Litchfield enquirer., 1876-07-06

sob close to my ear.

sob close to my ear. h@1aas
 "TIaSe no fears whispered; no harm shall come to you while Tom Haywood lives to avert it. ss1 ,gs-s - s,n-e
 q could now distinguish the uni form with silver facings, the white hell nets, and dark, glowering faces. "One sowar had outridden the rest, and was close upon me-too close, thought, for bullet from him now might cost Julia her life ]@ ~
 "ln the advance I heard the dashing and roaring of the river as the fierce tide swept hurriedly by. The very sound gave me renewed hope, and my mind was quickly made up. .5 ....
 Passing the reins into Julia's hands bade her hurry on after Marshman. The next instant slipped from the sad dle, recovering just in time to give him the contents of two barrels in quick suc- cession. He fell. I did not stop to ascer- tain whether he was dead or not, but at the top of my speed bounded up mar row and rocky defile, where I found Marshman and the two girls dismounted.
 "A sligh rustic bridge spanned the river, while on the opposite side loomed up the jungle dark and silent. 7. .
 "'Now, girls, sit here in the shade of this rock. Keep up your courage, and do not be alarmed. We have the Sowars at disadvantage. They will never att tempt to force this narrow pathway in broad daylight. My friend, the ieuten- ant and myself can hold it with our re- volvers against hundred of them. Ha did I not tell you SOP and savage war cry rang out, echoing amid the de- files, as the Sepoys came to dead halt. "They would not attack us, but no doubt they were under the impression that ultimately we must fall into their hands.
 Several shots were exchanged, but the Sepoys were careful not to expose them selves. Thus the weary hours rolled slowly by, while I wished a dozen times that had boats crew well armed from the Banshee.
 1t was Marshman's plan to cross the bridge under cover of the darkness, and steal quietly along the opposite bank un- til we rea' he1 point opposite the schooner, but ourplans were doomed to be capsiZed in an instant.
 "The Thunder of horses feet suddenly broke the somewhat monotonous silence that had fallen upon us. An exultant yell followed in rapid succession, while Marshman, who had started to his feet revolver in hand, took in the situation at glance.
 "'Hurry the girls across the bridge lieutenant Everything depends now, upon your promptness. The Sowars have received endorsements from the crowd who pillaged the bungalow. Just listen to the noisy devils trying to ar range an attack
 'The bridge was a frail affair, swaying to and fro with an ominous grinding with every breath of the strong breeze which was drawing directly down the narrow and rocky channel. The pent up waters rushed boiling and bubbling through the channel, the foam and ed dies being sufficient to turn the head and shake the confidence of strong man.
 "Clasping Esther in my arms, stepped lightly upon the structure, keeping my eye fixed on the Jhaw jungle. It was fortunate l had my sea legs on. or I oh %ol the oscillation was so great.
 "Darting back I gained the side of Marshman in time to lend him a hand with my revolver.
 Stimulated to action by the addition they had received, five Sowars came tearing along the narrow causeway at a furious gallop with the intention of rid ing us down. .. ..t g..
 'Their eyes were flashing with fana- ticism and fury, their silver gray uni- forms splashed with dust and foam as they waved their sabres aloft in antici- patton of all easy victory. But our hands were steady, the revolvers proved true to their masters, and five Pandies lay piled, one above the other, forming species of breast-work before us.
 "'Now, lieutenant, take care of Julia, and God bless you for what you have done. Do not finger. Never mind me. I'll cover your retreat
 "There was no time to argue the point; every moment was precious; so, taking the petite Julia in my arms, had the pleasure of depositing her beside her sister. t- s. ..r.. .--. -.tt -t F.. .l
 "A crash and Q shriek from the girls startled me, and. glancing over my shoulder, I beheld Marshman waving his cutlass toward us, and the next in. stant he had disappeared. .... ...f.
 '"The brave fellow, in his devotion and love, had severed the fastenings of the bridge, completely cutting of his re. treat, and at the same time baf1ing the Sepoys.
 The sun had disappeared, the deep shadows of the enormous date palms al- ready obscured the river, but sufficient light remained for me to detect the sinewy form of the army officer as he swung from rock to rock in his perilous descent to the river. sHf4.Faa
 q had withdrawn with the two ladies into the obscurity of the jungle, where it would be impossible for the Pandies to see us, but we could watch all that was transpiring on the opposite side with ease.
 '8Iarshman had all but gained the water. when the Sepoys, shouting and cursing in Hindoostanee, made their ap- pearance on the rocky bluff, with car pines unslung. ready for use. la
 "Without 8 moments hesitation my friend threw himself headlong into the water, which frothed and hissed as he disappeared.
 "For an instant his head appeared above the surface; the carbines were dis charged simultaneously, and the bullets Aayy thick and fast ahout 4ha gallant fol.