Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-23

cool of the evening.
On three sides the house was surrounded
by its compound, a large inclosed space serv-
ing the purpose of courtyard; but the
fourth was only separated by a small patch
of garden from the public road, along which
a number of native women were passing,
with their pitchers on their heads.
The sight of them naturally turned the
conversation upon a favorite subject with
all Anglo-Indians, viz the character of the
natives and the best method Of dealing with
them.
"There's only one way" said the colonel,
emphatically; tell 'em what they're to do,
make 'em do it, and thrash 'em well if they
don't. That's my way"
"Well, venture to differ from you there,
colonel" said Mr. Currie, quietly. "Ive
had to do some thrashing once or twice,
own; but most of my servants get along
without it, and they serve me excellently,
assure you."
al wish you'd been in my place, then," re-
torted the colonel; "you'd have changed
your opinion warrant Why, the year be-
fore last, when l had charge Of two bat
talions of the rascals down at Sutterpoor,
because there wasn't another queens officer
within reach,-just like my confounded
iuOh '-tuOic was uo BeJIilH dHftuluS uOue
unless did it myself. BY Jove sir l
had to be everything at once-my own quar-
termaster, my own sergeantmajor, my own
caterer and"
"And your own trumpeter, Colonel Ayres?"
asked Mrs. Currie with an arch smile
The colonels broad face Redeemed omi-
nously, and an explosion seemed imminent,
when sudden clamor of angry voices from
the road below drew them all to the front of
the veranda.
The cause of the disturbance was visible
at once. Two half-druuken English soldiers
staggering in the road had come into vio-
lent contact with native boy who was run
ming past; and one of them, enraged at the
collision, had felled the poor lad to the
ground, and was unclasping his own belt
with the evident intention OF beating him
numerically.
"Served the young whelp right" shouted
the colonel, rubbing his hands; "that's Just
what they all want"
The other officer, Major Armstrong;
popularity called Major Strongarm,-was a
huge, brawny, silent man, whose forte lay in
acting rather than talking.
During the whole discussion he had sat
like huge bronze statue, never uttering a
word; but at the sight Of this man ill-using
this child he woke up rather startlingly.
To leap to the ground twelve feet below,
to dart across the garden, to vault over the
high stockade beyond, was the work of a
moment for the athletic major; and in
| another instant he had raised the fallen boy
tenderly from the ground, while saying tc
the foremost soldier in the low, compressed
tone of man who means what he says
| BE off with you''
| And who the deuce are you, shown ye
nose in where you amt wanted ?" roared tn,
infuriated rufian, to whose eyes the major
plain evening dress bore no token of his be
ing an officer. "Jst you"
The sentence was never flushed.
At the sound of that insolent defiance
Armstrong; sorely tried patience gave wa,
altogether, and the strong right arm whicl
had hewed its way through whole squadron
of Sikh cavalry, fell like sledge hamme
upon his opponents face, dashing him to tn
ground as if he had been blown from tn,
mouth of gun.
"Well done, major I" shouted Mr.. Curri
from above. "You deserve your name ant
no mistake"
At the name of "maior" the soldier tool
to his heels at once, and Armstrong, withou
even looking at his PROSTATE antagonist, pro
ceeded to examine the hurts OF the boy.
The latter was sorely bruised in man
places, and the blood was trickling freel
over his swarthy face; but the little her
still did his best to stand erect, and to keel
down every sign of the pain which he wa
enduring.
you're. brave lad and you'll make
soldier some day." said the major to him il
Hindoostanee "Come with me and III SO
that no one molests you again"
The lad seized the huge brown hand whic
had defended him so bravely, and kissed
with the deepest reverence and the tw
walked away together.
Six months have come and gone, and Nj
Currie's house presents very differen
spectacle The pretty garden is trample
into dust and mire, and the bodies of me
and horses are lying thick among the fral
ments of the half-destroyed stockade. A
the windows of the house are blocked VI
and through the loopholed walls peer tn
muzzles of ready rifles, showing how stead
the besieged garrison stands at bay again:
the countless enemies, whose dark, fierc
amid the half-ruined building and matte
thickets all around.
The Sepoy mutiny of 1857 is blazing SIX
|
Ayres is blockaded in Huttee-Bagh, with
certainty of hideous death for himse
and every man of the few who are still tru
TO him, unless help comes speedily.
Day was Just breaking, when two me
held whispered counsel in one of the uppt
rooms.
"No fear of the water running short,
said Major Armstrong " but even upon hal
rations the food will be out in four da,
more"
"Aud then we will go just right at theI
and cut our way through or die for it
growled the old colonel, with grim smil
on his iron face, for, with all his harshne.
and injustice, Colonel Ayres was grit " [
the backbone. "We mustn't say anythin
to them about it, though" added he, with
side glance at Mr.. Currie, who, standing i
! the further corner, was anxiously watchin
the thin, worn face of his sleeping wife.
} At that moment loud cheer from belo
startled them both, and the next momer
lsmail (the "major's boy" as everybod
now called him) burst into the room, with
glow of unwonted excitement on his dar
face.
: "Sahibl" cried he there is hope for l
yet A detachment of Ingleez (English) al
coming up the other bank of the river
we can send word to them as they pass v
: are saved ?"
show do you know ?" asked the majC
, eagerly.
81 heard the Sepoys say 30, while W,
lying hid among the bushes yonder," a
swered the lad.
: "Among the bushes yonder 2" roared Il
colonel, facing around. "Have you real
been in the midst of those cutthroat villain
, listening to what they said I Whatever d
I you do that for 2"
! al did il for Sahib Armstrong; sake
replied the boy proudly, " because he wi
good TO me"
The colonel turned hastily away to hid
I the flush of not unmanly shame that owe
! spread his hard face; and Armstrong smile
, slightly as he heard him mutter-
These chaps aren't so black as they al
, painted after ALL"
} But if the troops are beyond the rive
l how can we communicate with them 7
. asked Mrs. Currie, who, awakened by th
| shonting had riaan and ioinad the oron,