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The warriors turned in ti toward them and then, as he dashed into their ht and left The two prisoners took advantage of the consternation of their guards to grapple with them and possess themselves of weapons

There had been but six samurai in the party, two had fallen before Byrne's initial onslaught, but the other four, recovered from their first surprise, turned now to battle with all the terrific ferocity of their kind

Again, at a crucial ust Byrne discarded it, falling back upon the long shich he was no match for the saround, and ran it through the body of one of the Japs as pressing Byrne too closely Odds were even now--they fought three against three

Norris still clung to the spear--it was by far theswords of the saonist and then rushed to the assistance of Foster

Barbara Harding fro hiainst the superior swords to get past the Jap's guard and get his hands upon him, but it was evident that the hter to permit of that There could be but one outcohty quickly The girl grasped the short sword that she constantly wore now, and rushed into the river She had never before crossed it except in Byrne's ar It almost swept her off her feet before she was halfway across, but she never for an instant thought of abandoning her effort

After what seemed an eternity she floundered out upon the mainland, and when she reached the top of the bank she saw to her delight that Byrne was still on his feet, fighting Foster and Norris were pushing their er

Quickly she ran toward Byrne and the samurai She saicked smile upon the brown face of the little warrior, and then she saw his gleaed out aardly to parry the expected blow the keen edge swerved and came down upon his head

She was an instant too late to save, but just in tie--scarcely had the samurai's sword touched the mucker than the point of Oda Yorimoto's short sword, wielded by the fair hand of Barbara Harding, plunged into his heart With a shriek he collapsed beside the body of his victim