Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1878-08-08
ADVENTURE WITH sEPOYs.

1t was lonesome, dreary spo.
not far from the banks of the Gan
ges, where the military bungalow o
Harry Eversly was situated. Bull
of brick, and coated with white
chenam, it appeared to be halfsmotll
cred amid a thick hedge of prickl.
pears where snakes and jackals lurk
ed.
:. The furniture was Of the PLANES
description; and we'll worn at that
but it was all the same to the youns
but stalwart soldier, who gazed list
lessly through the open window, t.
where the distant grove of teak anc
pepul trees rose darkly against the
clear blue sky OF night, and where
the crimson fire-flcs we're flashing
IN and among the slender shafts ot
the graceful bamboo.
Harry was a thorough soldier,
strong in frame and cool in head,
having served with distinction
against the Sikhs. But despite hit
prowess and valor IN the field OF
Mars, it was reserved for a soft,
blue eyed, golden-haired maiden to
vanquish the stout heart OF the Tar
ricr. Harry sighed amid his reye-
rie, emitting a cloud of smoke from
his lips as he twined the plant stem
of his hookah around his fingers
The monotonous creak of the pun
kah and the drowsy hmm of the IN
sects amid the shrubs outside prov :
ed insufficient to divert his thoughts.
Close to his hand lay his sword
and pistols, for the ominous mutter,
ings Of the Sepoy rebellion already
overshadowed India, and he knew
not at what moment the detach-
ment of native troops under his
command might turn upon him.
No European laid his head upon
the pillow with the certainty OF
being live man in the morning,
and many poor fellow lay at night
listening with nervous attention to
the clang of the camp ghurries or
gongs, on which the sentinels struck
the time, and thought perhaps that
each reverberation might be the
signal for revolt.
Suddenly through the open win
dow of the bungalow rocket with
its glIttcring train of sparks was
seen to ascend in fiery arch. In
silence the soldier watched the
strange signal soaring into the clear
blue sky until it burst, casting
brilliant shower OF sparks on every
side. A faint inurnur like the dis
tant purring of tiger fell upon the
ear, then all was silent as before.
The room was full of wavcring
shadows, bnt dimly relieved BY the
ftful light of the night lamp, and
a slight movement III the further
recesses Of the apartment was sutfi-
cient for Harry to grasp his ready
revolver as he strove to pierce the
darkness.
For aught he knew a Thug or
naked thief, with skin we'll oiled,
might be lnrking,in distant corner,
or, perchance, a deadly cobra or
hideous hyena, all Of which aboun-
ded.
Judge, then, of the soldiers as
tonishment and sickening anxiety,
when he beheld the slight form Of
graceful native girl, whom he re-
coxnizcG at once as the ayah or at
tendant of his affianced bride.
"Safru, what brings YOU hither
at this hours For heavens sake,
speak Has anything happened
to the men sahib-to Miss Florence
your mistress
81 come to cave her I love and
servd from terrible fate, and to
warn you Of J our doom, sahib, which
already overshadows you with the
mantle of death. The mem sahib
is destined for the Raiah of SPAN
poora, and at midnight your men
will Join the rebles. The signal,
rocket, has anhonnced that all is
ready. l can do no more but i'm
woke the aid of Brahma to save
those l love. You must away at
once. silva be thanked, have been
true to my salt, and with soft sigh
the native maiden disappeared as
mysterionsly and silent as she had
come.
For moment the resolute sold
Ter appeared paralysed by the ap=
palling information, impaired 30
suddenly, but his irresolntion was
OF short duration. With an impetus
ous exclamation he started to his
feet, dashed the hookah from his
hand and glanced stealthily on all
sidee as he buckled on bis arms, to
ascertain if bis movements were
being watched by some dark skin
ned spy. But all WAS silence, and
with rapid glance be satisfied
himself that his two Colts revol-
Ters were capped and ready for tise.
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