The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21
.,cH.PsHER VII.
TIE xHNoPHoN RET1REs.
Simon applied the match.

were SlTelCueu upOu tA0 uOSn'
Wild yells of qualification rose from
he fort, and the Americans gathered
about Burnett, waving their hats and
cheering. :.
There is no time for rejoicing, ship
mates" he cried: load the gun. again.
and, il we can hold out till night, 1 Will
sither drive her out O port or sink her:
While the gun was being reloaded,
Griffith took the sailors hand IN his. ::
owe you an apology"
Mono. Your responsib 'lity demand
ID caution, returned Burnett.
But ! have done you great lnJus-
.ice."
Say no more about it."
The gun was loaded, and again sighted
by the deserter.
This shot struck the foremost about the
height of mans head above the deck,
and cut it in twain, SO that it fell over on
he larboard deck, bringing down wreck
If ropes and rigging.
Again the Americans made the welkin
ling with their shouts, but a shell ex-
,loded in their midst. killing SIX and
kounding three, and suddenly putting an
md to their ardor.
The officers aboard the man-of-war
learned that q new hand was at the gun.
The third shot raked the bow-deck,
sweeping down several, AID knocking
gun from its carriage. ,u
We'll lick 'em vet; see if we dont!"
shouted the Yankee, who with infinite
delight had watched the effect OF the
shot
Look out! there it comes!" cried the
deseIter of the Xenophon. springing
from the parapet where he stood during
The loading of the gun.
Every one knew to what ne referTed
when he cried, There it comes" The
thing represented in the neuter gender
was no more nor less than ponderous
shell hurled from the largest gun on the
ship. Burnett sprang close under the
parapet the instant he had given the
warning cry. Simon, who was swabblng
the great gun, had only time to throw
himself beneath it, and others dropped
shook the works and fragments Cd the
exploded shell scattered for and wide.
One poor fellow, who was standing
several rods away, was struck IN the head
by piece and sank to rise no more.
Never mind" cried the excited Yankee,
springing to his feet and swabbing the
cannon with all his might; well pay 'er
back fur that, naow, see eff we doant."
-Lny low, Mr.. Burnett, said the young
commander of the fort; don't expose
Yourself until you come to sight the gun"
Captain Alton had all the time heen
standing on the top Of the parapet,
utterly regardless of danger to himself.
Have care for yourself, Captain.
said the sailor rising from his place Of
refuge. rs it consistent to advise others
to be cautious and at the same time 80
recklessly expose yourself?"
There is a great difference, MIR. Bur.
nett" replied the young commander.
"Your life is much more precious than
mine. If you should be sEatched away
there would be no one left TO aim the
long gun. No one save yourself will be
able to hit the vessel"
@Naow she's ready!" cried Simon, with
his peculiar Yankee whine. Stand clar,
oil on yc."
The deserter of the Xenophon again
sighted the gun and the match was up.
piled. The report, like burst of thun-
der, shook the little fort, and tremen-
dous volume of smoke was wefted away by
the breeze. TIE young commander, who
was watching the ship with his glass,
saw o shower of splinters fly from the
deck of the Xenophon, near the lal aboard
port, and a gun was thrown from its car
riage.
How was it, Griff2" cried Hatchet,
the blacksmith. Jack could not, it
seemed, bring himself to address Captain
Alton by his title. But Griffith was not
such strict disciplinarian az some Of
fcers on such matters.
1T was q good shot," he cried. 1t
bored her side. I see her deck is alre ady
covered with dead and wounded. Tney
are in trouble, boys; give it to them
again"
not agoin' to let up on 'em very soon"
said Simon, who was again swabbing the
touch hole, 81 Cole, or the plaguey thing
may 60 off afore We ar ready fur it.
Don't yer be skeered O. me, Yank, the
shoemaker returned, holding his thumb,
over which leather flap was fixed, on the
touch-hole. I'm not a-goin to sqairm,
though the drafted things eittin' hot.
Shell git hotter afore this days over.
Here, boy-you with the powder, cried
Simon. Bring 'er here, and let's slap
'er in"
The powder-monkey approached rathr
cautiously, for the screechipg shells and
whistling shots, with the scenes of death
about him, had somewhat intimidated the
little fellow.
Hurry up thar, youngster, or the
ship'll pat abeout, and be gone afore we
git chance to blow her eout of the
water" cried Simon.
The pcwdcr-nonkey handed him the
cartridge, and he rammed it home. Next
came man with wadding, then the ball,
which was rammrd home. In the mean-
while, two more shots from the vessel d
whistled about the fort, while On the west
side artillery and muskety were constantly
playing. Sh@pskooters were at work on
was knocking the sand and gravel in
showers from the breastwork
The British artillery wcs superior to
the American guns, but the Americans
had on advantage in sharpshooters.
Those old sGu:rrel-hunters, who had been
marksmen from boyhood, were just in
place, as, screened behind trees, they
picked off the British gunners. Again
and at the point Of the bayonet drive
them into their works, but they invaria-
bly, returned 10 their old places, and, ly.
ing fiat on the ground, concealed behind
trees and stones, continued to blaze
away.
Taken altogether, the Americans on
the west side of the works were about
holding their own with the British. Not
being able to use thei- ~rtillery to any
advantage, Major Bridges soon dis
covered that unless the Xenophon could
succeed in bombarding the village into
surrender, or starve Manos out, their plans
xropll Coil ha 1vbo1a ooro{r1r voc