Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-01-17

and soon the gangWay was blocked with
the fallen.
Every other point from which the
enemy would be likely to emerge was
guarded. The fight still went on. Those
below made desperate efforts to get above.
They emptled vOlleY after TOlIey Of
pistol shots at the Americans, and many
a brave fellow fell upon that deck never
to rise again.
Suddenly from the cabin there rose
shouts high above the din of battle, and
q dozen British officers ana sailors burst
through the band of flashing steel and
reached the deck
Close up the gap, never mind these,
Numbered our hero, fastening to the
scene at the head of a score of men.
AHA, you knaves it is you whom we
may thank for this Visit?" shouted voice,
which our hero recognized as none other
than Major Bridges.
at is I, you scoundre1l" shouted Cap
tain Alton, crossing swords with him.
@This shall be combat to the deathl"
There was fierce fighting all around on
every side. Major Bridges was not so
cool as he had been on the other Occa-
sion, and from the first Captain Alton had
him at a disadvantage. Backward, back
ward, he fought step by step, growing
more and more alarmed as he discovered
himself separated from his companions
and confronted by so determined a man.
ing blows upon the sword Of his antagO-
mist, hoping to drive him back. In one
of these strokes he neglected his guard
and raised his sword too high.
In second Captain Atoms sWOrd-pOint
dropped to the Briton's breast, and ike a
fash of lightning the bright blade disap-
peared beneath his vest almost to the hit.
Griffith seized the uplifted sword arm,
but this precautlOn was unnecessary. The
arm was paralyzed, and the sword dropped
from the nerveless grasp and rang with a
clatter on the deck.
Griffith found the Major sinking and
quickly jerked the blade from his body.
Bridges sat down, leaning against a gun
carriage, pressing his hand tightly upon
his breast to stop the flow Of blood. A
moment his body tO,tered. and he fell
over on his side. Life had flown.
Griffith had just wheeled around when
the clash of swords near him attracted his
attention Hurrying to the scene he
found the desePter of the XenOphOn and
Captain MOnteith engaged in deadly
conflict.
Don't touch him-leave him to me-,
cried Mr.. Burnett as Captain Alton was
about to run the Captain through.
Captain Alton found other work near.
A British tar was attacked by two IN
| trained village boys, and was about to
prove too much for them. The young
commander of ManOa just got in in time
to make the Englishman surrender. The
sailor was disarmed and put under a
guard.
At this moment Captain Alton heard
clash of swords, and looking about saw
Captain MOnteith fall, his skull cleft in
twain from a stroke CT the eutlass of his
antagonist.
The British never fully recovered from
! their first surprise. The Americans had
! a decided advantage over them, although
! they were Unskilled in the use of arms.
Less than hundred ever succeeded in
/ reaching the n-deck, and of these half
were driven back; the others were slain
! or surrendered within a few moments.
| The combat had ragged about thirty
minutes, whel cry from below came up:
! Quarter! quarter!"
Throw down your arms, then. and
| your lives shall be spared, cried the
/ American captain.
There was a ring of falling cutlasses
! upon the lower deck.
The Americans paused, leaned upon
their swords and wiped the PerspiratiOn
| from their faces. The battle was over
/ and they had conquered.
Griffith Alton looked about over the
| bloody deck a moment, and then seeing
the deserter of the NenOphOn not far
away, fastened to him and said
"Mr. Burnett, you can not appreciate
my anxiety in regard to a certain young
lady who is a prisoner aboard this vessel.
| VIII you be kind enough to secure the
prisoners, remove the dead and care for
the wounded while I look after her?"
Brave, noble fellow, you have served
your country we'll, now leave all to me.
Hunt up the young lady and I viii attend
to all. 1 Will even sail the ship into
port as soon as daylight appears, with the
American flag at her mast head.
Captain Alton thanked the deserter
and, turning to a British sailor, asked
Z 1DIr
captive was.
4 do, the tar answered.
Then take me to her at once"
Come this way, said the sailor, anC
he led him below. A stream of British
sailors were coming up the ladders with
out arms and the deserter was placing
them on the forward deck. Although
Burnett was recognized by many of the
sailors they remained silent, dOggedly
taking their positions.
Captain Alton was conducted to al
elegant cabin where the sailor told hin
he would find the young CONAN"
He opened the door and a pale bu
beautiful creature with a cry of Joy spranl
forward and was clasped in his arms.
aOlal"
Griffith" and a silence followed.
CHAPTER XVII.
CONCLUSION
! Mr.. Burnett. the deserter Of the Keno
phOn, was master of the situation. ii
had the deck cleared of the dead, scrub
bed, and cleaned before daylight.
The dead English were sewn up II
strong canvas bags, and with heavy sho
at their feet sunk into the water. Tn
few Americans who had fallen were to b.
taken to the village.
When Griffith, after assuring his be
, trOthed that she was free once more an
among friends, returned to his post o
! duty he was sent back.
Il Will take the ship into port, sal,
Mr.. Burnett. 81 know more about thi
than you do
Griffith thanked him. and returned t.
: his betrothed. She had much to AS
! about-her foster-father's condition an
2 her many friends at the village.
: MI - .-oe-lE L-.------