Part 15 (2/2)

Above other sounds they could hear loud and heavy voices, as ofthe peaceful little community Of course the words they heard were Ger that the speakers must indeed be the dreaded Uhlans

They were undoubtedly galloping hither and thither, ransacking houses in search of food or anything else worth carrying off It ht be that presently so the torch to any building that failed to meet with their approval, after a hasty search

Rod suddenly re just then It struck hier did it seem to appeal to hiiside the road about two miles back If only they could be communicated with and informed of the presence of the hated Uhlans in the little French village, he felt positive they would not let the grass grow under their feet in hastening to the rescue of the small terrorized coiven considerable for a chance to use his speedyof such a thing, because it could never be carried out

Perhaps froe to attract the attention of sonal Corps code, which he knew very well, communicate their sad condition to the cohtened villagers

”Stay here, and try to keep them out if theyup to the roof and see if I can send a signal for help to that zouave regi by the roadside Here, take this, Josh, and re women and children when you use it”

”Bully for you!” cried Josh, as his hand closed upon the revolver which had been taken from the fraudulent Oscar William Tell

Rod hurried away, and ran upon the woreatly alar of the enerit

”I want to get up on the roof if it's possible,” hat he said to her; ”there is a regiment of French troops camped not two et in touch with them they'd come to our help Show me the way to the trapdoor, if there is one”

She rasped his idea without trouble, for she iroorse than ever, and served to spur the boy on to renewed exertions

The good wo at the trap, and Rod quickly had it open As he clambered out on the roof he saw to his satisfaction that it was situated on the side away froht be able to accomplish what he had deter interrupted by any passing Uhlan lancers

One look in the direction of the hillside gave hiht, since he found that he could easily see the camp of the tired zouaves, who hadin the day's battle, only to arrive when the action was all over

Rod ih carrying out a certain progra to thus attract the attention of some sentry who may have been posted on that side of the camp

Almost immediately he realized that this was just what had been acco aved in reply to his frantic appeals

”What do you want to coh the regular ork of the flag

”Village at mercy of Uhlans--coe which Rod sent waving back How glad he was at that nal Corps work, and could both send and receive so accurately

That theof his dispatch Rod quickly understood, for almost immediately there aved back an answer calculated to reassure hi! O K”

All this of course took a little time in transmission Seconds had passed into h Rod realized that things were getting pretty warm close by In fact some of the raiders had discovered that the e was barred against them They had leaned from their saddles and pounded heavily on the door When no one opened up they had given vent to their anger and even threatened to s all sorts of terrible things for the ino to this trouble

Still there had been no response Josh, as in charge below, did not mean to risk the loss of the preciousshot as a spy, just because those lordly Uhlan cavalrymen demanded that he unbar the heavy door and let the voices, accompanied by louder blows, continued to sound as Rod hastened downstairs again He realized that they h raiders out until the French zouaves had a chance to arrive on the field

There were several old e in the house that te Aers considered real heroes Although far fro, half-palsied hands, these old chaps had proceeded to arm themselves as best they could