Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-06-08

1 =
then the boy Wa seen running frsutisall,
along the bank. and trying in win d
clutch the vessel !. 4 Aoased psst.
What on earth be up To-" grunse'
the colonel, eomplstsly mysti6sd.
.Iseew crisd Major Armstrong. tri
umphantly, ''there's boat yondef amonl
the reeds, and he's making right for it
Well done, my brave boy" TO .assI
But at that mnnsnt . yell Of rage from
the Sepoys told that the trick was discov.
cred.
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 theiI
armed comrades, whose bullets fell like
hail around the boat and its gallant little
pilot. saai o. yiIa- 4lAi
'Iet Us FIRE volley and make show
of sallying out" said the colonel; 9TH
take their attention from him."
But in this he was mistaken.
The first rattle Of musketry from the
beseiged house, did indeed recall most Of
Ismsil's assailants, but at least q dozen
were left, who kept up an unce.sins fire,
striking the boat again and again. n
All at once the colonel dashed his glass
to the floor with q frightful oath. oJ
Between two gusts Of smoke he had
seen the boat turn suddenly over, and 60
whirling down the dark 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 with
opium. But little after midnight the
quick ears Of the veteran officers-the
only watchers in the whole garrison, ex-
cept the sentries themselves-caught .
faint stirring in the surrounding thickeh,
which seemed to argue some movement
ON the part Of the enemy.
Listening intently for few moments,
they felt certain that they were right,
and lost no time in arousing their men.
The scanty stores Of food were opened
once more, and, crouching together in
the darkness, the doomed men took what
they fully believed to be their last meal
on earth.
They're coming" said Major Arm
strong. straining his eyes into the gloom
through a loophole. 81 hear them creep
ing forward, though can't zee them y
"What the deuce was that| exclaim-
ed the colonel, suddenly. at looked
like fiery arrow flying past"
ats worse than that" said the major
in low voice. The rascals are shoot
ing lighted chips of bamboo on TO the
roof to set it on FIRE. Send the women
UP with buckets to flood the thatch.
there's not Q moment to lose"
"Tll go and see to it myselfw cried
Mrs. Currie, fastening out Of the room.
But the power Of this new weapon
had already become fatally manifest. The
house was an old one, and dry as tinder
from the prolonged heat, and as fast as
the flames were quenched in one place
they broke out in another. iat.
When day dawned, the fire had already
got a firm hold of one corner Of the
building, and crushing discharge wal
poured upon all who attempted to extin.
guish it. while the triumphant yell oi
the human tigers below, told that they
felt sure Of their prey. ,.al.a 49,.
"It's all over with US, old fellow, said
the colonel, grasping his old comrade''
hand; "but, at least, we shall have
done our duty"
"Give me one Of you pistols" whis
pered Mrs. Cunie to her husband, in
voice that was not her own. 81 must
not fall into their hands alive"
At that moment Major Armstsonf
was seen 70 start and bend forward, ss i
listening intently; for he thoug ght-si
though he could scarcely believe his ear
that be had suddenly caught fain'
sound of distant firing. :.
In another instant he heard It again
and this time there could be no doubt
for several Of the others had caught i
likewise, and = gleam Of hope onct
more lighted up their haggard faces and
bloodsbot eyes.
Louder and nearer came the welcome
sound, while the sudden terror and con
fusion visible among the enemy showet
that they, too, were at no loss to gues
its meaning. ~
Then high above al the din rose tn
well.known "Hurrshr' and through III
smoke.clouds broke charging line o
glittering bsyones and ruddy Engfisl
49, sveeu;nO avav tha covprtllv mriY