The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-02-11
peer the muzzles of ready rifles, showing
how steady the besieged garrison stands

peer the muzzles of ready rifles, showing
how steady the besieged garrison stands
at bay against the countless enemies,
whose dark, fierce faces and glittering
weapons are visible amid the half-ruined
building and matted thickets all around.
The Sepoy mutiny of 1857 is blazing
sky-high over Northern India, and Col
onel Annesley is blockaded in Huttce-
Bagh, with 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'll"
growl d the old colonel, with a grim
smile on his iron face, tor, with all his
harshness and injustice, Colonel Annesley
was "grit" to the backbone. ave must
not say anything to them snout it.,
though" he added, with side glance at
Mr.. Currie, who, standing in the fur
Their 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 mo-
ment Ismail (the majors boy, as every
one now called him. burst into the
room with a glow Of unwonted excite
ment on his dark face. r.:
"Sahib," cried he, ''there is hope for
us yet! A detachment OF Englesz eng
lish) are coming up the other bank of
the river; If we can send word to them as
they pass, we are saved2'' ..
allow do you know2" asked the major,
eagerly.
II heard the sepoys say so, while I
was lying hid among the bushes over
! yonder," answered the boy. .,...
| "Among the bushes yonder9'' reared
the colonel, facing round. Have you
really been in the midst of those cut
! throat Williams, listening to what they
! said9 Whatever did you do that fors'
II did it TOR Sahib Armstroug's 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 A rmstrong
smiled slightly as he heard him mutter
"By Jovel these chaps aren't 50 olack
as they're painted after all"
| "But if the troops are beyond the rlv-
| er, how can we communicate with them7"
asked Mrs. Currie, who, awakened 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.'
"Fear nothing tor that mem-sahib''
(madam) said the Hlndoo boy, quietly
II will carry them word myself"
"But how can you possibly do it?''
cried Mr.. Currie, thunderstruck by the
confident tone in which this mere child
| spoke Of task from which the hardest
veteran might we'll have shrunk.
'Llsten, Sahib,' answered lsmail. II
will slip out of the house, and make a
dash into the enemy's lines, as if I were
deserving from you to them and you Can
tell your people to fire shot or two after
me with blank cartridge, as I go. Then
the Sepoys will receive me kindly, and I'll
tell them that your all dying of thirst,
and they only need 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 you9" asked Major Arm.
| strong, dOubtfully.
''They4l believe this, anyhow" replied
the boy, deliberately making deep cash
IN his bare shoulder, and staining his
white frock with tie blood, as he glideo
from the room followed by Armstrong.
The plan was soon:'ex planned to the mer
below, and moment later Ismai's dark
figure was seen darting like an arrow
across the open space in front Of the build
ing, followed by quick discharge Of
blank cartridges from the marksmcH al
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.
II can scarcely see for those bushes y
said Colonel Annesley; "but he seems
to be showing them the wound on his
shoulder, and telling them it was GU,
doing"
At that moment an exulting yell from
the enemy came pealing through the still
air.
''That's the story of our being short Of
water, for guinea" said the majority
sit was very good thought of his. lit
only delays their attack two days longer
there may be time for help to arrive vet
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 English.
men were almost helpless. Had the