Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-10-09
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

THE DEFENDERS had all the
advantage. They could see their
adversaries, though only as shape
less, slowly moving shadows. The
moon was beginning to wane.
They fired again :hree shots
each, and there came a yelp of
pain from the attackers. They
ceased to advance, and opened fire
again. The bullets whistled thick,
and Tommy groaned:
ooh, Lord! I amt no thin red
'ero-and 1 don't like this bit"
1t certainly was not a comfort
able feeling-the knowledge that,
at any second, they might be
hurled sky high and dismembered.
Guns only consolation was that if
that happened at least ...e gang
would be robbed of their precious
munitions, so necessary to their
vile scheme. But even that did not
stop nasty prickling about the
scalp, and sinking sensation near
the pit of the stomach.
Then came a sudden and well
come diversion, in the shape of a
hoarse, believing voice. The man
was speaking in Italian as he
came racing along, waving a revol-
yer, and it was plain that he was
in rage.
He's telling them what they're
liable to do with those bullets,
announced Coral. Its evident they
don't want to lose their munitions
even if we 60 with them. Well
get no more shooting just now, I
think"
"That doesn't stop u.s." said Gun.
LET 'em have it, Tommy"
They opened brisk, inaccurate
fire, and soon they noticed that the
enemy was retiring. The one re-
NAMED, silent ana Stlll.
Gun and Tommy fastened their
movements with another shot or
two, but soon they were too far
off to make shooting practicable. !
At about three hundred yards they
ceased to crawl, and rose upright.
In that light it was merely waste
of ammunition to pot at them, as
Gun pointed out.
The defenders now had chance
to look about them. Over in the
Factory lights had sprung up
everywhere and there was evident
ly considerable activity over there.
II expect they're trying to wake
Trent or find Otto" Tommy COM
mented, and Coral added, with a
chuckle:
"And they'll have bit of job
to do either"
1--WE must get busy" said Gun.
mo time to waste. Coral, stand
by the door there-at the side
and keep a look out. Tommy, give
me hand with these cement
sacks-they'll make a nice breast
work across the door,"
But when they dragged them
there, they would not stand up on
end.
Together they went out and
dragged the lifeless body of the
sentry across the door, using him
to prop the sacks against.
They observed that the big man
who had come last, and the two
wounded men were now going
back toward the Factory. The re-
naming three had spread them
selves out, and were keeping
guard. The moon was waning rap
idly.
It'll be as dark as the Heather
Chinee, before long," Tommy re-
marked. "And that won't be so
funny. They'll be able to creep up
close without us seeing them, and
rush us before we know where we
are"
LAS for that, I've got an idea,"
returned Gun. Screen your torch
with your body as much as posi-
ble."
And so, while Coral stood by the
doorway and kept a lockout, Gun
and Tommy worked busily among
the munitions, breaking open the
cases, examining their contents.
and piling lot of the stuff by the
door, ready for use.
What wind there was was blow
ing directly into the open door.
and Gun cursed it beneath his
breath with considerable f!uency. !
IF only it wasn't for that wed
show EN-" he muttored. And Their :
"And if it doesn't change pretty
soon, we shall be in a mess"
Obviously the dark time would