whatever you do, make plenty
of noise. When get through this
shutter with an ak, Bob drops the
dogs in here, one after the other
they won't get both of 'em. When
you hear me yell. Bill. it will mean
the dogs are in. Then run to the
back door with your ak. Bob. and
chop at it. I'll take the sledge and
an ak around to the front door, Bill.
When you hear the dogs inside, join
me at the front door and give it the
sledge for all that's in you. Now
get to your place, Bill-when l hear
your ak, start here-Keep out of
range, best you can; there's at least
one hard shooter in there"
A moment later the thud Of Par
daloe's ak against the hollow shutter
on the opposite side of the building
would have walked the dead, had
there been any in Sleepy Cat proper.
Timed at the expected signal, came
the crash Of Selwood's ak into the
north shutter. A loud shout from
within, followed by shot, greeted
the attack; Chloe and Sweetheart,
savage with excitement, yelped and
whined. A shotgun discharged from
close inside the north shutter warned
the besiegers what to expect, and a
buckshot glancing from the blade OF
the ak caught Selwood above the ear.
Scott. crouching with the dogs
jumped as second bullet stung his
wrist. and third brought an angry
yelp from the dog Chloe.
There was no sign or thought of a
retreat. Selwood redoubled his blows
-one or at most two more charges
of buckshot. he believed. were all
that were to be feared for moment
and the sooner they came. the better
it would suit him. He sank the az
head again and again into the thick
lock-rail of the shutter, intent on
reaching the Notwithstanding. Again a
charge of buckshot hurtled through
the damaged easement and sprinkled
the axman, the Indian, and the dogs
but there was no cessation in the
ferocious shower Of blows. The spin.
tering crash that followed each one
told how fast the shutter was giving
way, and the sound Of a fourth report
from shotgun also told Selwood
that Pardaloe was under fir Throw.
ing all his energy into one last swing
Selwood drove the ak completely
through the jamb to pry out the sta
pie. The AK helve, weakened by the
blow. broke. With an oath. Selwo,d
called for the sledge and the next
minute what remained Of the shutter
hung loose.
Within. Selwood and Scott heard
the shouting of the defenders.
1.-THE doors. boys!" roared Selwood
Pardaloe, yelling like an Indian. was
plying his ak. Selwood tore the shut
ter from its hinges. stopped. caught
Chloe in his arms. unsnapped hcl
leash, and threw her like shot into
the store. From Scott's arms. Sweet
heart few in after her.
In an instant pandemonium ragged
inside. Wild shooting. the, swapping
Of the infuriated dogs mingled with
the cursing of the bewildered defend
ers. the crash Of SCOTS ak at the
back door. and Pardaloe's sledge Al
the front. Wood and iron coull moi
withstand. The positions of the two
parties were now reversed; the
trouble was all ON the inside. Dark
ness, the danger Of shooting ont
another in shooting at the dogs-ant
with 1t all the three men in the store
having all thsy could do to keep from
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