Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-01-10

down to zee what is the matter, then We
shall have our ambuscade ready, and
make them think they have entered a
hornets nest.
Griffith had taken from the British
officer the dispatch intended for Major
Bridges, and having both flint and steel,
he gathered up some dry sea-Weeds and
made a small light by which he read 1t.
The dispatch stated that news had Just
been received from Baltimore, and the
British army was in full retreat and the
Americans rising in every direction.
Their condition was growing desperate,
and they begged to be taken aboard ship.
Their artillery. they said, would have to
be abandoned to the enemy.
Griffith was we'll satisfied with the
course he had adopted, and waited pa
Eiently the return OF his comrades with
the boats and the recruits. With these
re-enfOrcements he might by a we'll
planned attack, drive the British back to
their former position and hold them there
until daylight, when they would not dare
to attempt to cross the beach. In the
darkness the enemy would have no idea
Of their number, and would very likely
imagine their forces to be ten times as
many as they were. he could hold them
back until daylight and then plant two
pieces of artillery and drive them away
if they should attempt to cross the sand.
It seemed ages before the boats came
Again and again did his anxious ears de-
ceiVe him into the belief that he heard
the dip of distant oars. But at each time
he was deceived. At last the welcome
sound came beyond doubt, and In three
minutes after he first heard the real dip
Of oars, two boats, loaded to the waters
edge with heavily armed Americans. came
into view.
They were landed, and Capt. Alton
discovered he had forty additional men.
I came, Griff, sad ST Cole. 4Ithort
ye'd hev scrimmage, maybe, an I'm not
gOin' to be one as is gOin' to be behind
when a scrimmage is on hand.
Very we'll, ST, I am glad you are
here. We viii now proceed at once to
carry out plans that Will insure victory. 4"
Five men were left to guard the boats,
and with the others, all the arms they
had, and all that had been taken from
the British, the Americans started across
the sandy beach toward the wood in
which the British infantry lay, waiting
and wondering Why their companions did
not return.
The Americans each had a rife, some
one, and some more pistols. Twenty
two of them had in addition to his own
gun British musket. They we're in re-
atty formidable body of men.
When they entered the forest path they
halted, and Silas Cole and three more
were sent ahead as scouts. In a few
moments they returned, saying the British
were coming.
e thought So" said Captain Alton;
it is time that they had grown uneasy. "
He hastily formed his men behind a
natural barrier of stone, and told them
to wait his orders to fire.
In few moments there could be heard
the steady regular tread Of men who had
been drilled to march. They came slowly
forward, and Captain Alton discovered
that they had not even taken the precau-
ton to throw out an advanced guard.
A long column of men massed in body
could be seen in the darkness. Very
dimly were they outlined. Nearer and
nearer they came, until only a few feet
lay between them and the concealed
Americans. Already the deadly rifles
were aimed at the British, and they, Un-
conscious of danger, still advancing.
Suddenly a sharp, clear voice rang out on
the air:
HFirnI"