Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-11-08
CHAPTER VI.
THE LAST RESORT.


A tremendous report shook sea and
land, and, with a kissing scream, a solid
shot few through the air above the village
of Manoa.
Hi, tumble up-tumble up, every
body!" reared Jack Ratchet, Ieaping
down from the parapet.
Cit eOut o. yer beds an put yer shout
der to the Wheeii" cried Simon, spring
ing from his tent, only half dressed.
DayWas daWning, and out to sea could
be seen the huge man-Of-War that all
night long had been slyly Warping into
the harbor. She was yet over a mile
away, but to the villagers, startled from
their slumbers by the quaking report,
she seemed but a few yards distant.
Ten minutes later the shot was an
swered by another from Major Bridges
field piece, at Belfast.
oh, they've got us surrounded-they'l II
never stop now till they git the yoke on
our necks, grOaned Zeke Gross.
ooh, shet up, cried Ratchet. We're
goin to lick them fellers in spite o.
thunder"
For a few moments the widest excite
ment and confusion reigned. There
really seemed danger of a panic. The
awful reality of being surrounded by an
enemy, of a siege, burst with such force
upon the raw recruits that it was all our
young commander could do to prevent a
general stampede.
He mounted a goods box which stood
near and reminded them that they were
Americans in defense of their homes.
their wives and children, and urgently
appealed to their patriotism and courage.
Even while he was speaking a second
boom shook the sea and earth, and
heavy ball struck the outside Of the
works, sending earth and sand in every
direction. But the young commander
paid no heed to it and soon got the re-
cruits quieted down.
Nov, said he in conclusion, only a
few are wanted at present, just enough to
manage the cannon; the others 60 to
breakfast and then lie low and rest until
your turn comes.
"Cap'n," said Simon, as our hero
ceased speaking, hadn't We better begin
to let that Long Tom answer.
"Yes, Simon, load it and let the man
Of-war have the contents"
The long brass gun was loaded and
shOtted, and then Simon sighted 1t him
self and cried, @Fire!"
Ratchet, who stood near with a red
hot iron rod, applied it to the touch hole
and Immediately there followed a report
which almost shook the raw recruits
from their feet.
Griffith, who stood on the paIisade, his
glass to his eyes, saw the ball strike the
water before it reached the vessel. The
shot eVinced poor workmanship. He
Blgn6Q ana DfC9r6u Cn9 gun TO De reload
ed. The two puffs of smoke which had
risen from the ship had foated off some
distance from the deck, and each indi-
Yidual cloud was rising above the water.
At this moment Griffith saw a third
wreath of smoke curl up from the fore
castle of the vessel, and the next moment
a powerful shell went screaming by with
in four or i've feet of his head, passing
over the town When about half way
over 1t exploded.
Fortunately, however, no harm was
done other than killing a mule which had
been used in the works.
ooh, that amt nutin', said Simon
with a laugh. Jest wait till ye git used
to it.
"B-but will one ev-ev-ev-ever cit used
to it?" asked Zeke Gross, trembling with
fear
Course ye viii, put in the black
smith. why, when ye'Ve fit here six
months every day n this way, ye won't
mind them things more n sparks from a
forge
Il guess Ratchet II have some Of the
eoncelt taken out o. him If one O. them
big bullets hits I'm, said Cole.
Simon IN the meanwhile had the heavy
cannon swabbed and loaded He eleVat-
ed it this time, and when the shot was
fred the BAH few TO the larbOard and
mis- sed ths vessel a half cables length,
ITO BE Continued