Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-11-08


way.
The Americans reached the hill above
the village of ManOa. The stars and
stripes could be seen flying over the vii
/ lage below, and they could hear the
shouts Of their friends in the fort.
Major Bridges had only been able to
( bring up a hundred of his regulars, and
/ he realized that whatever was done must
/ be done at once. He ordered his soldiers
/ to fix bayOnets and charge the retreating
/ Americans. Griffith, compromising his
/ design, halted his men, faced them about,
! and, taking an advantageous position,
/ met them with a yolley which greatly
-thinned their ranks, and caused them to
/ retreat in disorder.
/ Re-eRfOrcements headed by Simon Kin
man himself, came up the hill at run
/ from the fort, but the last Briton had
! left the field. Two dead and one wounded
/ redcoat was all that remained. Major
! Bridges, doubtless knowing the folly Of
| attacking ManOa without the co-Opera-
! ton 1.-THE Xenophon, fell back to Bel
/ fast, where he was to await the coming
/ of the man Of-War.
! TITS a pity; yes, sir, it's g darnation
! pity, said KInman, when he saw the red
/ coats rstreating over the hill. Jest when
! Teller gets his jinks to wOrkin' easy the
! cowardly redcOats skip eOut."
! He was very much inclined to follow
/ them, but Captain Alton ordered all into
! the works, and he was too good dis
! Ciplinarian not to obey.
] Well, we're here at last, said Zeke
! Gross, as they entered fertilization, but, I"
/ he added, dismally, they'll haV the yoke
on our necks yet.
why halo, cried the Yankee, stop
| ping and gazing at the farmer from head
| to foot You're the faillOW that give US
| suthiD' to eat when the Britishers come
an made rs git eout Still afraid o that
yes, sighed Zeke. They'll hev it
round our necks, too"
They'll find me worse than a kicIzin'
keoW to yoke, said Simon.
The Americans were almost exhausted
with their long, rapid march in the heat
| and dust, and many threw themselves on
! the ground and remained mOtiOnless for
| hours.
The work Of fortifying went on ali day,
and the sarthwOrks were almost com
pleted when night came. Simon, who
had served a few months in the artillery,
was enabled to direct the mounting Of
the guns.
The long twenty-four, which was really
| a formidable gun, was mounted and
ranged so as to sweep the ocean. Two of
the smaller pieces were on the seabOard
side, while the others were to protect
them from a land attack. The Americans
were without any practical artillerist,
but Simon, who had q little knowledge
of the cannon, began drilling some OF
them.
It was the middle of the afternoon and
Griffith was busy experimenting the
works, when a boy came to him with the
information that one of the sailors who
had been captured the night before wish
ed to see him.
Il wonder what he wants, said the
young commander, impatiently. At first
he thought he would pay no attention to
the request, but somehow it strangely
hn n n 101r m
him.
We'll, Mr. Burnett, what do you want?"
Captain Alton asked. There was some
thing in the lofty mein of that grand
looking sailor which commanded the re-
spect of everyone.
Il wish to talk to you a few moments
on our defense" said Burnett, who was
pacing the floor of his prison restlessly,
and occasionally gazing out Of the win
dow on the works. Il see your men lack
skill in planting the cannon"
Griffith was forced to admit that they
did.
I suppose they also lack skill in using
artillery"
4They do, but they hope to acquire it. "
The sailor shook his head, and after a
moments silence continued:
. line mGn-O war is prepared with good
gunners and heavy guns, ana In the end
will pound you to pieces, Captain Alton.
l think, however, if your heavy twenty
four was properly managed it could drive
the AenophOn away, or sink her, but it
will require an experienced gunner to
do it.
'What do you propose?" asked Griffith.
Il was the best gunner aboard the
XenOphOn. Captain MOnteith admitted
that; now L volunteer to man the heavy
twenty four.
Il thank you, said Griffith, "but con
slider our pOsition-cOnsider the imputa-
tiCn against you of being a spy, and think
if I, as reasonable officer could consent
under all those circumstances to give
you such an important position. You
may be all right, sailor, and do not say
you are playing false, but your presence
here, outside OF the testimony of your
self and companion, has not been ac-
counted for.
An expression of painful disappoint-
ment passed over the face of the prisoner,
and after a few moments he said:
you talk very sensibly; but will you
permit me to accompany you, and make
some valuable suggestions as to the
planting of the cannOn?"
There seemed to be no possible harm
in this, and Griffith assented. Both OF
the prisoners were given the privilege of
the camp, but persons were appointed to
| keep a strict watch over them, and shoot
them on their making the slightest at
tempt to escape.
They accompanied the young CON-
mander, and Burnett made some very
valuable suggestions as to the improve
ments in the works and mounting the
/ cannon. His plans were SO reasonable
that the artillery was mounted and ar
ranged under his directions. He even
gave instructions to two or three gun
squads that were drilling.
Simon, what do you think of him?'
asked Griffith of the Yankee.
The Yankee shook his head in a puzzled
manner, and answered:
q dOsnt eggsactly know, Cap'n, but
wouldn't trust i'm too far till ye find i'm
eout.
Il do not intend to, Simon. We will