Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-09-18

grasp. 1t would have gone hard with
Mr.. Davis had not the blade been TRAN
gular with sharp edges. But when, ex-
erting all his force, he gave desperate
pull, the sharp edge cut through his an
tagonist'S hands, inficting severe
wounds, and the spear was jerked out
of his grippe. Alter that, no one ventur-
ed to come to close quarters with the
Judge, and his assailants contented
themselves with keeping up for some
time a desultory and harmless fire.
Finally they grew tired of this vase
of ammunition, and proceeded to
wreak their vengence upon the judges
furniture. as they could not reach his
body. After they had smashed up
everything they could lay their hands
upon, there was a mysterious and I'M
accountable silence. Not a sound OF
any kind was to be heard. Had the
toiled assassins given up the attack in
less formidable victims? One of the
female servants cautiously peered over
the parapet. A shower of bullets rat
tied round in an instant, and one of
them pierced her arm. 1t was clear
then that the house was surrounded
and vigilantly watched. Again all was
silent. The judge dared not leave his
post vantage to reconnOitre, though
the silence was more trying than the
noise. Could they be going to fire the
house, and give the hapless inmates
but the choice between massacre and
burning?
Two hours had elapsed since the
first assault upon the trap-door; surely
the news of the rising must have
reached Erskine's camp, and troops
must be on the way to Benares. Sud-
denly the silence was again broken;
there was the sound of footsteps ascend
ing the staircase. Once more the Judge
set his teeth; grasped his spear, land pre-
pared to sell his life dearly. The steps
came nearer, then a turbaned head APP
peared. In another instant the up
raised spear would have been driven
through the turban into the skull be-
meath it, when the intruder lifted his
head and showed the white and with
cred face of one of the judges own
body-servants. Fearing treachery,
however, Mr.. Davis kept him at bay
until he was assured that the party CON
sisted of friends. He then descended,
and found the new arrivals to be fifteen
sepoys, and few of his own police. AS
the sepoys we're armed with musket
and bayonet, and had fifteen rounds
apiece, the judge felt that he was now
equal to standing siege, and heard
without dismay that Vizier Ali was pre-
pairing for another attack in greater
force. Meanwhile he inquired if any
thing had been head of Mr.. Cherry.
He was told that to the best OF his in
the Englishmen with him had been
killed. The judge was still musing
over this melancholy news when he was
reused by another alarm-the rattle
of sabres and the clatter of horses
hoofs A hurried glance from the win
dow, however, set all his fears at rest;
for in the new corners he recognized a
troop of cavalry from Erskine's camp.
The first hearty greeting over, the Of
fcer in command briefly explained
that Immediately on the receipt of the
news of Vizier Ais insurrection, he
had been ordered to hasten
forward with his small force, and
announce the approach of re-en-
forcements they had ridden first to Mr..
Cherry's; and there they found the
house sacked, and the dead bodies Of
Mr.. Cherry and four other Englishmen
lying mutilated in the grounds. Then
they hurried to Judge Davis's, expect
ing to find similar horrible spectacle
awaiting them there; but we're over
joyed to discover that here at least they
were not too late. Little more remains
to be told. All danger was now over.
A strong force under General Erskine
arrived shortly afterward; and though
there was some severe street fighting,
yet before nightfall Vizier Ais palace
was sLormed, his followers dispersed,
and order restored in the city. The
arch-conspirator himself, however.
escaped, and at the head of band of
marauders made himself troublesome
for few months on the frontier, but
was eventually betrayed to the English
by the Raiah of Jeypore, with whom
he had taken refuge, and kept in close
confinement until his death.
By a curious coincidence, Vizier Ali
was brought into Benares prisoner on
the anniversary of the memorable day
which had witnessed the massacre of
Mr.. Cherry and the heroic defense Of
Judge Davis.
AS for the gallant Horatius of the
stair case, he had received the due
need of his valor. His grateful fellow
countrymen at Benares hailed him as
their savior from cruel massacre
And the encouragement, the Marquis
of Wellesley, wrote expressing his high
admiration of the splendid courage and
GOODNESS displayed by Mr.. Davis on that
occasion; to which alone, he said, twas
to be attributed the safety of the Eng
lish residents, and the salvation of the
city from piIlage." For there could be
no doubt that by holding the Vizier
and his forces at bay for two hours, the
judge enabled the other European res
idents to make their escape to General
Erskine's camp, and kept the Insured
ton from spreading into serious and
formidable rebellion. Nor was there
wanting more substantial recognition
of the judges gallantry and resolution.
He was shortly afterward removed to
Calcutta, where he was promoted to a
post of high honor and emolument.
And at the time of his death he was
one of the most respected and infuen-
tial directors of the great company
whose interests he had so faithfully and
bravoly served.
At the mansion of Hollywood, near
Bristol, the seat of his son, Sir John
Francis Davis, who for his distinguished