The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-09-29

some fresh mode of attack was preparing.
Our suspense continued for a long period
| (nearly half an hour during which time
not word was spoken by any OF us
| Our sole dependence was the Doctor;
| and If help did not soon arrive it was GER
| tain we could find no escape from the
demons who were trying to compass our
| destruction.
snow, look slick" whispered Mat.
''t see their game; they're going to
| give US fits. How's tho moon well
abaok of the hut, L guess. Bill, stick
your cabbage tree on a pillow, and hold
| it at the open window when [ tell you.
I'll just go out and bid them good even
| ing. Don't bar the door after me, mis-
ter, bat when l show them my heels open
it. You see we can't spare ammunition"
While speaking Mat unbarred the
door. He slipped out noiselessly as he
concluded the sentence.
Through the slabs he said to me; ''D'ye
see that divil with the blazin' log? When
he gets close to the waffle, open the win
dow, and pop up the pillow. Take care
OF their spears yourself.
AS soon as the black fellow came to
the point indicated, | opened the long
little shutter with some noise and held
up the dummy. In moment dozen
spears passed through the aperture, and
[ let the window fall as though one of us
was mortally wounded.
There was a wild shout without At
this time the black fellow who carried
the log was within few yards of the
hut, and l heard Mat preparing for his
move outside. Looking out as quickly
as could, had just time to see his tall
figure emerge beyond the shade as the
butt end Of his gun fell crashing or the
head of the fire bearer. The door was
opened rs Mat turned; 1t required but
one or two bounds to take him to the
door, but the savages were too quick for
him with their spears. He staggered
through the entrance and fell just as be
cleared the threshold.
Caught in the thigh, guess" he ex-
claimed, as he slowly recovered himself,
and painfully struggled to the window.
Don't mind the spear," he remarked to
ne as approached him; ''it's better as
IL ie fill holm oDr1aE -
eff it ever does" thought T..
The Americans sortie, I believe, had
rather disastrous effect, for the black |
fellows seemed to conclude at once that |
our ammunition was all expended, and |
they thronged round the hut without |
caring to shelter themselves.
In ehnrt time the cracklino er A..
on the roof put an end to our troubles. !
The hut wes on fire, and there was moth
ing left for us but an attempt to dash out !
and clear the aborigines. [ proposed |
this, but Mr.. s. would not try with
out Mat, and underneath the blazing
roof, with ciubbed guns, We grim,y |
awaited the final attack. The Americans |
rifle rested in the loophole where he had
first taken up his position.
'.There's the worst Of them, HAT said,
looking along his weapon; "he's coming
up with log to stave the door. He'll |
never do it," and our last bullet brought
down the ringleader.
There was CONSERVATION and a hurried
consultation. After lapse of about five
minutes, the whole force of the besiegers
rushed shrieking on our little garrison.
A moments surge outside, and the door
fell back as Mr.. SIS gun swung down
On the crowding savages with terrific
force, telling two Of the foremost like
oxen. I remember wild struggle with
our guns and fists. Mat and the squatter
lowered above their opponents like giants
fighting with terrible energy. The black
fellows had forced me to the ground; one
was shortening his grasp Of the spear to
drive it through my body, when 1 felt
gush of blood spouting over my face and
chest, just as the savage fell on ne NOR
tally wounded. Then I remember hur-
rah outside and the cracking of rifles.
'Ihat was good backhanded blow,
boss,' said Mat, family; 81 guess the
cooks got another squeak. Dye hear
thats Hooray! Knowed the Doctor i'd
do it," said he, with renewed energy;
''take that" and / heard the dull sound |
Of another blow, and low moan of pain
as the station hands rushed in. The |
Doctor soon recovered. So did Nat, |
who is now one of the richest men in the |
colonies. well L have large scar
across my breast.