San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-07-05

ceiye me kindly, and I'll tell them that you
are all dying of thirst, and that they need
only waiC a day more a. be sure Of you, so
that they won't come to make another at
tack. Then, when they have no suspicion,
and think rD quite one Of themselves, I'll
steal away and slip across the river"
"But are you quite sure the Sepoys will
believe you" asked Maj Armstrong, doubt.
fully.
They'll telieve this, any how" replied the
hoy, deliberately making q deep cash in his
bare shoulder, and staining his white frock
with the blood, as he glded from the room,
followed by the major. ...
The plan was soon explained to the men be
low, and a moment later Ismail's dark figure
was seen darting like an arrow across the
open space in front of the building, followed
by quick discharge of blank cartridges
from the marksmen at the ioopholes. The
sound of firing drew the attention of the
Sepoys, several Of whom ran forward to
meet him. In another instant he was in the
midst of them.
II can scarcely see for those bushes" said
Col. Ayres; but he seems to be showing
them the wound on his shoulder and telling
them it was our doing"
At that moment an exultant yell from the
enemy came peeling through the still air.
"That's the story of our being short of
water, for a guineal" said the major; sit
was a very good idea of his. If it only de-
lays their attack two days longer there may
be time for help to arrive yet"
Slowly and YEARLY the long hours of that
fearful day wore on. The heat was so ter
rife that even the native soldiers of the gar
rison could barely hold their own against it,
and the handful Of Englishmen were almost
helpless. Had the Sepoys attacked them
then, all would have been over at one blow,
but hour passed after hour, and there was
no sign of an assault. AT length, as after
noon gave place to evening, movement be-
gan to show itself in the enemy's lines. Their
curls of smoke, rising above the trees, showed
that the evening meal was in preparation,
and several figures with pitchers in their
hands were seen going toward the river,
among whom the colonel's keen eye soon de-
tected Ismail.
''By GeOrger" cried the old soldier, slap
ping his knee exultingly, that lads worth
his weight in gold There's his way down to
the river right open to him, without the least
chance of suspicion! Why, he's born gen
eral-nothing lessr
Every eye within the wall was now turned
anXiously upon the distant group, fearing to
see at any moment some movement which
would show that the trick was detected. How
did Ismail mean to accomplish his purpose:
Would he plunge boldly into the river with
out any disguise, or had he some further
stratagem in preparationl No one could say.
Suddenly, as Ismail stopped to plunge his
light wooden dipper into the water it slipped
from his hands and went floating away down
the stream A cry of dismay, a loud laugh
from the Sepoys, and then the boy was seen
running frantically along the bank and try
ing in vain to clutch the vessel as it fOated
past.
"What on earth'S he up too" grunted the
colonel, completely mystitied
81 see!" cried Maj. Armstrong, triumph
antly: there's a boat yonder among the
reeds and he's making right for it, Well
done, my brave boy"
But at that moment yell Of rage from the
Sepoys told that the trick was discovered.
Luckily those on the bank had left their
pieces behind, or poor Ismail would soon
have been disposed of; but the alarm in
stantly brought up a crowd of their armed
comrades, whose bullets fell like hail around
the boat and its gallant little pilot.
LET us fire a volley aud make a show of
sallying out" said the colonel; ''itll take
take their attention from him."
But in this he was mistaken. The first rat
tie of musketry did indeed recall most OF
Ismail's asSailants, but at least dozen were
left who kept up an unceaslng fire, striking
the boat again and again. All at once the
colonel dashed his glass to the floor, with
frightful oath Between two guests of smoke
he had seen the boat turn suddenly over, and
go whirling away down the dark river, keel
upward q
There's an end of the poor lad, muttered
the veteran, brokenly. "God bless him for a
brave little fellow. And now, old friends,
we must die hard, for there's no hope left"
The first few hours of the night passed
quietly, and the exhausted defenders, utterly
worn out, slept as if drugged with opium.
But a little after midnight the quick ears of
the two veteran oficers-the only watchers
in the whole garrison, except the sentries
acknowledgements a faint stirring in the
surrounding tickets, which seemed to argue
some movement on the part of the enemy.
Listening intently for few moments, they
felt certain that they were right, and lost no
time in awakening their men. The scanty
stores of food were opened once more, and,
crouching together in the darkness, the
doomed men took what they fully believed to
be their last meal on earth.
They're coming" said Maj. Armstrong,
straining his eyes into the gloom through
loophole. Il hear them creeping forward,
though can't yet see them"
"What the deuce was thatn exclaimed the
colonel, suddenly. 1T looked like fiery ar
row flying past"
..It,s WORSE thnn that - said the ma iOr. in q