The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-08-01


expedition could not be imagined.
Love, indeed when bullets not many
hundred yards from where the pair sat
were flying about like hail, seeking
billet in the corporal frame of some UNI
lucky wight who was unfortunate enough
to get in their way.
Round shot from long eighteen pound
ers and shells from howit2crs were bowl
ing about as if the vast maidan, or sandy
plain, were vertable skittlc alley where
Titans were amusing themselves at a
favorite pastimc, knocking over human
beings in lieu of nine-pins.
The moon had just shown itself over a
| tope of mango trees when the cavalry
started on their Grand of mercy, to secure
women and children from death and dis
honor and to succor brave men. who at
| that moment were battling against great
odd for dear life.
Delhi was soon left behind, and the
| boom OF cannon became fainter and faint
er, until at length it ceased altogether.
| The squadron rode through silent villages,
uncovered in palm trees, whose tall tops
looked fairylike in the moonlight which
| flooded everything
occasionally a troop of iackals made night
hdeous with their fcarsome cries.
\ short halt was called near tank, or
miniature lake, where the horses were
watered, and the men partook of such
refreshment as their haversacks afforded.
This done, they saw to their grths,
and, remounting by word of command,
lest the sound Of the trumpet should
warn the rebels of their approach, they
galloped forward, the chatter of their
swords and accoutrements awakening
the echoes of the night, and sounding
ominously of impending strife.
'By Jovel they're at it hammer and
longs" remarked Nandeleur to Ben
thorpe, in stern tone. I'm glad to
hear firing; it shows that the garrison
are still holding out"
eyes. Now to rescue Ciccly," said
Benthorpe with a grim smile. "For
once | shall become cOmbatant officer,
and shall use my sword to wound and
Stay, instead of saving life. The black
hounds deserve neither pity nor consider
alton, they have committed SO many
Every man of the British army shared
these sentiments to the full, and resolved
that, whenever, the shock of battle came,
to neither ask for nor give quarter to
such dastardly foemen.
Swords leaped from steel scabbards,
and for a moment both horses and men
were almost as motionless as statues.
Then came the clarion notes of the
trumpet, sounding the charge, and away
went our brave fellows, straight as an
arrow from a well-bent bow, for the
enemy.
The relief had come not a moment too
soon, for when the first British sabre de-
scended on the head of rebel Sepoy, Il
hand-to-hand fig hit was going ON between
the garrison and the mutineers.
Nandclcur and Denthorpe kept close
together and thrust and parted, and
gave downright blows, and they made
their way through swarms Of dusky foe
men.
AT last Nandeleur was able to take
General Coghlan by the hand and to con-
graduate him.
Where is Miss Coghlan?n Benthorpe
asked.
"She was safe a moment ago.
"By heavens that's her voice calling
for helpm exclaimed Vandcleur, as,
squirting his horse forward, he rode in
that direction, followed by Benthorpe,
both of whom saw the woman they loved
in the arms of an officer of sowars (irrcgu-
lar cavalry, who was wellmounted, and
at that moment was riding off with his
lovely prize.
Both men rode after the wretch, eager
to be the first to rescue Cicely.
1t was race for love, and promised
to be a long one, for the rebels horse
was powerful animal, and kept up a
good pace, in spite of his double bur
den.
Once out upon the open plain the chase
became exciting, for the sowar seeing
himself pursued put forth every effort to
outdiatance his foes, from whom lie
would meet no mercy if oyertaken.
Nandeleur being lightweight and a
good rider was gradually heading away
from his friend Benthorpe, when his
horse caught its foot in hole and
stumbled.
This gave Benthorpe the advantage
and he was not slow to use it, for he
shot ahead with grim smile of pleasure,
and was pleased to lind that ne was gain
ing on the sowar.
suddenly the fellow wheeled half
round, and taking deliberate aim fired
at his pursUcr, whose horse was hit and
fell under him.
by this time Nandclcur rode up, when
HcnthOrpe shouted:
" rank, win hcr-save Cicelyw
Nandeleut's answer was to wave his
hand. as he kept straight on, like a
bloodhound on the scent of death
by heavens he Missed between his
clenche teeth, "hell escape me after all
if I'm not CAREFUL
Snatch;ng a pistol from the holster, he
tierd, but the cap only snapped. With
an anathema of disgust, he produced its
fellow, and being a noted shot, fired thi,
time with success, for the sowar reeled in
the saddle, and fell to the ground, still,
however, holding Cicely in his arms.
When Nandclcur's sword entered tht
rebels body it was only just in time tC
save Cicely's LIFE; another moment, anC
the fellows dagger would have beer
plunged into her heart.