Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-08-16

the loopholed walls peer the muzzles of
ready rifles, showing how steady the be-
sieged garrison stands at bay against
the countless enemies, whose dark, fierce,
faces and glittering weapons are visible
amid the half-ruined building and mat
ted thickets all around.
The Sepoy mutiny of 1857 is blazing
sky high over Northern India, and Col.
Ayres is blockaded in Huttee-Bagh,
with a certainty of hideous death for
himself and every man of the few who
are still true to him, unless help comes
speedily.
Day was just breaking, when two men
held whispered counsel in one of the up
per rooms.
s'No fear of the water running short. !"
said Major Armstrong, shut even upon
half-rations the food will be out in four
days MORE"
Sand then we will 60 just right at
them and cut our way through or die for
it" growled the old colonel, with a
grim smile on his iron face, for, with all
his harshness and injustice, Col. Ayres
was "grit" to the backbone. 1--WE
mustn't say anything to them about it,
though" added he, with a side glance
at Mr.. Currie, who, standing in the
further corner, was anxiously watching
the thin. worn face of his sleeping wife.
At that moment a loud cheer from
below startled them both. and the next
moment Ismail (the "major's boy" as
every one now calls him) burst into the
room, and with a glow of unwonted ex-
citemont on his dark face.
"Sahib !" cried he, ''there is hope for
US yet A detachment of Ingleez Eng
lish) are coming up the other bank of
the river; if we can send word to them
as they pass we are saved !'
"How do you know ?' asked the ma
jor eagerly.
81 heard the Sepoys say SO, while |
was lying hid among the bushes yonder'
answered the lad.
"Among the bushes yonder % roared
the colonel, facing around. "Have you
really been in the midst of those cut
throat Williams listening to what they
said Whatever did you do that for %
81 did it for Sahib Armstrong; sake
replied the boy, proudly, "because he
was good to me.
The colonel turned hastily away tc
hide the flush of not unmanly shame
that over-spread his hard face and
Armstrong smiled slightly as he heard
him mutter-.
"By Jove these chaps aren't Sc
black as they are painted after ALL"
"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. "They may not pass
near enough to hear the firing, and w
have aot means of sending them word.
"Fear nothing for that mem-sahib'
| (madam) said the Hindoo boy, quietly
Il will carry them word myself"
"But how can you possibly do it 2
cried Mr.. Currie, thunderstruck by tn,
confident tone in which this mere chil(
spoke of task from which the har6ies
veteran might we'll have shrunk.
Listen, sahib," answered 1smail
81 will slip out of the house, and MAKE
dash into the enemy's lines, as if
was deserted from you to them an
you can tell your people to Ere sho
or two after me with blank cartridge
as | 90. Then the Sepoys will receiv
me kindly, and I'll tell them that yor
are all dying of thirst, and that the
need only wait one day more to be sur
of you, SO that they won't care to max
another attack. Then, when they hav
no suspicion, and think that I'm quit
one of themselves, I'll steal away, an
slip across the river
"But are you quite sure the Sepoy
will believe you % asked Major Arm
strong, doubtfully.
| They'll believe this, anyhow" re
! piled the boy, deliberately making dee
| cash in his bare shoulder. and stainin
his white frock with the blood, as
| glided from the room. followed by tn
major.
| The plan was soon explained to th
men below, and a moment later Ismail
dark figure was seen darting like an a
row across the open space in front of tn
building, followed by quick discharg
of blank cartridges from the marksme
at the loopholes. The sound of the Fl
ing drew the attention of the Sepoy
several of whom ran forward to me,
him. In another instant he was in tt
midst of them.
81 can scarcely see for those bushes,
said Col. Ayres; "but he seems to |
! showing them the wound on his shoul,
er, and telling them that it was our d
ing"
At that moment an exultant yell fro
the enemy came pealing through IL