Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-11-15
TEE MYSTERIOUS GUNNER
An Exciting Story of the War
of 1872
By JOHN R. ArUsICE
CHAPTER vI.-CContinuedl.


sending shot and shell at the fort with
precision which spoke of experience. It Is
useless to say that our herO's hopes sank
within him. A shell was thrown into the
fort, and, exploding, killed one man and
wounded three more. The Americans
had grown grim and determined. There
was little fear Of panic now. Those
heavy balls which constantly made their
works trembls and scattered dirt, sand
and gravel all over the defenders, seemed
to brighten them no longer.
A grim despair had settled down over
every one. Even Zeke Gross became
sullen and silent.
wen fight EN- as long as there's an
ounce Of powder, but they'll have the
yoke on our necks after all, he declared.
They'll never git it on mine, the
blacksmith retorted.
Boom! whiz! bang! came a shell eZ-
ploding above the works beneath which
Zeke and the blacksmith were lying.
Wonder if them blasted things would
hurt feller?" said the blacksmith.
Il don't keer to try EN-, answered
Simon. who had lain down afew m oments
to rest.
The sun was well up, and the day bade
fair to be exceedingly hot. About ten
o'clock in the forenoon the British land
forces under Bridges come to Belfast, and
planting their artillery on the hill, began
pounding on the west line of works.
Leaving the east line under the manage
ment of Simon, our hero had the guns at
the west manned, and, deplOying fifty
sharpshOOters among the rocks and
stumps, drove the forces under Major
Bridges back over the hill.
In the meanwhile the man-of-war had
been firing away at the fort with such
remarkable precision that the coolest
defenders became alarmed.
Despite the fact that the Americans
were using the long twenty-fOur to the
best of their ability, the British actually
got out a warp under fire, and beg an
slowly coming into the harbOr to make
their fire more effective.
Noon came, and the Americans had not
touched the ship. The women and chill
dren of the village had been sent to
bOmb-proof building dug in the side Of
the hill, among them Ola and her foster
father
Jest let old sea-dog manage the long
TOM" came a voice from behind Griffith.
He turned about, and to his astOnish-
mont, saw Captain Gatrell, the old sea
captain.
aWhat, you here, Captain GatrelI?
Get back to safety. Why are you expos
ing yourself to danger?" cried Griffith.
Dye see that, shipmate, and that, and
that?" asked the sailor, pointing to three
or four dead and wounded Americans who
lay within the works. why did they eX-
pose theirselVes?"
They were strong; you are old and
feeble, answered our hero.
That's no proof agin iron an lead,
shipmate We've got to all lend hand,
an I'm. an old hand at the gun, though
I've handled the reef riggin' Oftener than
the bOardin'- pike. 1 know how to pint
her. Let me heV a chance"
Griffith was almost in despair. The
old sailor pointed the gun at the ship,
and, aiming it with an experienced eye,
gave the command. Simon applied the
match
Griffith watched the path Of the ball,
and to his infinite satisfaction saw the
splinters fly from the fore crOss-tree,
which was cut in twain, so that a part of
the rigging hung down loosely by the
mast.
shout of Joy went up from the fort.
I told ye that an old sea-dog could
stop emil" exclaimed Captain Gatrell.
EFF she don't scud afore the wind I'll
give her shot that'u rake her from stem
to stern"
The next shot pierced the mainsail and
sent the cOrdage flying in every direction.
The man-Of-War now cast anchor and
ceased Warping in.
After a few more shots the firing ceased
for the day, and the Americans buried
their dead, cared for the wounded, drilled
their raw recruits and mended the works.
Capt. Alton, said a voice at our hero s
side. He turned and saw it was Burnett,
3
the conflict will become warmer tO-mOr-
row. Can you not consent for me to
handle that gun?"
The Captain shook his head.
Captain, with you it is only matter
of short captivity" said the sailor, while
with me it is to hang at the yard arm. 3"
Captain Gatren has displayed excel
lent skill"
Let me try one shot.
We have no shots to spare" said
Captain Alton, and he turned away from
the sailor, who for moment gazed sorrow
fully at the great gun. and then walked
away to the guard house.
The Americans were little more hope
full, for the night had closed IN, leaving
them with the belief that Captain Gatrell
could point the long tom successfully.
Morning was ushered in by a fearful
cannOnading from ship and shore.
The American gunners returned the
fire with great spirit. Captain Gatrell
directed the loading and firing of the
long tom.
During the night the Xenophon had
come closer to shore, and now lay broad
side to the American works. dozen
cannon from her side continually belcheC
forth a shower Of iron hail, shot, and
shell. The sand and gravel few in every
direction from the works.
Captain Gatreu was sighting the CUR
FOR the ninth shot, when a shell exploded
near him, and he fell, senseless and
bleeding.
ooh, father, father" cried Ola, run
ming to where the soldiers were raisinG
the limp and apparently lifeless form
from the ground.
Go back, Olaf For heavens sake
don't come out in this storm of death,
cried her lover.
The weeping girl followed the wound
cd man to the bOmb-proof retreat. Cap
tain Gatreu had been struck in the sid
and on the head, and the village docto
thought his wound fatal.
There was no one now to sight Tia
nm sr6 the consanuerces were that Tn,