The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-01-21

Without even LOOKING lb Ills pIOSJIaIe
antagonist, proceeded to examine the
hurts of the boy.
The latter was sorely bruised in many
places, and the blood was trickling
freely 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.
you're brave lad, and you'll make
n soldier some day." said the major to
! him in Hindoostance. Come with
me, and I'll see that no one molests you
again"
The lad seized the huge brown hand
which had defended him so bravely,
and kissed it with the deepest reverence;
and the two walked away together.
Six months have come and gone, and
Mr.. Currie's hospitable house presents
very different spectacle. The pretty
garden is trampled 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 loopholed
walls peer the muzzles of ready rifles,
showing how steady the besieged gar
rison stands at bay against the countless
enemies, whose dark, fierce faces and
glittering weapons are visible amid the
halfruined building and matted thickets
all around.
The Sepoy mutiny of 1857 is blazing
sky. high over Northern India, and
Colonel Annesley is blockaded in Hut
tee-Dagh, with n certainty of a hideous
death for himself and every man of the
few who are still true to him, unless
help come speedily.
Day was just breaking, when two
men held whispered counsel in one of
! the upper rooms.
No 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 n
grim smile on his iron face, for, with all
his harshness and injustice, Colonel
Annesley 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 loud cheer from be-
low startled them both, and the next
moment Ismail Ohe majors boy" as
every one now called him) burst into
the room, with glow of unwonted eX-
citement 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! !'
do L ho
major, eagerly.
II heard the Sepoys say so, while I
was lying hid among the bushes yon-
der" ans wered the lad.
Among the bushes yonderP" roared
the colonel, facing around Have you
really been in the midst of those cut
throat villains, listening to what they
saidp Whatever did you do that forp
''Pdid 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
Armstrong smiled slightly as he heard
him mutter:
by Jove! these chaps aren't so black
as they're painted after all"
6 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 we
have no means of sending them word. u
Fear nothing for that, mem-sahib"
| (Dladam) said the Hindoo 10y, quietly /;
Il will carry them word myselfn'
b 1t 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.
II will 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 IL 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 youPn asked Major Arm
strong, doubtfully.
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
Armstrong.
The plan was soon explained to the
men below, and a moment later Ismail's
dark figure was seen darting like an
arrow across the open space in front of
the building, followed by quick dis
charge of blank cartridges from the
marksmen at the lOophOles. The sound
of firing drew the attention of the
Sepoys, several of whom ran forward to
meet him.
In another instant he was in the
midst of them.
- can scarcely see for those busl. f"
said Colonel Annesley; "but he seems
TO be showing them the wound on his