The Penn's Grove record., 1888-07-07
NUMBER 40.

but it did not appear to us that any OF
them had taken effect.
BY this time the black fellows had
gathered courag'. Believing our am
munltion was expended, many of them
had left cover, and might be seen fit
ting about like spectres. They had
kindled a fire some distance off, and
across its glare shadows were constantly
falling.
The fire brands were thrown no lon
ger; some fresh mode of attack was
preparing. Our suspense continued a
long period (nearly half an hour dur
ing which time not a word was spoken
by any of us; vi sole dependence was
the Doctor, and if help did not soon
arrive it was certain We could find no
escape from the demons who were try
ing to compass our destruction.
"Now. look slick" whispered Mat.
81 see their game, they're going to
give us fits. How's the moon!-well
aback of the hut, l guess. Bill, stick
your cabbage tree on a pillow, and
hold it at the open window when l tell
you. I'll just go out and bid them
good evening. Don't bar the door after
me. mister, but when l show them my
heels open it. You see we can't spare
ammunition"
While speaking Mat unbarred the
door. lie slipped out noiselessly as he
concluded the sentence.
Through the slabs he said to me,
"D'ye see that devil with the blazing
log? When he gifts to the waffle open
the window, and prop up the pillow.
Take care of their spears yourself"
As o o as the black fellow came to
the point indicated, L opened the
long, little shutter with some noise and
held up the dummy. In a moment q
dozen spears passed through the aper-
ture, and 1 let the window fall as
though one of us was mortally wounded.
There was a wild shout without. At
this time the black fellow who carried
the log was within a few yards of the
hut, and l heard Mat preparing for his
move outside. Looking out as quickly
as l could, l had Just time to see his
tall figure emerge beyond the shade as
the butt end of his gun fell crashing on
the head of the fire bearer. The door
was opened as Mat turned; 1t required
but one or two bounds to take him to
the door, but the savages were too
quick for him with their spears. He
staggered through tue entrance and
fell Just as he cleared the threshold.
"Caught in the thigh, l guess" he
exclaimed, as he slowly recovered him
self, and painfully struggled to the
window. "Don't mind the SPEAR" be
remarked to me as L approached him;
- y. Inftnr M 81 TO til holm onpnno -
''If it ever does" thought |.
The Americans sortie, l believe,
had rather a disastrous effect. for the
black fellows seemed to conclude at
once that our ammunition was all ex-
pended, and they thronged around the
hut without caring to shelter them
selves.
In a short time the cracking of the
flames on the roof put an end to Il
trouble. The hut was on fire, and
there was nothing left us hut an at
tempt to dash out and clear the abort
.gines. / proposed this, but Mr.. S.
would not try without Mat, and in.
derneath the blazing roof, with dubbed
guns, we grimly awaited the final at
tack. The Americans rifle rested in
the loophole where he had first taken
up his position.
There's the worst Of them," MAI
said, looking along his weapon; ''he's
coming up with a log to staye in the
door. He'll never do IT." and our last
bullet brought down the ringleader.
There was CONSERVATION and a hur-
ried conversation. After a lapse OF
about Eve minutes, the whole force Of
the besiegers rushed shrleking on our
little garrison. A moments surge
outside and the door fell back as Mr..
SIS gun swung down on the crowd.
ing savages with terrific force, feeling
two of the foremost like oxen. L re-
member a wild struggle with III guns
and fists. Mat and the squatter tow
cred above their opponents like giants,
lighting with terrible enrgy. The
black fellows had forced me to the
ground; one was shortening the grasp
Of the spear to drive it through my
body, when l felt a gush of blood
spouting over my face and chest, just
as the avage fell on me MORALLY
wounded. Then l remember a hurrah
outside, and the cracking of rifles.
"That was a good back-handed blow,
boss said Mat, family; 81 guess the
cooks got another squeak. Dye hear
thatp HoorayI Knowed the Doctor
would do it," said he, with renewed
energy; "take that" And L heard the
dull sound of another blow, and a low
moan of pain as the station hands
rushed In. The Doctor 500 recovered.
So did Mat, who is now n OF the
richest men In the colonies. l-well, i
have a large scar across my breast.