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

and slip across the river"
"But are you quite sure the SepOys
will believe you asked Maj. Armstrong,
doubtfully.
"They'll believe this, anyhow" re-
piled 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
Armstrong.
The plan was soon explained to the
men below and moment later Ismail's
dark figure was seen darting like an AZ
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 the
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.
81 can scarcely see for those bushes"
said Col. Annesley; "but he seems to be
showing them the wound ON his shout
der, and telling them it was all our
doing"
At that moment an exulting yell from
the enemy came pealing through the
| air.
''That's the story of our being short of
water, for guinea!" said the Major; lit
was q very good thought of his. If it
only delays their attack two days longer
there may be time for help to arrive
yet"
Slowly and YEARLY 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 Eng
lishmen were also helpless. Had the
Sepoys attacked them, all would have
been over at one blow; but hour passed
after hour, and there was no sign of an
assault.
At length, as after noon gave place to
evening, movement began to show it.
self in the enemy's lines. Thin curls of
smoke rising above the trees showed
that the evenings meal was in prepare
ton; that several figures with pitchers
in their hands were seen going toward
the river, among whom the Colonel's
keen eye detected Ismail.
by GEORGE" cried the old soldier,
slapping his knee exultingly, "that lads
worth his weight in gold. There's his
way down to the river right open to him
without the least chance of suspicion.
Why, he's born nothing
less!"
Every eye within the walls was now
turued anxiously upon the distant group
fearing to see ut any moment some
movement which wonld show that the
trick was detected. How did Ismall
mean to accomplish this purpose:
Would he plunge boldly into the river,
without any disguise, or had he some
further strategem in preparation? No
one could say.
Suddenly, as Ismail stopped to plunge
his light wooden dipper into the water,
it slipped from his hands and went float
ing away down stream. A cry of dis
may, loud laugh from the Sepoys, and
then the boy was seen running frantic
catch the vessel as it hoated past.
"What on earth is he up tor" grunted
the Colonel, completely mystiied.
81 seew cried Major Armstrong, tri-
umphantly; there's a boat yonder
among the reeds, and he's making for it.
Well done, my brave boy!'
| But at that moment q 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 instantly brought up crowd OF
armed comrades, whose bullets fell like
hail around the boat and it's gallant little
pilot.
LET us fire volley and make a show
of sallying out, said the Colonel; eth
| take their attention from him"
| But in this he was mistaken.
| The first rattle of musketry from be-
hind the house did indeed recall most of
Ismail's assailants, but at least dozen
were left, who kept up an incessant fir
ing, striking the boat again and again.
| All at once the Colonel dashed his
glass to the floor with frightful OATH
Between the two guests of smoke he
had seen the boat turn suddenly over, |
and 60 whirling down the river, keel up
ward.
There's an end of the poor lad" NUT
tered 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 defenders.
utterly worn out. slept as if drugged by
opium. But little after midnight the
quick ears of the two veteran officers
the only watchers in the whole garrison,
except the sentries themselves-caught a
faint stirring in the surrounding thickets,
which seemed to argue some movement
on the part of the enemy.
1 r. L.