Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-08

Day was just breaking, when two mer
held a whispered counsel in one of tho
upper rooms,
No fear oi the wafer running short,
said Major Armstrong; "but even upon
half rations he food will be out III -four
days more"
And then We'll just go right at them
and cut our way through or die for it!
erowl the old colonel, with grim
smile on his iron face, for, with ali his
harshness and injustice, Colonel Anneslcy
was grit" to the backbone. 1--WE must
not say anything to them ABOUT 1t,
though he added, with a side glance al
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 GLOW of unwonted excite
ment ON his dark face.
':Sahib." cried he, there is hope for
us yeti A detachment OF Engleez ENG
ljsh) are coming up the other bank OF
the river: If we can send word to them as
! they pass, we are saved!"
How 90 YOU know?" asked the major,
eagerly.
Il heard the Sepoys say so, while l
MAS lying hiu among the bushes over
yonder,' ans Hered the boy.
"Among the bushes yonder?' roared
the colonel. facing round. "Have you
really been in the midst OF those cut
throat Williams, listening to what they
said: Whatever did you do that for?s
Il did it Tor Sahib Armstrong; sake,
replied the boy, proudly. because he
was good 20 me-"
The colonel turned hastily away to
hide the flush of not unmanly shame that
oversrread MS hard face; and A rmstrong
smiled slightly as he heard him mutter:
BY Jove! these chaps aren't so olack
as they re painted alter ALL"
But if the troops are beyond the NV
en- how can we communicate with theml'
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
10 means OF sending them word"
Fear nothing for that mems ahibF
(madam) said the Hlndoo boy, quietly;
Il Will carry them word myself"
But how can you possibly do it?"
cried Nj Currie, thunderstruck by the
confident tone in which this mcle child
spoke Of task from which the hardest
veteran might we'll have shrunk.
Listen, S;hib,' answered Ismail. 81
will slip out Of the house, and make a
dash into the enemy's lines, as if l were
deserving from you to them; and you can
tell your people to fire a shot or two after
me with blank cartridge, as l go. Then
the Sepoys viii 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 "Ihen when they
have 70 suspicion, and think I'm quite
one of themselves, I'll steal away and
ship across the river
But are you quite sure the Sepoys
VIII believe you?" asked Major Arm
strong, doubtfully.
They'll believe this, anyhow replied
the boy, deliberately makinga deep cash
IN lis bare shoulder, and staining his
white frock with tie blood, as he glided
tom the room followed by Armstrong.
The plan was soon explained to the men
below, and moment later Ismai's dark
figure was seen darting lake an arrow
across the open space in front of the build
ing, followed by quick discharge of
blank cartridges from the marksmcn at
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.
Il can scarcely sec for those bushes"
said Colonel Annesley; "but he seems
to be showing them the wound on his
shoulder, and telling them it was our
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 a guinear' said the majority;
sit was 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 English
men Were almost helpless. Had the
Sepoys attacked then, all would have
been over at q blow; but hour passed
after hour, and there was no Sign of an
assault
At length. as afternoon gave place to
evening, Il movement began to show it
self in the cnemy's line. Theil curls OF
smoke, rising above the trees, showed
that the evening meal was in preparation;
and several figures, with pitchers i'll their
hands, among whom the coionel's keen
eve soon detected Ismail.
BY George!' cried the old soldier,
slapping his knee exultingly, "that boy
is worth his weight in gold There's his
way Gown to the river open to him, with
out the least chance of suspicion. Why,
that lads born Seneral-and nothing
less.
Every eye within the walls was now
turned anxiously upon the distant group,
fearing to see at any moment some move