The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-18

from the place.
caded In any way ~ asked.
''Tne one above this Is most desirable as place to
.Let us Co." said, hurriedly. for now Icould hear
Il sr Se
different from the languid brilliance that knew
She went up the stairs, and Followed. after having
fastened the horses securely and did what could
toward fastening the windows
% so 50 stronG was the Se excemsns nnon me
When reached the little room where Boadlcsd
awaited me found t1at she had put up the shutters
and was now peering through an ope1ing in one OF
The room was utterly dark, save the dim light that
came through the nterstces like that through which
stood stii minute until my eyes should be.
suddenly felt her hand laid lightly upon mine, and
she said. In voice that revealed something OF the
excitement .M, that was upon her also:-
II n non more e. Arc your pistols readys Are you
"rhey say am a good shot, answered, thank.
fully, unable to resist laying nv hand over hers
for ON instant "You are impetuous; you have
quickly. Every shot must tell, or we are lost p
lyon do not know me. can be cool as the
Her voice sounded calm enough now. I heard the
click Of her pistol as she held it up to the light
A moment after she said:-
There's nothing really fear now but that they
Will fire the building 1t has been tried three times
shower has the ames they have By
come superstitious about itn
That case soo,,y We WIN fight our way
could see her eyes gleam through the darkness.
yes we VIII aghtr' she exclaimed. "But the
I'VE must first await our fate, " responded; .
was kneeling by the shutter and looking out. AS
direction could see the dim figures moving about.
Five or SIX Of the men had dismounted and were
toward the house and gestlculating earnestly.
AS looked was suddenly conscious of Q light
panion had kndied small wax wax candle, which she
shaded heavily. placing i IN corner OF the room.
They cannot see IT, she said, In explanation;
our pistols. What are they dolngs''
Nothing but talking; Perhaps, AFTER all, they
rooms. II we are quiet we may not be disturbed"
"You do not know them,n was the answer.
And saw the smooth brow wrinkle itself into
q frown, and the mouth grow stern and set.
Just then long, shrlll neigh sounded the air.
the voice OF Nox. started and uttered violent
Boadlcea was now standing close to me, and by
the fIckering light saw her bosom heave rapidly,
though her face was calm and pale.
"Now we know they will explore the house." she
WHISPERED. The sooner the better This expecta-
she did not look weak. AS for me, felt the
strength OF dozen men In me. Had not this wo.
until tonight yet whom could never forget.
Again looked out. They were no longer talking.
the house, yet cautiously, as II fearing ambushed
fire.
The drawing room where the horses were, was on
the ground floor. knew too well that If they were
taken, there was hardly chance that we could ever
reach the city on foot beneath burning sun, so
"Can they be brought up the stairs p, asked alb
ruptly.
al believe So But is there time9'
There was anxiety in her voice, but she did not
try to dissuade me. The next minute l was down
the stairs, while she stood guard above
The starlight and the brilliant heavens made the
long drawing room quite light when reached 1t. l
had no time to hesitate. If the horses held back any
took Nox by his Lridte for he was the strongest.
and II only one could be saved he best could carry
He Climbed the STAIRS as carey a. II he an reay y @
derstood the words murmured to him.
Boadicea dared not leave her post; but she signi.
fed, by gesture, how thankful she was thas ! naa
succeeded thus far.
In another moment was doyn sgain. This time,
Mp leaGnea few sne Il the Window But
pause. Was It q shadow
nad walked two or three steps with me when the
report OF pistol from the above sounded sharp
just in time to see form stagger away from it, and
heard ialnsmoan' as OF one who had received
Not minute more before was up stairs, and both
horses were with US.
The girl came to me with wide dilated eyes
"You are not hurt?n she exclaimed..under her
Thanks to you-no., said fervently
al saw him ann at you'll almost thought he fired
at the same moment did," she said, and she shiv.
cred as she spoke.
the horses and we both stationed ourselves at the
windows, neither speaking, our eyes strained down
/ noticed that the shutter where she knelt swung
loosely. 1t was fast when went down stairs.
You have opened the shutter ~ whispered
al was obliged 10 lean out TO fire Oh that man.
"How reckless how horribly careless =, | ex.
claimed. "for Gods sake don't expose your Life
like that again ~
she made an imperious gesture, but said nothing.
Evidently from the silence outside, the party
were considering whether or not the house was
garrisoned by force that could defend it; but COM
mon sense must have ,od them that in this lonely
place, or no military account. the poyeroment
troops would not be stationed, and as evidently
they were conlonnded ct tin,iing any one in place
they had deemed entirely deserted.
The minutes passed thus-ten minutes, which
lnen we both saw they were marching up regu
larry to the attack and that iheY had decided upon
taking the drawing room windows llrst, hoping to
capture the horses, OF Which the insurgents stood in
such need.
made out twenty OF them and, had been less IN
toXicated with danger and excitement, my hopes OF
escape would have sunk to despair
Knowing that this woman was by my side-that
was to aght for her as well as Tor myse!f-every
drop Of blood in me bounded, every nerve was
tense with something akin to wild pleasure.
You See :. she said they are coming as Il
them. Before they reach here promise me one
thing"
ana clasping close the burning fingers she gave
Inc.
III there Is no other way TO prevent my falling
Into their hands, promise that you viii XIII me your
seiff'
did not hesitate an instant. Looking at the
face before me, could but say, promptly and fer
venty, ...-a+..
81 promise -
Thanks You have lifted q burden from my
soul ~
We did not speak again for q long time, and then
sad only,
ave must shoot as many as we can as they reach
the windows below rs, then trust 10 Providence To
enable US 10 malutaln door barllcadei It's fast
b0ltcd now, and it's a heavy door, FOR wouder.n
she bowed IN acquiesccnce. Then two long minutes
passed. We had extlngulshei the candle and noise.
lessly IMPAIRED the shutters, so that we could re
move them When the ASSISTANTS were so near we
could not see them from our present position.
Attfe same instant both our shutters swun noise
iessiy BACK.
...,im wen Fire =; whispered.
We leaned oat. IN that aw III moment | learned