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

after hour, and there was no sign of an
assault.
At length, as afternoon gave place to
evening, n movement began to show it.
self in the enemy's lines. Their curls of
smoke, rising above the trees, showed
that the evening meal was in prepara-
tion; and several figures, with pitchers
in their hands, were seen going toward
the river, among whom the colonels
keen eye soon detected Ismail.
"By Georgel" cried the old soldier,
slapping his knee exultingly, that lads
worth his weight in goldl There's his
way down to the river right open to him
without the least chance of suspicion !
why, he's a born general-nothing
lessl'
Every eye within the walls was now
turned anxionsly upon the distant group,
fearing to see at any moment some
movement which would show that the
trick was detected. How did Ismail
mean to accomplish his purposep Would
he plunge boldly into the river, without
any disguise, or had he some further
stratagem in preparations No one could
say.
Suddenly, as Ismail stopped to plunge
his light wooden dipper into the water,
it slipped from his hands, and went
floating away down the stream: A cry
of dismay, loud laugh from the Sc
poys, and then the boy was seen running
frantically along the bank, and trying
in vain to clutch the vessel as it fioated
past.
What on earth's he up TOP" grunted
the colonel, completely mystiied.
Il see" cried Major Armstrong, tri-
umphantly, there's u boat yonder
among the reeds, and he's making right
for it. Well done, my brave boyr'
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 their armed comrades, whose bullets
fell like hail around the boat and its
gallant little pilot.
&c Let us fire volley and make show
of sallying out" said the colonel; "it'll
take their attention from him"
But in this he was mistaken.
The first rattle of musketry from the
besieged house did indeed recall most of
Ismairs assailants, but at least a dozen
were lett who kept up an unceasing fire,
Striking the boat again and again.
All at once the coIonel dashed his
glass to the floor with frightful oath.
Between two gusts of smoke he had
seen the boat turn suddenly over, and
go whirling away down the dark river,
Keel upward.
There's an end of the poor lac, -
muttered the veteran, brokenly. "God
bless him for n brave little fellow.
And now, old friend, we must just die
hard, for there's no hope left
The first few hours ofthe night passed
quietly, and the exhausted defenders,
utterly worn out, slept as if drugged
with opium. But a little after mid
night the quick ears of the two veteran
of1icers-the only watchers in the whole
garrison, except the sentries themselves
caught faint stirring in the surround
ing thicketS, 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 n loophole. q hear them
creeping forward, though l can't see
them"
"What the deuce was thatP" ex-
claimed the colonel, suddenly. "It
looked like fiery arrow flying past"
It's worse than that" said the
ro1a1A,. ~, lpNrr xyatnn l.,
shooting lighted chips of bamboo on to
the roof TO set it on fire. Send the
women up with buckets to food the
thatch-there's not a moment to lose"
I'm go and see to it myself" 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.
When day dawned, the fire had al
ready got firm hold of one corner of
the building, and crushing discharge
was poured upon all who attempted TO
eXtinguish it, while the triumphant
yells of the human tigers below told
that they felt sure of their prey.
Its all over with us, old fellow
said the colonel, grasping his old COM
rade's hand; but, at least, we shall
have done our duty"
"Give me one of your pistols whis-
pered Mrs. Currie TO her husband, in a
voice that was not her own. Il must
not fall into their hands alive"
At that moment MAJOR Armstrong
was seen to start and bend forward, as
if listening intent,y; for he thought
alfhnYYph ha gnr111 gp,r.aalvv ho1sorva he
ears that he had suddenly caught a
faint sound ofdistant firing.
In another instant he heard it again,
and this time there could be no more
doubt, for several of the others had
caught it likewise, and gleam of hope
once more lighted up their haggard faces
and bloOdshot eyes.
Louder and nearer came the welcome
sound, while the sudden terror and
confusion visible among the enemy
showed that they, too, were at no loss