The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-01-19

All the windows Of the house are
blocked up, and through the loop-holed
walls peer the muzzles of ready rifles,
showing how steadily the besieged gar
rison stands at bay against the countless
enemies, whose dark, fierce faces and
glittering weapons are visible amid the
half-ruined building and matted thick
cts all around.
The Sepoy mutiny Of 1857 is blazing
sky-high over Northern India, and
Col. Annesley is blockaded in Huttee-
Bagh, with certainty of a hideous death
for himself and every man of the few
who are still true to him, unless help
comes speedily.
Day was Just breaking when two men
held n whispered council in one of the
upper rooms. ,
"No fear of the water running short, u
said Maj. 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 p
growled the old Colonel, with a grim
smile on his iron face, for, with all his
harshness and injustice, Col. Annesley
was "grit" to the backbone. eve
mustn't say anything to them about it,
though" added he, with side glance at
Mr.. Currie, who, standing in the further
corner, was anxiously watching the thin,
worn face of his sleeping wife.
At that moment q loud cheer from
below startled them both, and the next
moment Ismail (the MAJORS boy" as
every one now called HIM burst into the
room with q glow of unwonted excite
ment on his dark face.
"Sahib," cried he, "there is hope for
us yeti A detachment of Ingleez (En-
glsh) are coming up the other bank of
the river; if we can send word to them
ms they pass we are saved.
Glow do you know?' asked the Major
eagerly.
81 heard the Sepoys say SO, while [
was lying hid among the bushes yon-
der, answered the lad.
"Among the bushes yonder?" roared
the Colonel, facing around. "Have you
really been in the midst of those cut
throat villains listening to what they
said. Whatever did you do that for?"
81 did it for Sahib Armstrong; sake,
replied the boy, proudly; "because he
was good to me-"
The Colonel turned hastily away tc
hide the flush of not unmanly shame
that overspread his hard face; and Arm
strong smiled slightly as he heard him
mutter:
"By Jove! these chaps aren't 50 black
as they're painted, after ALL"
"But if the troops are beyond the
river how can We communicate witt
them?' asked Mrs. Curae, who, awakened
by the shouting, had arisen and ioinet
the group. "They may not pass neal
enough to hear the firing, and We have
no means of sending them word.
Gear nothing for that, mem-sahih'
(madam), answered the Hindoo boy,
quietly 81 will carry them word my
self. ?"
"But how can you possibly do it|
cried Mrs. Currie, thunderstruck by the
confident tone in which this mere child
spoke of task from which the hardest
veteran might well have shrrlnk.
"Listen, Sahib," answered 1smail.
81 will slip ont of the house and MAKE
a dash into tho enemy's lines, as If
were deserving from you to them, ant
YOU can tell your people to fire shot o
two after me with blank cartridge as
90. Then the Sepoys will receive MT
kindly, and I'll tell them that you're al
diving of thirst. and that they must onl.
wait one day more to make sure OF you
SO that they won't care to make another
attack. Then, when they have no sus
picion, and think I'm quite one of them
selves, I'll steal away and slip across TIN
river"
"But are You quite sure the Sepoy
will believe you ?" asked Maj. Arm
strong, doubtfully.
"They'll believe this, anyhow" re
piled the boy, deliberately making {
deep cash in his bare shoulder and stain
ing his white frock with the blood as III
glided from the room, followed by Arm
strong.
The plan was soon explained to TIN
men below, and moment later Ismail'
dark figure was seen darling like an ar
row across the open space in front OF TIN
building, followed by quick discharg'
of blank cartridges from marksmen a
the loopholes. The sound OF the firing
drew the attention of the Sepoys, sew
ernl of whom ran forward to meet him
In another instant he was in the mids
of them.
~ can scarcely see for those bushes,
said Col. Annesley, "but he seem
to he showing them the wound on hi
shoulder, and telling them 1t was on
doing" n s
AT that moment an exulting yell iron
the enemy came pealing through the ali
"Ihat's the story of our beng shor
of water, for guinea |" said the Major
sit was a very good thought OF his, l
it only delays their attack two days Ion
ger, there may be time for help to arriv
Slowly and YEARLY the long hours G
that fearful day wore on. The neat wa
SO terrible that even the native soldier
Of the garrison could barely hold thei
own against 1t, and the handful OF En-
glishmen were also helpless. Had tn
Sepoys attacked them, all would hay
been over at one blow; but hour passe
bour. and there was no sign OF an a.
sault.
At length, as afternoon gave place
evening, a movement began to sho
itself in the enemy's lines. Then curl
of smoke rising above the trees shove
that the evenings meal was IN PrePar'
ton: then several figures with pitcher
in their hands we're seen going towar
the river, among whom the Colonel
keen eyes detected Ismail.
"By George !" cried the Old soldie
slapping his knee e1ulti1gly, that Lad
worth bis weight in gold There's b
way down to the river right open to MI
without the least chance OF suspicion
Why, he's born gentleman-nothn
less!" ..s.,
C,-o,.,, ayo within the walls was no