The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1884-12-18


enough to get in their way.
Round shot from long eighteen
Founders and shells from howitzers
werc bowling about as If tho vast maid
an, or sandy plain, wore vcritable
skittle-alley where Titans wore anus
ing themselves at favorite pastime.
knocking over human beings in lieu of
nine-pins.
But love Is stronger than death, which
cannot quoll Its life, for while the black
angel itself dies when the last great
trump shall awaken the dead, both
small and great, love lives on for over,
sailing over jasper seas to tho music of
angels voices.
Tho moon had just shown itself over
tOpe OF mango-treos when tho cavalry
started on their errand of mercy. to
rescue women and children from death
and dishonor, and to succor brave men.
who 1T that moment wero battling
against great odds for dear life.
Delhi was soon left behind, and the
boom of cannon became fainter and
fainter, until at length it ceased alto
gether. The squadron rode through
silent villages, embowercd in palm
troes, whose tall tops looked fairylike
in the moonlight which flooded every-
thing.
A few village ours barked defiance,
and occasionally troop of iackals
made night hideous with their fear-
some cries.
A short halt was called near tank,
or miniature lake, whcro the horses
were watcred. and the men partook Of
such reficshment as their haversacks
| afforded.
This done, they saw to their girths,
and, rcmounting by word of command,
lest the sound OF tho trumpet should
warn tho rebels of their approach, they
galloped forward. the clattor of their
swords and accoutremcnts awakening
the echoes of tho night, and sounding
ominously of impending strife.
'By Jovc! they re ut it hammer and
tonSs,' remarked Vandclcur to Bon
thorpe in stern tone. "I'm glad to
hear firing; it shows that the garrison
are still holding out"
"Yos. Now TO rescue Cicely," said
Bcnthorpc 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 con-
| sidcration, they have committed so
| many atrocities"
Every man of the British army shared
these sentiments to the full, and re-
solved that, whenever the shock of bat
tie 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
wero almost rs motionlcss as statues.
Thon came the clarion notes of tho
hn oh
away went our brave fellows, straight
as an arrow from well-bont bow, for
tho cnomy.
The relief had come not a moment
too soon, for when the first British sa-
bro descended on tho head of rebel
Sepoy, n hand-to-hand fight was going
on between tho garrison and tho mutt
nccrs.
Vandcleur and Bonthorpe kept close
together, and thrust and parried, and
gaYo downright blows. rs they made
their way through swarms of dusky
tocmen, whose faces blanched before
the courage displayed by British sol.
diers. who, if well-handlcd, arc always
invinciblc.
AT last Vandolour was able to take
General Coghlan by/tho hand, and to
| congratulate him.
where is Miss Coghlanp" Ben
thorpe asked.
she was safe moment ago"
'By HeaVous! that's her voice call
ing for help! exclaimed Vandeleur, as,
squirting his horse forward, he rode in
that direction, followed by Benthorpe,
both OF whom saw tho woman they
loved in the arms of an officer of sowara
Qrrcgular cavalry), who was WE'LL
mounted, and at that moment was rid
Ing off with his lovely prize.
Both men rode after the wretch, ca
ger to be tho first to rescue Cicely.
1T was race for love, and promised
to be long one, for tho rebels horse
was powerful animal, and kept up a
good pace. in spite of its double bur-
then.
once out upon the open plain the
chase became exciting, for the sowar,
scelng himself pursued, put forth every
effort to outdistance his, foes. from
taken.
Vandcleur being lightweight and
n 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 pleas
urc, and was pleased to find that he
was gaining 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 Vandeleur rode up.
when Bcnthorpe shouted:
,Frank, win her-savo Cicelyr'
Vandeleur's answer was to wave his
hand, rs he kept straight on, like a
bloodhound on tho scent of death.
"By Hcavens!' he hissod between
his c,enchcd teeth. "ho'll escape me af.
ter all If I'm not careful"
Sn"tchmg pistol from tho holster.
he Iircd' but tho cap only snapped.
With an anathema Of disgust, he pro
duccd its fellow, and being noted
Shot, fired this time with success, for
the sowar rcclcd in the saddle, and fell
to the ground, still, however, holding
Ciccly in his arms.