National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-07-16

Immediately after, the crowd open
ng from around their impromptu
gun, a match was applied to it. AS
the commandant had foretold, the
crazy weapon exploded, scattering
death among the throng. The first
effect was to paraIyzG the savageS;
the second, was to rouse them to
frenzy. Breaking into yells of rage
they burst from the spot, taking the
direction of the fort, evidently de
termincd to avengc the death Of
their slain, even il they pcrished
themselves,
'Now boys, comes the final strug-
gle,' said the commandant. If we
beat them back this time the victo-
ry will be complete; but if a single
trigger fails. our scalps will be dry,
before month, in the Wyandot
lodges. Think of Your wives and
children
He was already taking his station,
when his niece SileItlY touched his
arm. Her face was full Of pcrplcXi-
ty, and even horror, for the first
time since the siege began.
'What is it, my child I! quickly
asked the commandment, his countc-
nance assuming something the look
of hers, for he was aware that no
common incident could have work.
ed such a change in his niece. And
he drew her one side, saying, speak
III Whisper
The ammunition is out was the
reply, unless there is more hid
away than YOU gave into my charge
\ blank diSmay settled over the
! commandants countenancc.
Good God . it is all over with us ;
/ for we have no more in the fort.
brought enough, from your fathers
house. but these repeated assaults
have consumed it,
Cannot some one said the niece,
go to our house and bring back Il
suppl, ?
But VINO, 1t would be almost
certain death p
There was a moments pause
The3, with no change in her countc-
nance, except that it grew a shade
paler, she anSWered:
i will go
YOU said the veteran, starting
back.
and why not! | am young, ac
tive and fleet of foot. | can g
quicker than any one else. Besides
the Savages seeing it is onl y WON
an, may not fire tlli they detect my
purpose; and in that case, only the
p return will be perilous, If do not
go, we are all sure to die. Even i
mortally wounded, | think | cal
succeed in gaining the fort again
and if this is done, and your live,
are saved am content to fall
But Frank
For a moment her lip quiyered
She graSped her unclc'S arm convul
sively, gave him an appealing look
and said huSllily:
'Don't-dou't. But let me go bt
fore it is too late
The tears came INTO the Old man
eyes. He pressed his niece to hi
bosom, and said:
'Go then, and God be with yot
heroic girl. Aud yet he addct
/, glancing around, iii it were not to
these poor women. and childrcI
q neither |, nor any man here, WouI
| suffer it,
When the intention Of our her
oinc was mauc known, several {
the men insisted on taking her plac,
but her reply was--
! 40. one of you can be spared
= woman will be less missed
= Sadly the little garrison saw he
v depart on her terrible venture
y Her uncle himself, notwithstanding
" the danger, attended her to the gat
y, of the fort, which hc himself thrc
y open; aud with the tlrctucss of
=, young iawn She bJanlcd away.
y The defenders OF the outpost 81
- her departure, and though lgnorai
- of its cause stood ready to reccil
". her, Col. Xanc, in person, hurryiu
to the door.
.. The saVagcs, too, hehcld her cN
lc At first, dozen guns were leNcl'
/; at her, but when it was seen th
(. the fugitive, rs they thought hC
" was II woman, a coutenptuouS cl
e, of n squaw, a sqnaW,' passed no
ne one guttcral throat to another, al
,n she was suffered to gain the dive
II, ing unharmcd. ~
~ Nv hat is the matter, my chil,
IT, cried her father, us she dashed III
90 the doorway.
m. .Why do you thus madly II
your lltcP
ry we are ont fpowdcr,' brcatnle
At, ~ gaspcd our heroine. 'All is Il
unless can carry back II supp
"! Give me some quick, or the India
ne will have made Tia, IL last rush.
Ne And rs she spoke, she sank
most exhausted, on the chair by
,n. door.
ry For an instant her father rega
see ed her in silence. Wonder tend
lk ness, and admiration succeeded "a
ltll other in his heart, and were rlsll
nd depicted on his face. The VII
peril Of the fort rose before llllf
the Her return, he well knew would
N through u gauntlet of balls, VIII
the the shvagcs, on detecting her y
of pose would pour upon her. ESc'
zen with lie would bc almost lihIu'
III Lln Snn mua Liz only Inmght