The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-06-29

burned out.
TRYING to rouse myself, l hurriedly
took glance at our position. We were
evidently in one of the lower parts of the
town; and the street where We were IN
was one of the narrowest / had seen since
in the country. Every here and there
alleys ran off at right angles, but each
apparently ended in chi de sac, and te
enter one of them might have been rum
ming into gin, from which there was no
means of exlricating ourselves. To make
matters worse, too, there was moment
after four or five Braves showed them
selves for moment, and then disappear
ed.
Fortunately, the peril that threatened
our li.tle party seemed to clear my head
from the misty sensation and ! tried
to devise some plan for immediate exc
cution.
they will come &pon us suddenly from
one of the narrow streets if they mean
to attack u.s. I thought, and, giving the
signal TO my men, [ turned of sharply
to the right, aud we walked rapidly IN
new direction. In the hope that 1t might
bring US TO where more Of our own men
were collected
That we were in danger [ felt sure.
My men knew 1t, TOO; but all the same,
in a ght-hearted, reckless fashion [ could
hear them joking together.
II tell you what" said one, ''the
bands as good as broken up, if we
don't get back. What DO you say Den
mis- %
''Spoiled entirely" was the reply !:
and, bedad, I'm glad haven't got to
blow now. for I've no more wind left
than would put out one of Wildly Flan-
aghan's dips, and they were twenty
four TO the pound How are you, cor
poral?''
Blown, was the gruff reply.
Then we went on in silence for a short
distance, but only to stop short as we
| turned a corner, for there was a bust Of
yells in the distance, and the clangor oil
gong, and we became aware of the fact
that about thirty Braves were III close
pursuit Of couple OF our men, who were
| evidently hard pressed.
Come on |" [ shouted, with my blood
seeming to boil but long before we
could reach the spot, we saw the two
poor fellows oyerlaken, and fall pierced
with Il score Of spear wounds.
Gone back, sir, quick, come back -
exclaimed 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
here he shouted huriiedly ''those
fellows who have been lodging US are
closing up
A glance revealed our position plainly
enough we were between two fires ..and
darling down narrow lane, we hastily
pursued its windings.
"Our people must hear the noise soon,
and clear the town." whispered the
corporal to me, as he forced his arm
under mine. ''Hold up, sir, you're a
bit weak-that's the way. Now then,
men, keep together; It's our only
! chance.
The lane seemed as if it would have
no end; and all the time there were our
| enemies yelling and shouting in full pur-
suit IF 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.
| looked back twice, each time to see
the fierce faces Of the yelling mob pant
in pursuit, and once [ 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 man; and,
look there's the end of if o. l-~+.'
1 ne end OF the lane was indeed there !:
but, TO our horror, we saw that it was
blocked up by the ruins of a couple of
houses, evidently too near the wall
which he d been knocked down by our
| boat-guus.
IL 5 all up now, me boys" said the
freshman, with howl; ''but let's die
game for the honor of the ould Judgment.
I'll give 'em call though, anyhow, !"
he exclaimed, Sit may bring help" and
as we faced round, he put his cornet to
his lips and blew a loud rallying call; and
there, In the face even of horrible
death, so great was the force of habit,
that the other FIVE bandsmen involun-
tarily raised their instruments to their
lips
There, what a fool [ am roare6
Smith, lowering his huge bell-mouthed
brass piece the next moment, for the
Chinamen were upon US with lowered
spears.
Quick, my boys! man piece first.
Fire, sir, fire. %
l had already taken aim at the near
est man with my revolver, and Mas 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-turued,
aud IN moment there was regular
stampede, the wretches trampling one
another in their hurry to escape.
"Bedad !" shrieked Dennis. ''the
devils are afraid of the wind insthru-
ments Blow, me boys, blow! Give
EN- the bid notes. corporal; let out at |