Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-07-13

was ons of the narrowest [ had seen since
in the country. Every here and there
alleys ran off at right angles, but each !
apparently ended in Guide sac, and to
enter one of them might have been like
running into gin, from which there was
no means of extricating ourselves. To
make matters worse, too, there was, at
one end of the street, the CLINT of arms
and a moment after, four or five Braves
showed themselves for a moment, and
then disappeared.
Fortunately, the peril that threatened
our little party seemed to clear my head
from the misty sensation and [ tried to
devise some plan for immediate execu-
ton.
'They will come upon us suddenly from
one of the narrow streets, if they mean to
attack u.s. L thought, and, giving the sig
nal to my men, [ turned off sharply to the
right, and we walked rapidly in a new di-
recton, in the hope that it might bring us
to where some of our own men were col
looted.
That we were in danger 1 felt sure.
My men knew il, too; but all the same.
in a light-hearted, reckless fashion, l
could hear them joking together.
4 tell you what said one, the bands
as good as broken up, if we don't get back.
What do you say, Dennis
Spoiled intirely,' was the reply; and,
bedad I'm glad I haven't got to blow now,
for I've no more wind left than would put
out one of Wildly Flanagan's dips, and
they were twentyfour to the pound How
are you, corporal ?
Blown was the gruff reply.
Then we went on in silence for little
distance, but only to stop short as we
turned corner, for there was burst OF
yells in the distance, and the clsngor of
gong, and we became aware of the fact
that about thirty Braves were in close
pursuit of a couple of our men, who were
evidently hard pressed.
Come back, sir, quick, come back! ex-
claimed a voice, and the sword-armed
hand of the stout ophicleide-player was
laid upon my arm. It's like rushing on
death, and-here, quick down hereH he
shouted, hurriedly those fellows who
have been lodging US are closing up ?
A glance revealed our position plainly
enough we were between two fires; and,
darting down a narrow lane, we hastily
pursued its windings.
"Our people must hear the noise soon,
and clear the town." whispered the corpe-
raj to me, as he forced his arm under mine.
Hold up, sir, you're bit weak-that's
the way Now then, men, keep togeth-
er it's our only chance"
The lane seemed as if it would have no
end; and all the time there were our ene-
mics yelling and shouting ia full pursuit
Ii we were overtaken, we knew what our
fate must be-instant death, or else some
horrible torture, for in their eyes we were
so many foreign devils.
I looked twice, each time to see the
fierce faces of the yelling mob painting in
pursuit. and once I grew giddy with
dread; but | was pressing on the next
moment, my heart leaping with joy as
Corporal Smith exclaimed:
Hold up, SIR we'll stand by you to a
man and, look there's the end of it at
last =
The end of the lane was, indeed, there !;
but, to our horror, we saw that it was
houses, evidently too near the wall, which
had been Knocked down by our boat
guns.
Its all up now, me boys! said the
Irishmau, with a howl; 'but lets die game
| Tor the lOnuE Oh tD5 Otu L II
give 'em call, though, anyhow he ex'
claimed: 1T ray bring help And as
we faced round, he put his cornet to his
| lips, and blew loud, rallying call; and
there, in the face even of horrible death,
| so great the force of habit, that the
other five bandsmen involuntarily raised
their instruments to their lips,
Here, what fool I am = roared Smith,
! ~ hall hr9el
piece the next moment, fer the Cinnamon
were within half-a dozen yards, and rush
ing at us with lowered spears. Quick,
my boys man apiece frat. Fire, sir,
fire
had already taken aim at the nearest
man with my revolver, and was in the
act of drawing the trigger, when, as
Smith lowered the great Ophicleide, the
foremost Braves saw its huge belching
mouth directed full upon them, stopped
short, yelling now with horror-turned,
and in moment there was regular
stampede, the frightened wretches tramp
ling one another in their hurry to es-
cape
ars afraid of wind instruments. Blow,
me boys, blow Give EN- the big notes,
corporal let out at EN-, Tom, with the
thrombone. Murray, then Don't be
afraid. Let go with the clarionet, Tim
that1l give 'em thestoothacbe, Arrah, if
only Mickey Blame was here with the
pipes !"
have heard men learning, and have
heard the practice in the bandroom, but
never before, am confident, did such a
roaring bray issue from the mouths of in
struments of brass as was now sent after
the retreating Braves.
Fire again, me boys ? shouted Dennis,
as he saw in the distance some half.dczen
men pausc, az if to see how many had
been slain by the fearfsl weapon that put
them to flight.
"A big one this time, corporal ?
Phumph phumph i phumph ! -
phumph went the ophicleide the from
bone erunted, snorted and cut and slashed
in all directions, high and low, sending
forth volley after volley of minims and
semibreves worthy of the pedal pipes of a
large organ while the other instruments
brayed, roared,. howled, and made such
discords as would have sent q professor
mad. But it was not in vain. for this
second discharge had the effect of sending
the last tail flying round the corner, aud
| then the place seemed once msre to swim
round me and [ tainted.
When I recovered, it was to find that
my men had carried me, by some means
over the ruins, and that company of
another regiment had just marched up.
Better, Grey ? said the captain kindly
They tell me you've had narrow
escape. I suppose there are hundreds of
the enemy about yet, Isay, there, where
are you going, my man ? It's not safe
for you to get back there. Come down =
Nv you please, sor, he's lift the CRATE
gun on the other side said a voice, and
as I saw the grinning face of Dennis, [ re-
called the scene.
Back directly, sir. I've left my in
strument," said Corporal Smith,
The captain nodded, and, after min
ute's climbing, Smith returned in triumph
with the great brass piece, which be-
came from that day trophy in the regi