Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-12-20


ports rang out IN his rear, and both the
English soldiers sank to the earth. shot
through the brain.
The underbrush on his side parted. and
with earth-quaking yells two tall forms
leaped forward, waving their heavy rifles
IN the air as II they were no more than
feathers.
Major Bridges saw that ne could save
his life alone by flight, and, hUEling his
sword at his antagonist, with a yell of
rage and fear wheeled about and disap-
peared like flash Of lightning into the
thicket.
Captain Alton caught the whizzing
blade upon his own sword, turned il
aside, and made q furious IunQs at the
flying officer. He 1eaped forward, and,
stumbling over the body Of one Of the
fallen redcOats, came down upon the
ground with no little violence.
He was up in a moment, and found one
Of his rescuerB bending over him, saying:
Griff, Crit, did he strike ye with his
tarnal old butcher-knife2"
NO, Jack-yOu have disObeyed orders.
You were to stay until come.
Yes; but when ST n me heerd them
guns crackin' we didn't think about or
ders, and come here like all possessed"
Come, Jack, let's hunt him down"
mo, nO-hurry back with me to the
fort. 1 now understand what the British
are up to. They have merely retired to
lGB BL0 Lldl-OL-Wb nave a I6lE c4duC6 10
lombard US.
The three Americans hastened to Ma
nOa, where they found their friends quite
anxious on their account. The shots had
been heard, and they very naturally sup
posed that the Americans were either
killed or prisoners.
Il could hardly stand still when I
heard them shots. said Simon to the
Captain. Il Jest supposed the pesky
Brltlshers were goin' to make mince
meat out O. ye afOre could git eout O.
town.
I am glad that you remained in town,
Simon, returned the young commander.
But how is the ship?"
Thar she is.
HAS she made move?"
Marry move. Looks jest like big
duck in pond asleep"
yes; but she's not asleep by any
means. This is only lula calm be-
fore the storm, Simon. They know they
have us like rats in a trap and are in no
particular hurry about coming to take
possession of their prey. They are play
ing with US as a cat does with a mouse
before deVOuring it.
We'll, Cap'n, I'd rather devour than be
devoured jist naoW," said the Yankee.
This was only a gentle hint that the SER
| geant was hungry.
Captain Alton glanced at the sun, and
| discovered that it had long since passed
the meridian.
Simon, have you tasted food today"
mo, Capn; I forgot to eat.
So did L. have not much appetite;
ont had we not better eat something to
sustain life? I find that I am. weaker than
L should be, and it must be that I lack
/ food and nOurishment.
We'll, Cap'n, I can soon hev some grub
ready fur We at your tent.
Griffith went to his headquarters and
sat down by the small table, on which
Simon spread cloth, and had the officers
dinner brought to him.
The sun was not more than an hour
above the horizon.
Jack Hatchet entered with his usual
familiarity and abruptness.
"CIriff. what ye goin to do with them
fellers?" he asked, throwing himself on
camp-stool.
Who, Jack?"
Them deserters.
"I declare kindergarten them. In the
turmoil and excitement of this morning
they had slipped my mind. Jack, have
! you had your dinner?"
Yes, Griff: Iehamped some cheese an
! crackers awhile ago.
Il wish you would go and bring Burnett
| and Dawes here. Wait; 1 viii give you a
/ written order for them"
! "Oh, dOgon a written order, Griff; faint
! no use, the blacksmith answered. Tom
! Rufies is guardin' EN-, an he'll believe
/ whatever 1 say.
But this must be done in military
like way"
ooh, I don't give a fig fur your military
| like ways I'm fur dOin' things quick,
and bein' right up to the handle.
| The order was written however, and
! placed in the hands of the blacksmith,
| who hurried away, and soon returned with
! the prisoners.
They came meekly, and yet somewhat
! sullenIy, into the presence Of the young
/ commander.
Gentlemen, we owe you an apology, &"
said Capt. Alton, rising from the table
! where he had Just finished his dinner.
! 1--WE have WrOngfully accused you and
/ shamefully treated you, considering the
/ service you rendered us, but allow me
/ now to inform you that you are both free
/ men,"
For few moments the prisoners stood
/ in silence. They were too much overcome
| by their emotions to speak
| Henry Dawes was about to make
! some remark when his companion checked
/ him.
NO, no, shipmate, this is no time for
/ rebukes," he said. If We have been
| harshly treated it was by friends who
/ misunderstood US. They did it for the
sake of America, and would we not
suffer ten times as much for our coun-
! trY?"
! BLOW my eyes, shipmate, if viii ever
utter a word o complaint, though ye lash
me to the long-tom and lay the cat on me
/ till the boats wain's arm gives out.
The sailors seated themselves, and
! Griffith continued:
You are at liberty now to go wherever
/ you wish. We will not attempt to restrain
you, but would like to have your assist
/ ance in our trouble.
THE man-o'-war still lays to, as if
she intended bombardin' the village. said
the deserter of the Xenophon.
Yes, and she only waits her own time.
The truth is, We ara in her power. for we
| cannot return a shot.
Why, are the guns spiked?"
mo; worse than that. If the guns