Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

THE FET TERS OF IGNACIO, 65 “ We shall beat them, then.” Crenshawe stood in the doorway looking the place over. The ornamental shrubbery that beautified the Don’s grounds extended here at the back of the mansion, though it was not as luxuriant as it was up at the front. “here are four of us,” said Crenshawe quickly, addressing Edwardes. “ Tell the overseer that we will post ourselves behind bushes out there—one at each. Come what may, we must pick off the armed guards.” “ We'll do it,” responded Edwardes, “ but the fellows will be so impelled by frenzy that I fcar a mere handful of fatalities on their side will not count to deter them.” “The armed guards must be killed,” returned Crenshawe, “and as for the rest, there is a way to stop them. This cowardly hulk here must help.” He pointed to Don Ignacio. “ They will kill me,” moaned the Don. “It would serve you right, but you have got to save us.” Saying which Crenshawe seized the Spaniard by his collar and jerked him to his feet. Edwardes, the overseer, and Tony, were betaking themselves to the bushes, whence they were to fire upon the attacking party. Crensbawe dragged the Don—literally dragged him, for he had not the nerve to move his limbs—to his own post. The blacks were then hardly more than a hun- dred yards away. At their head were three with rifles. “ T’ll take the middle one,” called Crenshawe, and fired as he spoke. The middle guard staggered and fell upon his face. | Three other shots spoke from neighboring bushes, and another guard went down. Crenshawe himself finished the third one. "The effect of the little fusillade was to cause the advancing blacks to waver for an instant and almost to halt. Those in the rear, unable to perceive the fatal character of the defense, were howling excitedly and pushing the others on. ““ Now then, you trembling coward,” said Crenshawe to the Don, “ it’s your turn. Take this revolver and point it at the blacks. You don’t need to fire.” The Don stammered something unintelligible, but his hand gripped the revolver that Crenshawe gave him. The American pushed him from beside the bush so that he stood in full view of the blacks. Seeing him, a long drawn how! of dismay went up from all their throats. It instantly appeared to them, as Crenshawe had hoped it would, that he, the all powerful tyrant of their lives, had been the sole cause of slaughter in their ranks. As with one accord they threw down the rude weapons with which they had armed themselves, and groveled in the dirt before that hated but awful vision of impregnable power. The insurrection was quelled. CHAPTER XX.—THE SPANISH GUNBOAT. THE sight of the groveling slaves reanimated the Don. The pallor of cowardly fear left his face, and the savage expression of the tyrant returned. 5 GOGO