Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-03-26

bhemt 0dkeu NifBs OuItlet VINO, AWak-
ened by the shouting, had risen and
joined the group. "They may not
pass near enough to hear the firing, and
we have no means Of sending them
word"
Fear nothing for that, mem-sahib'
(madam) said the Hindoo boy, quietly;
| will carry them word myself"
"But how can you possibly do itP''
cried Mr.. Currie, thunderstruck by the
confident tone in which this mere child
spoke Of a task from which the hardest
veteran might well have shrunk.
Listen, sahib," answered IsmaiL
81 win slip out Of the house and make a
dash into the enemy's lines as if were
deserting from you to them; and you
can tell your people TO fire shot or two
after me with blank cartridge as ] 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 youP' asked Major Arm
strong, doubtfully: "a.
They'll believe this, anyhow. re-
piled the boy, deliberately making a
deep cash in his bare shoulder and
staining his white frock with the blood,
as he glided from the room, followed by
the Major
The plan was soon explained to the
men below, and moment later Ismairs
de RI Gor,r,.o xrroe ooo,, Iortino- lflro a
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 Sepoys, sew
eral of whom ran toward to meet him.
In another instant he was in the midst
of them.
Il 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 yellfrom
the enemy came peeling throught the
still air.
"That's the story of our being short
of water, for a guinea'' said the Major;
lit was a very good idea of his II it
only delays their attack two days longer
there may be time for help to arrive
yet"
Slowly and wearily 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 aft
ernOOn gave place to evening, move
ment began to show itself in the ene-
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 Colone's keen eye
soon detected Ismail.
"By Georgep' cried the old soldier,
slapping his knee exultingly, "that
lads worth his weight in gold There
his way down to the river right open to
him, without the least chance Of sus-
picionl Why, he's born General-noth-
ing less!''
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 d6aected. How did Ismail
mean to accomplish his purpose
Would he plunge boldly into the riYer
without any disguise, or had he some
further stratagem in preparationP Nc
one could say. Suddenly, as Ismail
stopped to plunge his light wooden dip
per into the water, it slipped from his
hands and went floating away down the
stream. A cry of dsmay, 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 floated past.
"What ON earth's he up TOP" grunted
the Colonel, completely mystifed.
"I seer' 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 yell Of rage
from the Sepoys told that the trick was
discovered. Luckily, those on the bank
had left their pieces behind, or pool
Ismail would soon have been disposed
of; but the alarm instantly brought up d
crowd of their armed comrades, whose
bullets fell like hail around the boat
and its gallant little pilot
"Let us fire volley and make show
of sallying out, " said the Colonel; "it'll
take their attention from him."
But in this he was mistaken. The
first rattle of musketry did indeed re-
call most of Ismails assailants, but al
least 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 d
frightful oath. Between two gusts Of
smoke he had seen the boat turn sud
denly over, and go whtling away down
the dark river, keel upward.
"There's an end Of the poor lad,N
muttered the veteran, brOkenly. "GOd
bless him for brave little fellow And
now, old friend, we must just die hard,
for there's no hope left"
The first few hours of the night
passed quietly, and the exhausted de.
Tenders, utterly worn out, slept as i
drugged with opium. But little aftei
midnight, the quick ears of the two vet,
eran ofilcers-the only watchers IN the
whole garrison, except the sentries
themselves--ca caught faint stirring in
the surrounding thickets, which seemed
TO argue some movement on the part OF
the enemy. Listening intently for a
few moments, they felt certain that
they were right, and lost no time In
awakening their men, The scanty
stores of food were opened once more,
and, crouching together In the dark