Byrne called to his companions to close in, back to back, and thus, the gangster in advance, the three slowly fought their way toward the end of the narrow street and the jungle beyond.The mucker fought with his long sword in one hand and Theriere's revolver in the other--hewing a way toward freedom for the two men whom he knew would take his love from him.
Beneath the brilliant tropic moon that lighted the scene almost as brilliantly as might the sun himself the battle waged, and though the odds were painfully uneven the white men moved steadily, though slowly, toward the jungle.It was evident that the natives feared the giant white who led the three.Anthony Harding, familiar with Japanese, could translate sufficient of their jargon to be sure of that, had not the respectful distance most of them kept from Byrne been ample proof.
Out of the village street they came at last into the clearing.
The warriors danced about them, yelling threats and taunts the while they made occasional dashes to close quarters that they might deliver a swift sword cut and retreat again before the great white devil could get them with the sword that had been Oda Yorimoto's, or the strange fire stick that spoke in such a terrifying voice.
Fifty feet from the jungle Mallory went down with a spear through the calf of his leg.Byrne saw him fall, and dropping back lifted the man to his feet, supporting him with one arm as the two backed slowly in front of the onpressing natives.
The spears were flying thick and fast now, for the samurai all were upon the same side of the enemy and there was no danger of injuring one of their own number with their flying weapons as there had been when the host entirely surrounded the three men, and when the whites at last entered the tall grasses of the jungle a perfect shower of spears followed them.
With the volley Byrne went down--he had been the principal target for the samurai and three of the heavy shafts had pierced his body.Two were buried in his chest and one in his abdomen.
Anthony Harding was horrified.Both his companions were down, and the savages were pressing closely on toward their hiding place.Mallory sat upon the ground trying to tear the spear from his leg.Finally he was successful.Byrne, still conscious, called to Harding to pull the three shafts from him.
"What are we to do?" cried the older man."They will get us again as sure as fate.""They haven't got us yet," said Billy."Wait, I got a scheme.
Can you walk, Mallory?"
Mallory staggered to his feet.
"I'll see," he said, and then: "Yes, I can make it.""Good," exclaimed Byrne."Now listen.Almost due north, across this range of hills behind us is a valley.In the center of the valley is a river.It is a good fifteen-hour march for a well man--it will take Mallory and you longer.Follow down the river till you come to a little island--it should be the first one from where you strike the river.On that island you will find Miss Harding, Norris, and Foster.Now hurry.""But you, man!" exclaimed Mallory."We can't leave you.""Never!" said Anthony Harding.
"You'll have to, though," replied Billy."That's part of the scheme.It won't work any other way." He raised his revolver and fired a single shot in the direction of the howling savages.
"That's to let 'em know we're still here," he said."I'll keep that up, off and on, as long as I can.It'll fool 'em into thinking that we're all here, and cover your escape.See?""I won't do it," said Mallory.
