Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

_ hs Te he ” ae ty pee: ae - ~———ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. ne - Be . tg in the clas ical hall of Pandemo- move, and overturned the table in front of 1¢ full quota of demons and evil him. were surel: in evidence, At least They now stood behind a barrier that ly brawny men were ready to avenge offered no great amount of protection, un- olenc ‘that had been shown their lead- less they could keep the opposing forces ad they swarmed to his rescue. away from them; and to the credit of the ce seldoms loiters in the footsteps young woman, she solved the problem, f fo ly, and Bailey’s line of action, follow- temporarily at least. 2 Bruce’s initiative, was never dictated “ Here,” she shouted, “ catch it.” gy reason. He made straight for the on- She tossed one of the chairs to Bruce, ning horde of frenzied villains. As a then another one to Bailey. But even this layer he knew the value of a sweep- mode of defense was to avail for the mo- ing stroke, whether behind racket or fist, ment only. Gradually they were being and» is first blow had naught of the short forced back to. the platform; it seemed a play. It was a vicious staggering miracle that they were not crushed by the drive straight into the sodden face before very force of numbers. him—the first one he could find. Had it A particularly insistent ruffian had forced nissed, he would have lost his footing by his way between the tables and drove Bruce he momentun of the stroke. to the platform steps, but his very position By instinct—for he had no time for ob- made him a target for their combined ef- mation—Bailey knew that Bruce was forts. Bottles, glasses, and, to Bruce's hor- @ like a demon. And he was. His ror, an occasional shot began to whiz by. plendi physique was behind the hammer- Then a chair loomed up in front of him, -e blows he was railing upon his assail- and one of the wooden Jegs caught him full s. The best that Connors had taught in the forehead. feint and guard all came back. Like He knew that his fight was over. Blood 2 bit of a half-forgotten poem, the lines re-__ trickled across his face and the room black- - ened before him. He staggered against the : ‘Behir 1 Bruce was a little alley that led to piano. he rear of the platform, and here the young — Perhaps it was his prominent position, as Lil oman had taken refuge. This small pas- he stood above them, and the knowledge of ‘ ageway Was free, except for a pile of chairs victory, that caused a respite in the fight- stacked against the wall. ing. At any rate, there was a pause, in <4 Setween Bruce and the side wall was which the sound of splintering wood was one of the round serving tables. There was heard. one near Bailey also. They were about to It came from behind the platform, where slay an important part in their plan of the trapdoor had buckled as if it had been jefense, as neither Bruce nor Bailey were a piece of wet cardboard. erm on. Courage alone was not sufficient Bruce turned, and the strange thing he to resist the forces against them. Beaten saw revived him as no medicinal restorative his knees, Bailey had only saved him- could have done. A monstrous black hand f by grasping the near-by table and had shot up through the splintered center. ucgling to his feet. The friendly alley It was accompanied by a growl that resem- . at his left, and he realized that only a bled the muttering thunders of a distant 4] retreat would save the critical storm. Sate As he gazed in dismay the hinges broke the table with his left hand, he from the floor and the woolly head of a aged to keep it in front of him as he giant negress appeared at the opening—a the task of consolidating the fighting head that, to Bruce, resembled a huge black = object being to gain the mutual kettle. ct ve of fighting behind an improvised Bruce gasped at her size as she emerged ees like one from the pit. In girth she sug- Bruce saw the value of ‘the gested the size of an ale cask, while her See = ‘7 +. * ‘ oo SO comicbooks.com —