The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-01-19

| aualOI ACIoil, SutTe are Two foepOS
dresses. I implore you, for all our
sakes, let yourself and your daughter as
sumo these disguisesas speedily as pos
sible" - {0
The horse of one of the slain mutt
neers was still fastened to an adjacent
tree, Raymond released the animal, and
placed upon it the wounded officer and
his daughter, both Of whom had now as
sumed the Sepoy DISCUSSES.
"Unless," said the young officer, sswe
can succeed in reaching the Residency
hcF6re day bfeaf, ne shall belost indeed;
therefore this is no time for riiinous dc.
ldy With his double burden the horse.
cannot proceed very rapidly, and Musss
ef Ali and willran by, his side2,,
Scarcely had they emerged from the
jungle. when the shouts Of the mutinecrs
were heard as they urged on the pursuit,
being no doubt ncitedby the wounded
Sepoy who had $iveu them intelligence
of the rescue
The pursuit, although expected had
occurred so suddenly and so speedily
that redoubled precaution and expedi-
ton became necessary. But Musser
Ali's knowledge of the country and the
unusual darkness of the night proved of
great assistance. After hurrying over
the most devious paths, and apparently
battling their pursuers, the little party,
after numerous difficulties and escapes,
at length arrived within mile from
Lucknow half an hour before daybreak.
Pausing before the outskirts of the rebel
camp, it was deemed advisable that Ma
jor Acton and his daughter should dis
mount and continue The remainder Of
that perilous journey ON foot.
The Sepoy disguises, the tact Of the
faithful Musser Ali, and Raymonds in
innate knowledge of Hindoostanee, en-
abled the fugitives to overcome difficul
ties and dangers which would have been
otherwise insurmountable, and material
ly facilitated their progress through the
encampment of the insurgents
But just as they were approaching a
portion of the ramparts where Raymond
had hoped to find means Of ingress
into the Residency, to their great sur
prise, they were suddenly assailed by a
band of Sepoys headed by the Havildar,
or horsesoldier, who had been wounded
during the recent encounter in the jun.
gle. ou-..
Raymond at once adopted the pre-
caution of shouting to the English
guard to open the adjacent gate. His
appeal would be readily and eagerly re-
sponded to by his brother-officers as
speedily as circumstances would permit !;
but in the meantime the pursuers were
pressing upon him furiously, in order to
intercept the retreat of the fugitives.
"At least" cried Raymond, "let this
lady be saved. Admit her within the
walls as speedily as possible. A mo-
ment's delay will be inevitable destruc-
ton"
Thus saying, sword in hand. he sprang
amongst the assailants and followed by
Major Acton and the faithful Hindoo,
Musser Ali, for some moments he sue
ceeded in keeping overpowering num-
bers Of the enemy at bay.
SO fierce was the conflict, that when
the gate was opened and the reinforce
ment came to their aid, Major Acton
and the faithful Hindoo, Musser Ali,
were faint from exhaustion; and Ray
mond Vivian, severely and desperately
wounded, fell insensible into the arms OF
a brother-oflicer. e1
After brief interval, Major Acton
and Musser Ali recovered. But for
many days Raymond Vivian's life was
despaired of. During the long and
painful delirium of the brain-fever that
supervened, he was carefully and effec-
tionately tended by the grateful major,
rs well as by his young and beautiful
daughter, Edith Acton.
Ere lie had completely recovered,
Lucknow lad been finally relieved, and
the garrison had been rescued by Sir
Colin CampbelE whose distinguished
services were recognised BY his elevation
to the peeragc under tie title of Lord
Clyde. -,
In the spring time of the succeeding
year Raymond Vivian received the Vic
toria Cross as a reward for his daring
valor; and with the full and grateful
consent of her father, the young and
beautiful Edith Acton became the bride
of her preserver.