The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-03-11


glided from the room, followed by the
major.
The plan was soon explained to the
men below, and a moment later Ismail's
dark figure was seen darting like an ar
row across the open space in front of
the building, followed by quick dis
charge of blank cartridges from the
marksmen at the loopholes. The sound
of firing drew the attention of the Sc
poys, several of whom ran forward to
meet him. In another instant he was
in the midst of them.
" can scarcely see for those bushes"
said Colonel Ayres; but he seems to be
showing them the wound on his shout
der, and telling them it was our doings."
AT that moment an eXultant yell from
the enemy came pealing through the
still air.
"That's the story of our being short
of water, for guineal" said the major.
a." 1t was very good idea of his. If it
only delays their attack two days longer
there may be time for help to arrive yet"
Slowly and YEARLY the long hours of
that fearful day wore on. The heat
was so terrific that even the native
soldiers of the garrison could barely
hold their own against it, and the hand
full of Englishmen were almost helpless.
Had the Sepoys attacked them then all
would have been over at one blow;
hour passed after hour, and there was
no sign of an assault. AT length, as
afternoon gave place to evening,
movement began to show itself in the
enemy's lines. Thin curls of smoke,
,;e oh 4ho oh hot hn
evening meal was in preparation, and
several figures, with pitchers in their
hands, were seen going toward the
river, among whom the colonel's keen
eye soon detected Ismail.
"By Georgel" cried the old soldier,
slapping his knee exultingly, "that
lads worth his weight in gold There's
his way down to the river right open to
him, without the least chance of sus-
picionl Why, he's a born general
nothing less! "
Every eye within the walls was now
turned anXiously upon the distant group,
fearing to see at any moment some
movement which would show that the
trick was detected. How did Ismail
mean to accomplish his purpose?
Would he plunge boldly into the river
without any disguise, or had he some
further strategem in preparation? No
one could say. Suddenly, as Ismail
stopped to plunge his light wooden
dipper into the water, it slipped from
his hands and went floating away down
stream. A cry of dismay, loud laugh
from the Sepoys, and then the boy was
seen running frantically along the
in, vain TO oil, al, ha
vessel as it floated past.
"What on earth is he up to?"
grunted the colonel, completely mys-
titled
'..I seer' cried Major Armstrong, tri-
umphantly, "there's boat yonder
among the reeds, and he is making
right for it. Well done, my brave boy!"
But at that moment yell of rage
from the Sepoys told that the trick was
discovered. Luckily those on the bank
had left their pieces behind, or poor
Ismail would soon have been disposed
of; but the alarm instantly brought up
a crowd of their armed comrades, whose
bullets flew like hail around the boat
and its gallant little pilot.
g Let us fire volley and make a
show of sallying out" said the colonel;
eth take their attention from him."
But in this he was mistaken. The
first rattle of musketry did indeed re-
call most of Ismai's assailants, but at
least dozen were left who kept up an
unceasing firing, striking the boat again
and again. All at once the colonel
pitiful groan. Between two gusts of
.,1-n 10 nI tI,a hoe
denly over, and go whirling away down
the dark river, keel upward.
"There's an end of the poor lad, :"
muttered the veteran, brokenly. God
bless him for brave little fellow! And
now, old friend, we must just die hard
for there's no hope left"
The first few hours of the night
passed quietly, and the exhausted de-
tenders, utterly worn out, slept as if
drugged with opium. But little after
midnight, the quick ears of the two vet
eran oflicers-the only watchers in the
whole garrison, except the sentries,
caught a faint stirring in the surrounding
thickets, which seemed to argue some
movement on the part of the enemy.
Listening intently for few moments,
they felt certain that they were right, and
lost no time in awakening their men.
The scanty stores of food were opened
once more, and, crouching together in
the darkness, the doomed men took
what they fully believed to be their last
meal on earth.
"They're coming" said Major Arm
strong, straining his eyes into the gloom
through a loop-hole. 4" hear them
creeping forward, though l can't yet
see them"
"What the deuce was that?" eX-
claimed the colonel, suddenly. 1T
looked like fiery arrow flying past.
:" It's worse than that" said the
major, in low voice. "The rascals are
shooting lighted chips of bamboo on to
the roof, to set it on fire. Send the wo-
men up with buckets TO flood the thatch
there's not moment to lose"
I'm go and see to it myself!n cried
Mrs. Currie, Fastening out of the
room.
But the power of this new weapon
had already become fatally manifest
The house was an old one, dry as tim
der from the prolonged heat, and as fast
as the flames were quenched in one
place they broke out in another. When
day dawned, the fire had already got a
firm hold of one corner of the building,
and crushing discharge was poured
upon all who attempted to distinguish