The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-09-01

done. Do not linger. Never mind me.
Phi cover your retreat.
s'Dhere 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,,
ga crash and shrek from the girls
startled me, and, glancing over my |
shoulder, beheld Marshman waving his |
eutlass toward us, and the next instant
he had disappeared. Il
"The brave fellow, in his devotion and
love, had severed the fastenings of the
bridge, completely cutting off his re-
treat, and aL the same time battling the
Sepoys.
, HThe sun had disappeared, the deep
shadows of the enormous date palms al
ready obsoured 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 perllous
descent to the river.
81 had Withdrawn with the two ladies
into the obscutity Of the jungle, where
it would be impossible for the Pandies
to see us, but We could watch all that
was transpirtng on the opposite side with
ease.
"Marshman had all but gained the
water, when the Sepoys, shouting and
cursing in Hindoostanee, made their ap-
pearanoe on the rocky blut, with car
bines unslung ready for use.
Without u moments hesitation my
friend threw himself headlong into the
water, which frothed and Kissed as he
disappeared.
"For an instant his head appeared
above the surface; the carbines were
discharged simultaneously, and the bull
let's few thick and fast about the gallant
fellow, who, to my horror, threw up his
arms and sank, out of sight.
"The yells and shouts Of exultation
| from the Sowars proved that they, too,
had witnessed the success OF their
craftsmanship, and, apparently salts
| fed, they remounCed their horses, while
| 1, sOrroWful and silent, undertook to
| pilot the ladies through the jungle bor-
| derIng on the river bank.
sit was DARK asthe devil. Poor Esther,
| in an agony OF grief, was clinglng to me
ON one side, mourning the sad tate OF
her noble lover; and Julia--Well, she re-
quired some consolation, also.
"My progress was slow. Every mo-
ment J. expected to hear the growl of a
| tiger or the hiss Of some serpent; but,
thank Heaven, was spared that.
''As well as | was able, l Kept the riv-
| er i'll view. The moon hat risen, and L
never more gladly welcomed that lumin-
| airy. Slowly and cautiously L felt my
way along, clearing the thoruS and un-
derbrush from The pathway as well as |
could. .... ..
"a sharp cracking OF limbs and dry
twigs from the direction Of the river
caused my heart to leap within me, and,
hastily freeing my arms, stood on the
defensive, with cutlaSs i'll one hand and
| revolver i'll the other.
81 could dihly make out dark figure
| dashing through the trees, regardless OF
brambles, and made sure the Sepoys
had succeeded in forcing passage
| across The river.
"rhe sharp click of my revolver was
distictly heard on the still air; the figure
! sank suddenly to cover, while voice in
cautious tone demanded:
"'Is that you, Lieutenant? DON'T
fire.
Il was so taken by surprise that !
could make no reply, and, almost before
| was aware OF it, Fred. Marshman, drip
ping wet, stood before us, with Esther
sobDiug in his arms.
81 was SO overcome, gentlemen, that
| L declare, | found myself alongside the
little Ju ia, who leaned her head on my
shoulder, while folded her in my arms
"But L think L have gone about far
enough, and you mus have a very good
idea now how l come to marry in India.
"We reached The Banshee in safety,
much TO the disappoin lment OF the mid
dy--I expect-who would have liked to
have taken the schooner under the guns
of the tlag-sbip as commander.
"We reached Calcutta, the girls were
soon with their oyerjOyed father and
mother, who welcomed them as from the
grave, and before the year expired q
double wedding was performed.
"Fred. is colonel in Her MaJesty's
army, and stands high at the Horse
Guards. We correspond regularly, ana
in his last he informed me that his
eldest boy, who is named after me, is
anxious to come to the States and enter
our navy. Steward another glass ol
monopole-and, gentlemen, allow me to
drink your healths."