The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-12-16

across the high stockade beyond, was
but the work of q moment for the ath-
letic major; and III another instant he
had lifted the fallen boy tenderly from
the ground, while saying to the foremost
soldier, in the low, compressed tone OF
man who generally means just what he
says:
BE off with you y
And who the deuce are you, shown
yer nose in where you amt wanted? 2
roared the Infatuated ruffian, to whose
eyes the Majors plain evening dress bore
no token of his being an officer; "jist
you"
The sentence was never finished.
At the sound of that insolent defiance,
Armstrong; sorely tried patience gave
way altogether, and the powerful right
hand which had hewed its way through
whole squadron of Sink cavalry, fell
like sledge hammer upon his oppo-
nents face, dashing him to the ground
As if he had been blown from the mouth
of gun.
"Well done, Major Armstrong y
shouted Mr.. Currie from above You
deserve your name, and no mistake"
At that formidable name the soldier
strong, without even looking at his pros
trate antagonist, proceeded to examine
the hurts of the boy.
The latter was sorely bruised in many
places. and the blood was trucking free
" over his swarthy face; but the little
hero still did his best to stand erect,
and to keep down every sign OF the pain
which he was enduring.
l lad o,NI a n
a soldier some day." said the major to
him in Hindostanee. Come with me,
and l will see that no one molests you
again"
The lad seized the huge brown hand
which had defended him so braveiy, and
kissed it with the deepest reverence;
and the two then walked away together.
Six months have come and gone, and
Mr.. Currie's hospitable house presents
very different spectacle. The pretty
garden is tramped into dust and mire,
and the bodies of men and horses are
lying thick among the fragments of the
half destroyed stockade.
| All the windows of the house are
blocked up, and through the loop-holed
walls peer the muzzles of ready rifles,
show how readily the besieged garrison
stands at bay against the countless enc
mics. whose dark. fierce faces and gilt
tering weapons are visible amid the half
ruined building and matted thickets all
around.
The Seroy mutiny of 1857 is blazing
sky high over Northern India, and Col.
Annesley is blockaded in Euttee-B agh,
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
upper rooms.
mo fear of the water running short"
said Major Armstrong; but, even upon
half rations, the food will be out in four
days more"
''And then we'll just go 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
arshness and injustice. Col. Annesley
"grit" to the backbone. eve must
not say anything to them about it,
though" he added, with side glance at
Mr.. Currie, who was standing i'll the fur
Their corner, was anxiously watching the
thin, worn face of his sleeping wife.
At that moment loud cheer from be-
low startled them both, and the next mo-
ment Ismail 1.-THE Majors boy" as
every one now called him) burst into
the room with q glow of unwonted ex-
element on his dark face.
"Sahib," cried he, 'there is hope for
yeti 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 =
Chow do you know" asked the Major.
eagerly.
RI heard the Sepoys say so, when 1
was lying hid among the bushes yon-
der, answered the lad.
among the bushes yonder 2 roared
the Colonel, facing around. Have you
actually been in the midst of those cut
throat villains, listening to what they
said Whatever did you do tina. for?
Il did it for Sahib Armstrong; sake,
replied the boy. proudly; because he
was good to me-"
The Colonel turned hastily away to
hide the flush of not unmanly shame
that overspread his hard face; and Arm
strong smiled slightly, as he heard him
mutter:
by Jove these chaps aren't so
black as they re 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 arisen and
Joined the group. They may not pass
near enough to hear the firing. and we