mbled across the top of the
barricade, but next second a dozen corpses fell to earth, riddled by
the bullets of the men standing below in readiness.

In a moment, however, other men appeared in their places, and still more
and more. Women threw up their hands in despair and fled for their lives
while men--calmly prepared to die in the Cause--shouted again and
again, "Down with Krasiloff and the Czar! Long live the Revolution!
Victory for the People's Will!"

I stood undecided. I was facing death. Those Cossacks with orders to
massacre would give no quarter, and would not discriminate. Krasiloff
was waiting for his dastardly order to be carried out. The Czar had
given him instructions to crush the Revolution by whatever means he
thought proper.

Those moments of suspense seemed hours. Suddenly there was another
flash, a stunning report, the air was filled with debris, and a great
breach opened in the barricade. The Cossacks had used explosives to
clear away the obstruction. Next instant they were upon us.

I flew--flew for my life. Whither my legs carried me I know not. Women's
despairing shrieks rent the air on every hand. The massacre had
commenced. I remember I dashed into a long, narrow street that seemed
half deserted, then turned corner after corner, but behind me, ever
increasing, rose the cries of the doomed populace. The Cossacks were
following the people into their houses and killing men, women, and even
children.

Suddenly, as I turned into a side street, I saw that it led into a large
open thoroughfare--the main road through the town, I expect. And there,
straight before me, I saw that an awful scene was being enacted.

I turned to run back, but at that instant a woman's long, despairing
cry reached me, causing me to glance within a doorway, where stood a big
brutal Cossack, who had pursued and captured a pretty, dark-haired,
well-dressed girl.

"Save me!" she shrieked as I passed. "Oh, save me, sir!" she gasped,
white, terrified, and breathless with struggling. "He will kill me!"

The burly soldier had his bearded face close down to hers, his arms
clasped around her, and had evidently forced her from the street into
the entry.

For a second I hesitated.

"Oh, sir, save me! Save me, and God will reward you!" she implored, her
big dark eyes turned to mine in final appeal.

The fellow at that moment raised his fist and struck her a brutal blow
upon the mouth that caused the blood to flow, saying w