The Osceola times., 1884-07-26


side first shall win her hand-that is.
provided she is willing; the other fellow
must retire gracefully"
Benthorpe pondered over the propos-
al for few minutes, and then placing
his hand in Vandeleur's, said with all n
soldiers frankncss:
Done with YOU, old fellow, it's bar
gain. Ifyou win, I'll congratulate you !;
if /, | shall expect the same treatment
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
yards from where the pair sat were fly
ing about like hail, seeking billet in the
corporal frame Of some unlucky wight
who was unfortunate enough to get in
their way.
Round shot from long eighteen round
ers and shells from howitzers were bowl
ing about as ifthe vast maidan, or san
DIV plain, were a veritable skittle-alley
where Litans were amusing themselves at
favorite pastime, knocking over human
beings in lieu Of nine-pins.
But love is stronger than death, which
cannot quell 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 forever, sailing
over jasper seas to the music of angels
voices.
The moon had Just shown itself over
a tope of mango-trees when the cavalry
started on their errand ofmercy, to rescue
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 ofcannon became fainter and faint
err, until at last it ceased altogether. The
squadron rode through silent villages,
empowered in palm trees, whose tall tops
looked fairylike in the moonlight which
flooded everything.
A few village ours barked defiance,
and occasionally troop of iackals made
night hideous with their fearsome cries
A short halt was called near o tank, or
miniature lake, where the horses were
watered, and the men partook of such
refreshment as their haversacks afford
ed.
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 catter of their
swords and accoutrements awakening
the echoes of the night, and sounding
ominously of impending strife.
tones, remarked Vandeleur to Benthorpe
in stern tone. "I'm glad to hear firing;
it shows that the garrison are still hold
ing out" o.,
Benthorpe with grim smile. "For once
l shall become a combatant officer, and
shall use my sword to wound and slay,
instead of saving life. The black hounds
deserve neither pity nor consideration,
they have committed SO many atroci-
ties"
Every man of the British army shar-
ed these sentiments to the full, and re-
solved that, whenever the shock Of 4 bat
tie came, to neither ask for nor give
quarter to such dastardly foemen.
Swords leaped from steel scabbards,
and for 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 ar
row 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,
hand-to-hand fight was going on between
the garrison and the mutineers.
Vandeleur ana Benthorpe kept close
together and thrust and parried, and
gave downright blows, as they made
their way through swarms of dusky foe
men, whose faces blanched before the
courage displayed by British soldiers,
who if well-handled, are always irwin
cible until they fight with their brothers,
theAmericans
AT last Vendeleur was able to take
General Coghlan by the hand to congrat-
ulate him.
"Where is Miss Coghlan?" Benthorpe
asked.
"She was safe moment ago"
"By Heavens! that's her voice calling
for help!" exclaimed Vandeleur, as spur
ring 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 irregular
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 first to rescue Cicely.
II was race for love, and promised to
be a long one, for the rebels horse was
powerful animal, and kept up good
pace, in spite of its double burden.
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
would meet no mercy if overtaken.
Vandeleur being lightweight anl
good rider, was gradually heading away
from his friend Benthorpe, when his
horse caught its foot in hole and STUN
bled.
This gave Benthorpe the advantage,
and he was hot slow TO use it, for he shot
ahead with grim smile of pleasure, and
was pleased TO find that he was gaining
on the sowar.
Suddenly the fellow wheeled half
round, and taking deliberate aim fred at
his pursuer, whose horse was hit and fell
under him.
By this time Vandeleur rode up, when
Benthorpe shouted:
Frank, win her-save C'celyw
Nandeleur's answer was 10 wave his
hand, rs he kept straight on, like blood
hound on the scent of death.
"By lIeavens," he hissed betw cen his