The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

246 THE TRACK OF MIDNIGHT. He carried Mary into the room where he had rested, and placing her on the stretcher, called aloud for Narli. ‘Then he hastened to where he had left his rifle, and seizing it, crept back to the door and Peered cautiously out. There was a tremor in the bushes where he had seen the smoke, and aiming quickly, he fired. He saw a piece of the bush fall, and then another shot echoed from the same direction, and the bullet plowed into the doorway, scarcely six inches from his head. With a muttered imprecation at his own folly in not having fired his pistol first and reserved his rifle shot for the opportunity which he now had of locating the exact position of his enemy, he retreated behind the door while he reloaded his weapon. In his excitement he had not noticed that there had been no reply from Narli, and the sudden appearance of Mary behind him startled him. ‘What is it?’’ she exclaimed. ““ They’re attacking us!’’ he cried. ‘I warned your father, but he only laughed at me.’’ ‘‘ But my head—what is it ?’’ she repeated. “A bullet struck the veranda and a flying splinter struck your head. Don’t show yourself!’’ he cried as she made as if to go through the door- way. ‘‘ Look there !’’ he added, pointing to the mark the bullet had left on the door. ~ Oh, you will be hurt !’’ she exclaimed, clutching at his arm. He looked into her face, and the anger faded from his eyes. “Am I not your champion?” he said. ‘But give me a rifle, too. I can shoot.’’ ‘“No, no. You go into safety and let me do the shootin e. Your father will hear it and return. ‘There is only one man over there,’’ he added as he rammed his charge home and examined the priming. Then he knelt down and peered round the edge of the door. ‘Don’t do that,’’ Mary cried, as she caught him py the shoulder. ‘““’Ehey will shoot you !’’ ‘“‘T must defend you!’’ he ex¢laimed. ' But if they rush the house, all the doors are open,’’ she cried. ‘‘ Come inside, quick !’’ ‘There is only one, I am sure, and he dare not show himself,’’ he an- swered, loath to shake off the hold she kept on his shoulder. ‘‘But there may be more. Yes, listen! I can hear horses.” He leaned forward, and his ears caught the sound. ‘““They’re coming, they’re coming !’’ Mary cried, clinging to him in’ her alarm. ‘‘Oh, save me from them, save me!”’ “They shall never touch you while I live !’’ he exclaimed, forgetting for the moment the danger he was in as he pressed her to him and kissed her up turned face. She gazed into her eyes as she clung to him. ‘‘ At last I know,’’ she said softly. ‘‘ Now I do not mind what comes.’’ ‘* Call Narli, and bring all the rifles there are in the house,’’ he exclaimed, coming back from his dream to the reality of the situation. But she did not =) (E(0) (E(0) 1 OKOL-KS