Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-11-15
CHAPTER VA.
THE xEHoPHoN REr1BEs.

A heavy report made the earthworks
quake.
Grifith was on top of the breastworks
with his glass to his eyes. He saw a
shower OF splinters fly from the gunwale
Of the XenophOn. One of her guns was
dismounted, and several CHASTITY forms
were stretched upon the deck.
Wild yells of qualification rose from
the fort, and the Americans gathered
about Burnett, waving their hats and
cheering.
There is no time for rejoicing, ship
mates" he cried; load the gun again,
and, if we can hold out till night, I viii
either drive her out o. port or sink her. :"
While the gun was being reloaded,
Griffith took the sailors hand in his. 1
owe you an apology"
Mono. Your responsibility demand
ed caution, returned Burnett.
tee"
"say no more about it.
The gun was loaded, and again sighted
by the deserter.
This shot struck the foremost about the
height of a mans head above the deck,
and cut it in twain, SO that it fell over on
the larbOard deck, bringing down a wreck
of ropes and rigging.
Again the Americans made the Wellkin
ring with their shouts, but a shell ex-
ploded in their midst, killing six and
wounding three, and suddenly putting an
end to their ardor.
The officers aboard the man-of-war
learned that new hand was at the gun.
The third shot raked the bow deck,
sweeping down several, and knocking a
gun from it's carriage.
Wen lick 'em yet; see if we dOn'ti"
shouted the Yankee Who with infinite
delight had watched the effect Of the
shot.
Look out! there it contest" cried the
! deserter of the Xenophon, springing
| from the parapet where he stood during
the loading of the gun.
Every one knew to what he referred
when he cried, There it comes" The
thing represented in the neuter gender
was no more nor less than a ponderOus
/ shell hurled from the largest gun on the
| ship. Burnett sprang close under the
| parRpet the instant he had given the
| warning cry. Simon, who was sWabbing
| the great gun, had only time to throw
| himself beneath it, and others drOppS3
! to the earth as tremendous explosion
| shook the works and fragments Of the
| exploded shell scattered far and wide.
! One poor fellow, who was standing
! several rods away. was struck IN the head
] by a piece and sank to rise no more.
! Never mindi" cried the excited Yankee,
! springing to his feet and swabbing the
cannon with all his might; we'll pay 'er
! back fur that, naOw, see eff we dOan't.
| Lay low, Mr.. Burnett, said the young
| commander of the fort; don't expose
/ yourself until you come to sight the gun. Z"
Captain Alton had all the time been
/ standing on the top of the parapet,
utterly regardless of danger to himself.
Have a care for yourself, Captain, "
said the sailor rising from his place of
| refuge. as it consistent to advise others
| to be cautious and at the same time so
reckless1y expose yOurself?"
"5TbnTa & a GREAT 0Iffara0C6. Mr. Bur-
nett. replied the young commander.
| "YOur life is much more precious than
mine. If you should be snatched away
there would be no one left to aim the
long gun. No one save yourself viii be
able to hit the vessel"
aNaow she's ready!" cried Simon, with
his peculiar Yankee whine. Stand clar.
all on ye."
The deserter of the Xenophon again
sighted the gun and the match was ap'
piled. The report, like a burst Of thun-
/ der, shook the little fort, and a tremen-
! dOus volume of smoke Was waited away by
the breeze. The young commander, who
was watching the ship with his glass,
saw a shower of splinters fly from the
| deck of the XenOphOn, near the larbOard
| port, and a gun was thrown from its car
riage.
How was it, Grif?" cried Hatohet
the blacksmith. Jack could not, il
/
Alton by his title. But Griffith was no
such a strict disciplinarian as some Of
| fcers on such matters.
1T was a good shot" he cried. 81
bored her side. I see her deck is ALREADY
covered with dead and wounded. They
are in trouble, boys; give it to then
@Wa-al, naow, ye better reclzin wer,
not agOin' to let up on EN- very soon,
said Simon, who was again swabbing the
big gun. Hold yer thumb on that a.
touch hole, ST Cole, or the plaguey thing
may go of afOre we ar ready fur it. B"
Don't yer be skeered o. me, Yank, thu
shoemaker returned. holding his thumb
over which leather flap was fixed, Oh tn
tOuch-hOle. I'm not a-gOin to squirm
though the drafted things gittin' hot.
She'll git hotter afOre this days over
Here, bOy-yOu with the powder, cried
Simon. Bring 'er here, and let's sla1
'er in"
The powder-monkey approached rathe
cautiously, for the screening shells ant
whistling shots, with the scenes Of dealt
about him, had somewhat intimidRted tn
little fellow.
Hurry up thar, yOungster, or tn
ship'll put abeOut, and be gone afOre W
git a chance to blow her eout Of tn
water, cried Simon.
The poWder-mOnkey handed him tn
cartridge, and he rammed it home. Mex
came a man with wadding, then the ball
which was rammed home. In the mean
while, two more shots from the vessel b
Whistled about the fort, while on the ives
side artillery and muskety were CONSTANT
playing. ShaEpshooters were at work o.
both sides, and Major Bridges artiller
was knocking the sand and gravel i
showers from the breastwOrk
The British artillery was superior {
the American guns, but the American
had an advantage In sharpshootera
) / Those old squirrel-hunters, who had bee.
{ marksmen from. boyhoOd, we're just i
place, as. screened behind trees, the
picked of the British gunners. AgaL