Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-07-30


love Cicely, Sc do you; let us decide who
shall have her"
'Howl in what way7"
eve are both going to the relief or
the same place-the man who reaches
her side first shall win her hand-that
is. provided she is willing; the other
fellow must retire gracefully.
Benthrope pondered over the proposal
for few minutes. and then placing his
hand in Nandeleur's, said with all sol
diers frankness:
Done with you, old fellow, it's bar
gain. If you win, shall congratulate
you; if !, Ishall expect the same treat
ment at your hands"
Anything more incongruous than thus
stalking love on the issue of dangerous
expedition could not be imagined.
Love, indeed when bullets not many
hundred yards from where the pair sat
were flying about like hail, seeking a
billet in the corporal frame of some I'M
lucky wight who was unfortunate enough
to get in their way
Round shot from long eighteen pound
ers and shells from howitzers were bowl
ing about as if the vast madam, or sandy
i
Titans were amusing themselves at a
favorite pastime, 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
odds 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,
embowered in palm trees, whose tall tops
looked fairylike in the moonlight which
flooded everything
A few village ours barked defiance, and
occasionallya troop of jackals made night
hideous with their fearsome cries.
A 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 girths
and, remounting by word of command,
lest the sound of the trumpet should
warn the rebels of their approach, they
galloped forward, the clatter of their
swords and accoutrements awakening
the echoes of the night, and sounding
ominously of impending strife.
''By Jove! they're at it hammer and
tongs," remarked Vandeleur to Ben
thorpe, in a stern tone. I'm glad TO
hear firing; it shows that the garrison
are still holding out"
Eyes. Now to rescue Cicely, said
Benthorpe with grim smile. For
once | shall become a 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
atrocities"
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 10
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 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 a rebel Sepoy, a
hand to hand fight was going on between
the garrison and the mutineers.
Vandeleur and Benthorpe kept close
together and thrust and parried, and
gave downright blows, and they made
their way through swarms of dusky foe
men.
At last Vandelcur was able to take
General Coghlan by the hand and to con-
graduate him.
Where is Miss Coghlan2" Benthorpe
asked
''She was safe a moment ago."
''By heavens! that's her voice calling
for helpm exclaimed Vandeleur, 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 Cirregu-
lar cavalry, who was well amounted, 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 long one, for the rebels horse
was powerful animal, and kept up
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
outdistance his foes, from whom he