New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-09

| Both the girls on their side regarded vane
with feelings far different from those Of ordinary
interest. But IL IL CHARACTERISTIC Of each. that
Nary Ssns ns sSsSos the s horS
nor would have considered the subject Of much
interest il she had
anxious, restless and uneasy. IL is true that at
that moment nothing alarming was either to be
seen or heard Nc. noise Of war was in the air !;
In the earlier days Of the siege there had been
continued assaults upon the walls, but these had
now been given up as hopeless. and except for
the huts and baxaars Of the Scpoys around the
walls, the place was. still. But over all there
hung cloud Of fear; sense Of impending dan
ger, as Of the sword hanging by single thread :
the cruel uncertainty as to what was going to
happen, which makes the peculiar horror Of pas
sive siege. In such o situation the ear is always
listening, the nerves are ready 10 start at every
sound, and the mind Is kept stretched constantly
upon the rack,
vane, on entering the room; had no knowledge
that the two girls were at that moment on the
veranda, 90 near to his own window. He had Just
been round the station. and had got together
with some difficulty half dozen men who could
ne spared from active duty at the watch-posts on
the walls, and these as he had given orders, were
now collected about the door of the room. await
ing his arrival. -Four we're English, two were
Sikhs-every man of them, as vane knew well. TO
DC trusted 10 the death. =
These men be now placed on one side of the
table, while he himself stood on the other. Then.
OF the service for which they were required: add
ing tnat he only wished for volunteers, and that
any amy. man r., who disied the duty might retire at
inted gravelv: the British soldiers. true 70
the immemorial custom Of their race when called
upon to face special danger, broke into cheer.
but he said simply:
The man that goes out first will run by far
the greatest risk. Who will undertake that duty ~
There ,I Were; as already stated. six men pres
Civ v;srbf I,or al,
mediately salnted-there were six competitors for
the privilege of being the first mark of the Sepoys'
cannon. Vane smiled.
We must draw lots. sec" he said.
Opening shallow drawer in the Ia BILE. he took
out Of it pack of cards
Here are seven Of us, he continued al am
us receives certain card-we will say the Knave
OF Spades-will be the man selected.
He cut the pack. The deal began.
hush fell On the six spectators-the hush of
rising interest Except for the slight futtering
noise made by the falling cards. not a sound was
to be heard. Strange. that there is something in
suspense which affects the mind more strongly
tered, without space Of hesitation, to face the
risk of death. Yet. not one of them could now
look on without tingling of the blood, as they
life. Z
Such was their absorption, that they did riot
see two faces which came suddenly peeping In
upon them through the window Of tf6' room
The two girls on the vcranda had been startled
by hearing all at once the sound of Voices IL the
room close by them. From their position they
could not avoid Overhearing every word that
passed. They heard the short speech in which
Vanc announced to the men ne danger which
threatened the well and the DUTY which was en-
pected Of them they heard Eis appeal for volnn-
tecrs and then the cheer which followed So far
they had remained motionlkss eagerly drinking in
the details Of the proposed adventure: but when
Vane took out the pack cards in order to select
a man by lot to listen, without seeing, was i'm
M "a n .,,,,x fonA
sesp!nSg in at the window, IN tine manner just
From this poSz.ien they could see clearly every
card as 1t VAST dealt. The cards fell slowly. one
by one, befor each man in turn. The deal went
ro 1r BY card as it appeared the focus Of
rounding Knave Of Spades as yet appeared. The
fourth r,egan; would that complete the circuit
OF the seven? The pack growing thin. and
expectation deepened now with every card. Where
was dthe Knave Of Spades? IL must cone Son
Agar the cards went round.
mo! Not quite. AS the last card fell face
.pward the table, thrill went through the
nerves of the spectators. The two girls at the
window shrank back suddenly, MS If they had
been shot. There the fatal card at last!
The lot had fallen to vane himself!
down the pack. -
"That decides it," he said II go first. You
will meet me Mt the archway in half an hour from
this time it then will be dusk, and we will give
ourselves what chance we can; ! shall go OUT
alone the rest of you will wait under cover of
the archway and will rush out the moment they
fire at me- II l fall, two Of you must bring. me
in-Sanderson and King can do II. The other four
must try to get bucketful Of water each-there
will be time for that think, though it will be
sharp work. Remember: at the archway, with
all ready, in half an hour