San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-03-28


would cover Savannah to the eastward
and southwark. He ran his little fleet,
consisting of four brigs and ships, up the
river so as to have them assist him in
defending the town, sent dispatches to
Port Royal island, ordering his forces
there to march forthwith to Join him,
and drawing in all his outpost detach-
ments concentrated every available man
within the lines of defense. While this
was going on the American general, Lin
coin, was massing his little army with a
view to cooperating with d'Estaing in
the attack.
1t was exhilarating news to Rose when
she heard of the approaching struggle.
She felt sure that Prescott would be
with Lincoln's army, and somehow the
thought was full of cheer. 1t was her
turn now to hear, as if in her heart, the
parting words, 'Good-by, dear, dear
Rose" She was impatient for the battle
to begin.
Maynard came to tell them that the
city was practically invested and that
the siege might be long one. He did
not think, however, that they would be
in any danger so long as they remained
at the mansion. The e1emy's shells
could scarcely reach there, he hoped. He
was ready and would be, lie said, at all
times to do for them anything within
his power.
The guns began to below soon enough,
and the dreadful sounds brought with
them conclusions that shook the town.
The air grew murky so that the light of
day had a jaundiced cast, and by night
the fash of the mortars and the long
blaze of rockets made strange glare
peculiarly horrible.
The fascination of the sight grew upon
Rose as she watched the high curving
fight of the mortar bombs and listened
to the loud Earring swish of the missiles,
followed by the heavy pounding of their
fall or by the explosion of the shells. 1t
pleased her excited fancy to regard each
shot as token of her lovers efforts to
reach her. Nearer, nearer, as they fell,
and more and more startling as their
conclusions became, the heart of the girl
throbbed with increasing pleasure scarce
ly mixed with the terror Of the occasion.
"They never can take the town; we
are far too well prepared for them," said
Maynard one day when truce had been
agreed upon TO bury the dead. 1--WE
shall drive them back badly beaten"
His words, uttered so confidently and
gently, We're as blows dealt with brutal
violence upon Roses heart. He had been
in the thickest of the fight and showed
the tremendous draught it had made on
even his powerful frame, but he bore
himself with just that air of imperturb-
able, almost pathetic, patient reserve
and refinement which he had assumed
after Roses decisive refusal of his pas
sionate love proposal.
"God forbid that you succeed she ex-
claimed so vehemently that it lent dra-
matte charm to her beauty. "May heaven
strike with every American and every
French arml'
"God strike for merry England" he
responded with grave smile, to which
the scar of Prescott's sword cut added a
touch of evil They never can cross
our works.
Rose stood up before him, tall, stately,
inspired with the spirit Of patriotism, her
face burning and her lips compressed.
Somehow his words were as prophecy in
her ears, and she felt strange sinking
of her hope; but she resOlutely sustained
herself Then into her inner conscious
ness once more rang Prescott's parting
words, "Good-by, dear, dear Rose"
II wish ] could say something more
cheering to YOU" Maynard said, prepar-
ing to go, "but cannot. We are going
to hold the town"
He now wore the uniform of captain
in the English army. 1t made his COM
manding figure still more notable as he
slowly walked away.
Before be had gone far he turned
about and came back.
miss Fenwicke," he said, and now
there was q decided huskiness in his
otherwise rich and well controlled voice;
"Miss Fenwicke, nothing that you may
ask of me shall be refused - nothing,
nothing"
When he was gone Rose stood as one
in dream. Slowly she was realizing
what to her was most agonizing This
man whom she hated had heart and
was suffering. The thought thrilled
through her with unspeakable effect,
like some vague but pervading sense of
sorrow, pity and regret.
Again the battle was resumed, the
cannonading increasing to great
throbbing roar, as all the ships in the
river and all the batteries on land opened
in chorus and were answered by svery
gun ON the works around the town. The