The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-04-15
al did it for Sahib Armstrong;


sake" replied the boy, proudly, "be-
cause he was good to me-
But, if the troops are beyond the
river, how can we communicate With
them?" asked Mrs. Currie, who, awak-
ened by the shouting, had risen and
joined the group. ssThey may not
pass near enough to hear the firing, and
we have no means of sending them
word" ti-r e sE A1 L
''Fear nothing for that, mem-sahib
(madam),'' said the Hindoo boy,
quietly; 81 will carry them word my
self.''
''But how can you possibly do it"
cried Mr.. Currie, thunderstruck by the
confident tone in which this mere child
spoke of task from which the hardest
veteran might have shrunk. =
Listen, Sahib," answered Ismai.
81 will slip out of the house and dash
into the enemy's lines as if / were
deserving from you to them; and you
can tell your people to fire a shot or two
after me with blank cartridges as we go.
Then the Sepoys will receive me kindly,
and I'll tell them that you're all dying
of thirst, and that they need only wait
one day more to be sure of you, SO that
they won't care to make another attack.
Then, when they have no suspicion, and
think I'm quite one of themselves, I'll
steal away and slip across the river.
'But are you quite sure the Sepoys
will believe your" asked Major Arm
strong, doubtfully:
"They'll believe this, anyhow" re-
piled the boy, deliberately making a
deep cash in his bare shoulder, and
he glided from the room, followed by
the Major.
The plan was soon explained to the
men below, and moment later Islnal's
dark figure was seen darling like an ar
row across the open space in front of the
building, followed by quick discharge
of blank cartridges from the marksmen
at the loopholes. The sound of firing
drew the attention of the, ASepoys, sew
eral of whom ran forward to meet him.
In another instant he was in the midst
of them.
81 can scarcely see. for those bush
es,' said Colonel Ayres "but he seems
to be showing them the wound on his
shoulder, and telling them it was our
doing. ="
At that moment an exultant yell from
the enemy came pealing through the
still air. *. zsls
That,s-tha story of our being short
of water, for aguinea!" said the Major;
'sit was q very good idea of his. If it
only delays their attack two days longer
there may be time fer help. to arrive
yet. - s8x&
Slowly and YEARLY the long hours of
that fearful day wore on. The heat was
so terrific that even the native soldiers
of the garrison could barely hold their
own against it, and the handful of En-
glishmen were almost helpless. Had
the Sepoys attacked them. then, all
would have been over at one blow, but
hour passed after. hour, and there was
no sign Of an assault. At length, as
afternoon gave place to evening, a move
ment began to. show itself in the enc
my's lines. Their curls Of smoke, rising
above the trees, showed that the even
ing meal was in preparation, and sew
eral figures with pitchers in their hands,
were. seen going toward the river,
among whom the Colonel's keen eye
soon detected Ismail. -...,..-..-
"By George!'' cried the old soldier,
slapping his, knee exultingly, g that
lads worth his weight in gold! There's
his way down to the river right open to
him, without the least chance of sus-
picion! Why, he's born General
nothing less!n ..a IL, .-s.....
Every eye within the walls was now
turned anxiously upon the distant group
fearing to see at any moment some
movement which would show that the
trick was detected. How did Ismail
mean to accomplish -, his purpose?
Would he plunge boldly into the river
without any disguise OF had he some
further stratagem in preparation? No
one could say. Suddenly, as. qIsmail
stopped to plunge his light wooden dip
per in the water, it slipped from his
hands and went floating away down the
stream. A cry of dismay, loud laugh
from the Sepoys, and then the boy was
seen running frantically along the bank,
and trying in vain to clutch. the vessel
as it tloated past. 3 "a
-" What on earth's he up to p. grunted
ehO OoioliCi, ooLlPiClcly lly StilItu.
l see!n. cried Major Armstrong, tri-
umphantly; Z" there's a boat yonder
among the reeds, and, he's making right
for it. Well done, my brave boy!"
But at that moment yell of rage from
the Sepoys told that the trick was dis
covered. Luckily those on the bank had
left their pieces behind, or poor 1smail
would soon have been disposed of; but
the alarm instantly brought up crowd
of their armed comrades, whose bullets
fell like hail around the boat and its gal
liant little pilot. ea@5s 3e'a
"Let us FIRE a volley and make a
show of sallying. out,'' said the Col
onel; "it'll take their attention from
hirnanz@ Sal as8 f7FAE SEl
But in this he, was mistaken. The
first rattle of musketry did indeed re-
call most of Ismail's assai1ants, but at
least a dozen were left who kept up an
'unceasing fire, striking the boat again
and again. All at once the Colonel
dashed his glass to the floor with
frightful oath. Between two gusts
of smoke he had seen the boat