Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-23
VOL. 75.-3S45. NO. 81.

"Fear nothing for that, mem-sahib,"
(madam) said the Hindoo boy, quietly al
will carry them word myself.
but how can you possibly do IL 2" cried
Mrs. Currie, thunderstruck by the confident
tone in which this mere child spoke of
task from which the hardest veteran might
well have shrunk
Listen, sahib," answered Ismail. 81
will slip out of the house, and make dash
into the enemy's lines, as If was 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 III tell them
that you are all dying Of thirst, and that they
need only wait one day more to be sure Of
you, 80 that they won't care to make another
attack. Then, when they have no suspicion,
and think that I'm quite one of themselves,
I'll steal away and slip across the river"
"But are you quite sure the Sepoys will
believe you ?" asked Major Armstrong,
doubtfully.
"Theyll believe this, anyhow" replied the
boy, deliberately making 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 Ismails dark
figure was seen darting like an arrow across
the open space in front of the building, fol-
lowed by quick discharge of blank car
tridges from the marksmen at the loopholes.
The sound of the firing drew the attention
Of the Sepoys, several of whom ran forward
to meet him. In another instant ne was in
the midst of them.
81 can scarcely see for those bushes" said
Colonel Ayres; "but he seems to be show
ing them the wound on his shoulder, and
telling them it was our doing"
At that moment an exultant veil from the
enemy came pealing through the still air
"Thats the story of our being short of
water, for guineal" said the major; ait
was a very good idea of his. If it only de-
lays their attack two days longer, there may
be time for help to arrive yet"
Slowly and fearfully 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 Englishmen
were all 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, movement began to show itself
in the enemy's lines. Their curls of smoke,
rising above the trees, showed that the even
ing meal was in preparation; and several
figures with pitchers in their hands, were
seen going toward the river, among whom
the colonels keen eye soon detected Ismail.
"By George |" cried the old soldier, slap
ping his knee exultingly, "that lads worth
his weight in gold There's his way down
the river right open to him, without the
least chance of suspicion Why, he's a
born general--nothing 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 detected.
| How did 1smail meau to accomplish his pur-
river, without any disguise, or had he some
further stratagem in preparation No one
could say.
Suddenly, as lsmail stopped to plunge his
light wooden dipper into 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 try
ing in vain to clutch the vessel as it hoated
| past.
"What on earth is he up to 2" grunted the
colonel completely mystified.
9" see" cried Majo Armstrong triumph
antly, "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 poor Ismail would soon
have been disposed of but the alarm in
stantly brought up crowd of their armed
comrades, whose bullets fell like hail around
the boat and its gallant little pilot.
"Lets 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 from the be.
sieged house did indeed recall most of Is
mails asailants, but least dozen were
left who kept up an unceasing fire, striking
the boat again and again.
All at once the colonel dashed his glass tc
the floor with frightful oath. Between
two gusts of smoke he had seen the boat
turn suddenly over, and go whirling away
down the dark river, keel upward
, "There's an end of the poor lad," NUT
tered the veteran, brokenly. "God bles,
him for brave little fellow And now
old friend, we must just die hard for there,
no hope left"
The first few hours of the night passed
quietly and the exhausted defenders, utterl,
worn out, slept as if drugged with opium
, But little after midnight the quick ear
of the two veteran ofhcers-the only watch
) ers in the whole garrison, except the sen
tries themselves-caught faint stirring il
! the surrounding thickets, which seemed t,
, argue some movement on the part of tn,
, enemy.
Listening intently for few moments
, they felt certain that they were right, ant
t lost no time in waking their men. Th
D scanty stores of food were opened once more
and, crouching together in the darkness, tn
:. doomed men took what they fully believed Il
/ be their last meal on earth.
! They're comingl' said Major Arm
!. through loophole. "i hear them creepin,
/ forward, though can't see them"
J, "What the deuce was that" exclaime,
e the colonel, suddenly. at looked like
' fiery arrow flying past"
I Its worse than that" said the major, il
e low voice. "The rascals are shooting
e lighted chips of bamboo on to the roof +
4 set it on fire. Send the women up wit
buckets to flood the thatch-theres not
v moment to lose
/ am go and see to it myself" cried Mrs
a Currie, fastening out of the room.
( But the power of this new weapon had a
e ready become fatally manifest. The hous
was an old one, and dry as tinder from tn
o prolonged heat, and as fast as the flame
r were quenched in one place they broke ou
in another.
y When day dawned, the fire had alread
: got I'm hold of one corner of the building
s and crushing discharge was poured upol
all who attempted to extinguish it, Will
a the triumphant yell of the human tigers bs
low told that they felt sure of their prey.
Q ats all over with us, old fellow" said tn
s colonel, grasping his comrades hand, but
0 at least, we shall have done our duty"
z "Give me one of your pistols" whispere
q Mrs. Currie to her husband, in voice tina
n was not her own. must not fall into thei
z hands alive"
At that moment Major Armstrong wa
seen to start and bend forward, as il listen
4 ing intentlyi for he thought-although h
v could scarcely believe his ears--that he ha
4 suddenly caught faint sound of dstar
l firing,
In another instant he heard it again. an
q this time there could be no doubt, for sewers
q of the others had caught it likewise, and
4 CLEAN of hope once more lighted up thei
a haggard faces and bloodshot eyes.
Louder and nearer came the welcom
~ sound, while the sudden terror and conf
sion visible among the enemy showed ths
thav too wara at no loss IN pnasa its maa,