Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-07-07
WOODSTOCK, VT,, WEDNESDAY, JULY 2. 1880,

they said' What ever did you de
that tort
i | did II for Sahib Armstrong; sake,
replied the boy, proudly, beceuse he
was good to me,
The colonel turned hastily away to
hide the aush OF not nnmanly shame
that ovevpread his hard face and
Armstrong smiled slightly as he heard
him mutler
BY Joye these chaps aren't 80
black as they are painted after all
hut II the troops are beyond the
river how can we communicate with
them I taskcd Mrs, Curric, who'
awakened by tho shouting, had risen
and joined the group. They may not
pass near enough TO hear tho firing
and We have 40 means OF sending
them word
Fear nothing for that, mem'sahlb'
(madam) said tho llindoo boy quietly !
| will carry them word myself
But how can you possibly do 1t 7
cried Mr.. Currle, thundcrstruck by
tho confident tone in which this mere
child spoke Of n task from which the
hardest veteran might well have
shrunk,
Listen, sahib, answered, lsmail, l
will slip out Of the house, and make q
dash into the cnemys lines, as IT l
were deserting from You to them and
you can tell your people to fire shot
or two after me with blank cartridges,
as 90. Then the Sepoys will re-
cclyc mo kindly, and III tell them
that you're all dying Of thirst, and
that they need wait only one day more
TO be sure Of you, so that they wont
care TO make another attack. Then,
when they have no suspicion, and
think am quite one Of themselves.
ri steal away, and slip across the
river.
But are you quite sure the Sepoys
will believe you ? asked Major Arm
strong, doubtiully.
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,
ns he glided from the room, followed
by Armstrong
The plan was soon explained to
the men below, and moment later
Ismails dark figure was seen dartlng
like an arrow across the open space in
of the building, followed by a quick
discharge of blank cartridges from the
marksmen at the loopholes. The
sound of firing drew the attention olthe
Sepoys, several of whom ran forward
to meet him.
In apo,her instant he was IN the
midst of them.
I can scarcely see tor those bushes,
said Colonel Apnesley but he seems
to be showing them the wound Oh his
shoulder, and telling them it was our
doing.
AT that mowent an exulting yell
from the enemy came pealing through
the still air.
That's the story of our being short
of water, for aguinea !! said the major;
it was a very good thought of his
If it only delays their attack two days
longer, there may be time tor help to
arrive yet.
Slowly and YEARLY the long bours
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 1t, and
the handful of Englishmen were almost
helpless. Had the Sepoys attacked
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 10
show itself in the enemy's lines.
Their curls Of smoke, rising among
the trees, showed that the evening
meal was in preparation and several
figures, with pitchers in their hands,
were seen going toward the river,
among whom the colonels keen eye
seon detected 1smail.
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 general
nothing less !
Every eye within the wall was now
turned apxiously upon the distant
group, fearing to see at any moment
some movement. which would show