The Rajah's Fortress — page 68: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. 59 In a single moment the steps were deserted, save for the heaps of dead and the scattered weapons that lay in pools of blood, and with cries of mourn- ing the foe surged downward toward the bottom. The brief breathing spell was intensely welcome and came as the breath of life to men already dead, for few had expected to come out of that struggle alive. It was only a breathing spell though, for moving torches were now seen on the river. They landed at the rock, and witha low roar that was more dreadful and menacing than their most terrific out- cry, the swollen body of the foe began the ascent for the second time. They were actuated purely by a desire for ven- geance this time, for a phonge with a missing ear is about as worthless as a log of wood. Melton’s bullet might as well have pierced his heart at once. ‘‘ It’s all up with us now,” Chutney said coolly. ‘ Our ammunition is low for one thing, and we’ll never in the world drive those fellows back. Ten minutes will see them in possession of the pagoda.” No one spoke. No answer indeed was required, for all knew that Guy was speaking the simple truth. With a burning desire to sell their lives as dearly as possible, the little knot of men waited grimly on the verge of the steps. From the pagoda behind came the groans of the wounded. It was an awful and a solemn moment, COLUM 1OOO SS co