Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/273

 Rh my whole attention concentrated on the work before me. I saw nothing to cause alarm, and heard no unusual sound. I do not know yet where the fellow came from, but he must have been crouching down within the shadow of the cellar door, which stood wide open. What he was, who he was, I shall never know, nor the cause of his savage attack. He was a soldier, with cartridge belt on, and musket in hand as though on duty, yet if he was a guard posted there, why did he fail to challenge? It is my thought the man had left his post and was looting the cellar; perhaps was drunk, and mistook me for an officer who had discovered him. I recall pausing an instant, and staring down the dark steps, but I saw nothing, and passed on. I could not have taken two steps, when Noreen gave utterance to a sharp cry, and, instinctively, I sprang swiftly aside, flinging up an arm to protect my head. The blow struck and glanced off, terribly bruising arm and shoulder, the force of it flinging me to the ground. I staggered to my knees, jerking a revolver from the belt, my brain dazed, and one hand numb and useless. Before I could turn entirely about, or perceive anything, there sounded a muffled oath and a crash; then I had a glimpse of the girl alone leaning above the open cellar-way. I managed to gain my feet, and get close enough to touch her dress.