The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-11-19

ping his knee eXultingly,that lads worth
his weight in gold There his way down
to the rivcrnght open tohim without the
least chance of suspicion. Why he's
born entleman--nothing less
Every eye within the walls are now
turned anXiousy upon the distant group
fearing to see at any moment some move
ment which would show that the trick
was detected, How did Ismal mean to
accomplish this purpose! Would he
plunge boldly into the river, without any
gem in preparation? No one could
say.
suddenly, as Ismail stopped to plunge
his light wooden dipper into the water,it
slipped from his hands and went floating
down 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 catch the YES
sci as it iloated past.
What on earth is he up to?' glunted
the Colonel, completely mystiicd
i see. cried Major Armstrong. tri-
umphantly; there's boat yonder among
the reeds, and he's making right for it.
Well done my brave boy!
But at that moment n yell of rage from
the Sepoys told them he was discovered
Luckily those on bank had left their
pieces behind,or poor Ismail would soon
have been disposed of but the alarm in
stantly brought up a crowd of their arm
ed comrades. whose bullets fell like
hail around the boat and its gallant little
pilot.
Let us fire a volley and make a show
of sallying out, said the Colonel; it'll
take their attention from him.
But in this he was mistaken.
The first rattle of musketrv from be
hind the house did not recall most Of Is
mails assailants, but ut least a dozen
We're left, who kept up an icessant firing
striking the boat again and again.
All at once the Colonel dashed his
glass to the floor with frightful
oath.
Between the two gusts of smoke he
had seen the boat turn suddenly overland
20 whriug down the river, keel W
ward
There's an end to the poor lad, NUT
tered the veteran, brokcnly. God bless
him for he is brave little fellow. And,
now, old friend, we must just die hard for
there is no hope left
The first few hours Of night passed
quietly, and. the exhausted defenders, ut
terly worn out, slept as if drugged with
opium. But little after midnight the
quick ears of the two veteran officers
the only watchers in the whole garrison,
except the sentrieS themsclvcs-ca Ight
faint stirring III the surrounding thick
cts which seemed to argue some move
ment on the pant OF the enemy.
Listening intcntly for a few moments,
they felt certain that they were right,a and
lost no time in arousing their men.
The scanty stores of food were opened
once more, and, ,crouching together in the
darkness,the doomed men took what they
| fully believed to be their last meal on
earth.
They're coming !! said Major Arm
strong, straining his eyes into the gloom
through II loophole i hear them creep
ing forward,though | don't see them
What the duce was that! exclaimed
the Colonel, suddenly 1T looked like a
frey arrow flying past.
Its worse than than said the Major
in low voice. The rascas are shooting
lighted chips of bamboo on to the roof to
set it on fire. Send the women up with
buckets to flood the thatch; there's not Il
moment to loose.
I'll 90 and see to it myself, cried Mr.,
Curric, Fastening out of the room
But the power of this new weapon had
already become fatally manifest The
house was an old one, and dry rs tnde
from the prolonged heat and as fast a
the flames were quenched in one plac,
they broke out in another,
When day dawned the fire had alrcad,
got a firm hold of one corner of th
building, and crushing discharge wa
poured upon all who attempted to eXtin
guish it, while the triumphant yell OF tn
human tigers below told them that the
felt sure of their prey.
It's all over with us, old fellow sal
the Colonel, grasping the old comradc
hand; but at least we shall have don
our duty.
Give me one of your pistols, whispet
ed Mrs. Currie to her husband.in vote
that was not her own. i must not ia
into their hands alive
At that moment Major Armstrou
seen to start and bend forward, as if Ii
tening intently; forhe thought-althoug
he could scarcely believe his ears-th;
he had suddenly caught faint sound ,
distant firing.
. In another instant he heard it agai
and this time there could be no MOI
doubt, for several of the others la
caught it likewise, and CLEAN of hol
once more lighted up their haggai
faces and bloodshot eyes.
Louder and nearer came the WELDON
sound, while the sudden terror and co
fusion visible among the enemy shove
that thcy,too, were at no loss to guess i
, meaning.
Then high above all the din rose Il
well known 'Ilurrah ! and through Il
smoke clouds broke charging ling
f glittering bayonets and ruddy Engli,
faces, sweeping away the cowardly mu
: dcrcrs aS the sun chascs the moruil
t mist.
That boys worth his weight in col,
said Colonel Annesley, as, Il few hou
later, he listened to lsmals account
, how he had diyed under the boat a,
, kept it between himself ard the SepoN
that they might think him browne
Hes the pluckiest little fellow I've Sc,
! and. although he belongs TO the Maic
e I'm going to take my share of hell,
him ON, by joyc!