The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1890-06-28

& ana 5Wnent 5l9 CANNON gss announced. El0
dawn Of day with their iron lips, only q
dull reverbe GRAFTON reached the ears Of
the steersman, who alone watched the
. fading stars. 81
IA AS the first sound struck his ears, q
tinge of color came into his pale face,
and something like a groan burst from
his lips. 81 feel like a deserter," he
muttered, and if it wasn't for the sake
of the women and children, I wouldn't be
here in safety while the Frenohmen are
pounding the fort to pieces. !"
AS the sun came up the wind IN
creased, and the vessel dashed on, pro-
PEELED by her foresail and jib. She was
running along the southern shore in an
eastern direction, while Jabe, who had
relieved the New England man at the
helm, was keeping watchful eye on
the wide expanse of water for an en-
envy.
The weather was very warm, and
7 his male companions were asleep on
deck with their blankets around them,
to protect them from the heavy dew.
s'Let them sleep,' muttered Jabe;
ssit's good for them, and a sign that
they've got no fever. But where to
steer for, can't decide for myself, and
there's no hurry about it as long as the
enemy is engaged somewhere else. Yes,
Nellie, all safe SO far"
This remark was addressed to his
wife, whose head appeared above the
hatchway. ssWhat sound is that,
Jabe?n she asked, as the dull boom of
the distant cannonade reached her ear.
':It's the French pounding the old
fort" he growled between his teeth.
''And what's that moving by the
shore yondep?' she cried, in sudden
alarm.
Jabe, following her glance, saw sew
eral objects on the shore and in the
water ahead of them, which he soon
made out to be human figures. "Red-
skins, he muttered, land they're get
ting into their canoes They want to
know who we are, and they'll soon find
out, if they come within range. But
don't be afraid, Nellie; we can outsail
them"
s'What's the matter, Jabe?" asked the
New Highlander, coolly shaking himself
out Of his blanket.
Jabe pointed to the shore. "What do
you make of them, Eph?' he asked.
s'Keep Der away point Or two re-
sponded the fisherman; "they can't
overhaul us with this breeze
The other two men were awake now,
and the women crowded into the hatch
way with pale faces fixed their eyes on
the point of interest. 1t was evident
that the savages were resolved to make
their acquaintance, probably taking
them for Frenchmen, and Jabe, believ-
ing that to change the course of the
vessel would excite their suspicion, kept
on, trusting to superior speed to prevent
their too near approach.
'sSee to the rifles, Eph,' he said, ''and
you women go below" The latter
obeyed reluctantly, and the men pre-
pared to fight their way if necessary.
''See if you can find a French flag down
there Eph called down the hatch
way. 'sMay be the red devils will know
what it means and think we're French
men,
A French pennon was found and
hoisted to the topmast, where it 1ut-
tered in the breeze.
''Blast their red hides!'' muttered
Jabe. ''They're not satisfied"
''No, nor they won't be till they get a
dose of lead," said Eph. "See, they're
hosting their blankets for sails!'
1t seemed as if the frail barks would
capsize under the pressure of the broad
sails; but they carried for ballast five
or six men each, and danced over the
short curling waves like a flock of water
fowl. They were making for pointer
actly in the course of the fugitives.
eve must take the risk, boys, and
run right through them," said Jabe, res
olutely, s'and if the breeze holds an
hour longer we'll outsail them"
ssGive me the helm" said the fisher
GAIL right, you know more about
steering than I do" responded Jabe;
land now lads, lay low and don't waste
shot,"
The Indians, having gained their posi-
ton, lowered their sails and awaited
the approach of the gun boat, unwilling
to fire while. they had doubt of its
nationality. Eph surmised the cause
of their quietude, and gesticulated
wildly with his disengaged HAND after
the supposed manner of Frenchmen,
and shouted out his small vocabulary OF
French and Indian words without re-
gard to their fitness, until within few
yards distance of the nearest canoe, he
suddenly put down the helm and dropped
hatsupon the deck. The obedient craft
swerved instantly from her course and
struck the canoe obliquely, turning it
completely over. A yell from the as
tonished redskins and random volley
of bullets, which, by reason of the efe-
walton of the deck of the gunboat,
passed harmlessly over its PROSTATE &C.
cupants. The bark resumed it's course,
leaving the redskins to pick up their
half-drowned brothers, and was soon be-
You'd the range OF their guns. Don't
fire at them,'' commanded Jabe. eve
haven't got ammunition to spare"
They're getting ready to follow US, .
said Eph. They've righted the canoe
and are hosting the blankets again.
eff the wind holds till SHUTDOWN,
we'll reach the st, Lawrence river, and
find a hiding place among the islands.