San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-07-11

4
Whizi
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 tho 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
Tor nearly hAlf an hour. The latter had
seised the captains small repeating rifle
and cautiously approached the window.
For some minutes the arrows from the
natives air guns few 30 thickly that he
was unable to get a shot at them; but
presently there came lull In the one
sided bombardmcnt, and the sharp crack
Of the rifle was followed by q death yell
from without.
But one rifle. although II kept back for
some time the assault Of the savages,
was not sufficient to drive them awny,
and late In the afternoon, Jacks car
tridges having given out, tho natives up
preached nearer to the cabin.
They seemed to realize that tho deadly
ammunition Of their enemies had become
exhausted. and were preparing for a
hand to hand conflict, knowing that they
outnumbered the inmates Of tho cabin
ten to one.
But as they cautiously approached the
hut. shooting almost constantly ut tho
door and windows, an unexpected but
powerful reinforcement came to the MD
of the tourists in the shape of thoir 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 tho
ammunition he could find into tho pilot
house, and loaded nearly dozen repeat
ing rifles before commencing to shoot.
When he finally opened Are he WINS able
to keep q steady stream Of bullets trained
upon tho savagcs, and this thoroughly
demoralized them and caused the major
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 1t 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.
at looks ter me-" said Bill to himself,
as several Of the sharp pointed sticks
few past him, las II we'd kinder got
inter hornets nest. These burned saw
ages will starve the boys out unless can
drive them of. guess I'll wait till after
dark and see II 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 tho ono best
suited for the speedy deliverance of his
fellow tourists. Itwould 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 tho vessel, thus distracting their
attention from his expedition.
He finally perfected a scheme that
would carry out his idea, and when night
fell, he had completed his arrangements
for liberating the tourists.
He secured all the rifles In O bundle
and slowed about his clothing alI the
cartridges he could carry. Then he set
the whistle on the boat to blowing. tying
back the valve cord, SO as to frighten
the natives and give them TO understand
that he was still on board. Tho vessel
was also provided with n large and reso-
nant brass bell, and the clappcr OF this
he connected by q cord with tho 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 a sound could be heard above
the hoarse shrek of the whistle, and the
loud ding dong Of tho bell
Just as the din commenced Bill lcapcd
on shore with tho 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
engineer 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 tho door. "It's me-Bill."
The door was cautiously opened and
the engineer crawlcd in, receiving a per-
feet ovation from the prisoners.
When they had divided tho rifles and
the captain said:
81 guess we'd better start for tho boat
at once. Under cover Of the darkness
we are moro sure 10 reach Il, and the |
noise OF the whistle win show us tho way.
Are you all readyY
Yea cano in chorus from tho res.. |
and the door was slowly opened
The captain went out first. followed In |
turn az intervals of q minute BY BuDco, |
Jack, Russell. BIZ and Georgia
Just as the latter started, the fun began.
The rifles kept cracking merTily. each
socceoding report sounding nearer and |
nearer 10 the boat. until the captain. with
Bn at his side. sprang on board. and the
o. the latter wa SIN further /
demonstrated By tie preparstions which .
be had made for repelling boandcrz
Two long pieces q rubber bose. Con-
0ecting with the boiling water n the
snEino ron, were brought into service,
sr,d vrhfle rrafffrr fo,r The rurlaiuder a J
be party 70 cone up. did valuable work
N keeping TIE savAges af . distance
The1 tie Lad u1an uas On board Bll /