Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-08-01

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 corporeal frame of some un-
lucky wight who was unfortunate enough
to get in their way.
Round shot from long eighteen-po pound
ers and shells from howitzers were bowl.
ing about as if the vast maidan, or sandy
plain, were a veritable skittle alley where
Titans were amusing themselves at
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 errand of mercy, to secure
women and children from death and dis
homer, 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
HOodeQ everything.
A few village ours barked defiance, and
occasionally troop of jackals made night
hldeous 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 q grim smile. 'For
once l shall become combatant officer,
and shall use my sword to wound and
slay, 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 to
such dastardly foemen.
Swords leaped from steel scabbards,
and for a moment both horses and men
were almost as motionless as statues.
FTbo,, hA o1o VII Of tho
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 rebel Sepoy,
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 Vandeleur was able to take
General Coghlan by the hand and to con-
gratulate him.
"Where is Miss Coghlan2" Benthorpe
asked.
"She was safe moment ago."
"By heavens! that's her voice calling
for help" 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 (irregu-
lar cavalry, who was well-mounted, 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 q 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 outupon the open plain the chase
became exciting, for the sowar, seeing
himself pursued, put forth every effort to
outdistance his foes, from whom he
would meet no mercy if overtaken.
Vandeleur being lightweight and a
good rider was gradually heading away
from his friend Benthorpe, when his
horse caught its foot in a 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 find that he was gain
ing on the sowar.
Suddenly the fellow wheeled half
round, and taking deliberate aim fired
at his pursuer, whose horse was hit and
fell under him.
BY this time VandeIeur rode up, when
Benthorpe shouted:
Frank, win her-save Cicelyw
Vandeleur's answer was to wave his
hand, as he kept straight on, like a
bloodhound on the scent of death.
"By heavens!" he hissed between his
clenched teeth, 'he'll escape me after all
if I'm not careful p
Snatchng a pistol from the holster. he
ferd, but the cap only snapped. With
an anathema of disgust, he produced its
fellow, and being noted shot, fired this
time with success, for the sowar reeled in
the saddle, and fell to the ground, still,
however, holding Cicely in his arms.
When Yandeleur's sword entered the
rebels body it was only just in time tC
save Cicely's life; another moment, anc
the fellows dagger would have bee;
plunged into her heart.
X
The war is over, and in dear old Eng
land Major Vandeleur stands at the alta
with Cicely Coghlan, Benthorpe being
best man.
Twas not till the honeymoon was owe
that Frank told his wife of the little in
cident Of "Who Wins9"
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Tho EmnnrNr,s Snnrnt