Wichita eagle., 1889-07-26

night" said Mr.. Etynge. ''The building
is stout one and proof against botl
wild beasts and wild men. Suppose &
couple of you youngsters go down to the
boat and get some bedding"
Jack and Russell stepped TO the door
but drew back suddenly, the former
reckoning to the captain as he did SO.
There's crowd of natives coming
this way" he whispered Look through
! the window while we bar the door,"
Mr.. Etynge sprang to the small win
dow and glanced towards body Of men
rapidly advancing in the direction of the
cabin. They were within gunshot before
catching sight of the house, then they
fell back, concealing themselves behind
some trees and bushes, and jabbering
away like an army Of monkeys
"Well." said Russell, as he and Jack
finished barring the door. ''thie is nice
adventure, isn't it2 The idea of leaving
the boat with only one rifle among usr'
They looked into each others faces,
but no one spoke.
Whiz!
A short, thick, sharp pointed piece OF
wood flew through the window and bur-
led itself in the opposite wall Another
and another followed, some Of them
striking the cabin and others coming in
by way Of the open window.
The men threw themselves on the
floor, at Bunco's suggestion, and all but
Jack Campbell remained in that position
for nearly half an hour. The latter had
seized the captains small repeating rifle
and cautiously approached the window.
For some minutes the arrows from the
natives air guns flew SO thickly that he
was unable to get a shot at them; but
presently there came a lull in the one
sided bombardment, and the sharp crack
of the rifle was followed by death yell
from without
But one rifle, although it kept back for
some time the assault of the savages,
was not sufficient to drive them away,
and late in the afternoon, Jacks car
tridges having given out, the natives ap-
preached nearer to the cabin
They seemed to realize that the deadly
ammunition of their enemies had become
exhausted, and were preparing for
hand to hand conflict, knowing that they
outnumbered the inmates of the cabin
ten to one.
But as they cautiously approached the
hut shooting almost constantly at the
door and windows, an unexpected but
powerful reinforcement came to the aid
of the tourists in the shape Of their en-
gineer on board the launch
Bill was slow to comprehend the real
danger of his friends position; but when
he did SO he at once made preparations
for their relief. He gathered all the
ammunition he could find into the pilot
house, and loaded nearly dozen repeat
ing rifles before commencing to shoot.
When he finally opened fire he was able
to keep steady stream of bullets trained
upon the savages, and this thoroughly
demOralized them and caused the ma or-
ity to retreat precipitately from the hut
and turn their attention toward the river.
Bill was not particularly noted for his
craftsmanship, and not more than one
in every twenty bullets took effect; but
the unceasing fire was too much for the
natives, and they broke and ran like SO
many sheep.
For few minutes it looked as though
Bills plan would enable those imprisoned
in the hut to make their escape; but with
the cessation of the firing the courage of
the natives returned, and they speedily
placed the cabin between themselves and
the vessel Then they sent half dozen
particularly good shots at the doughty
engineer.
''It looks ter me-" said Bill to himself,
as several of the sharp pointed sticks
flew past him, las if we'd kinder got
inter a hornets nest. These burned saw
ages will starve the boys out unless can
drive them off. l guess I'll wait till after
dark and see if l can't carry some rifles
to them"
For some time afterwards the mind of
the engineer was busily engaged in choos-
ing from number of plans the one best
suited for the speedy deliverance of his
fellow tourists. 1t would be necessary to
reach the cabin without alarming the
savages, and at the same time leave be-
hind him some indication of his presence
on board the vessel, thus distracting their
attention from his expedition.
He finally perfected scheme that
would carry out his idea, and when night
fell, he had completed his arrangements
for hberating the tourists.
He secured all the rifles in a bundle
and slowed about his clothing all the
cartridges he could carry. Then he set
the whistle on the boat to blowing. tying
back the valve cord, so as to brighten
the natives and give them to understand
that lie was still on board. The vessel
was also provided with large and reso-
nant brass bell, and the clapper Of this
he connected by cord with the plung-
ing piston rod, for he had set the engine
gently to working. The result must have
puzzled and amused the captives as much
as it alarmed the natives, and for few
minutes not sound could be heard above
the hoarse shrek of the whistle, and the
loud ding dong of the bell
Just as the din commenced Bill leaped |
on shore with the rifles and ammunition
and set out in the darkness for the cabin. |
Twice he stumbled and fell, and several |
times caught sight of dark forms NOV |
ing about him, for the cabin was sur
rounded by savages. Buff they saw the
they must have taken him for |
one of their own number, and he reached /
the front of the cabin in safety.
Hey, there" he whispered, rapping
lightly on the door, Its me-Bill."