The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-21

crieQ S1mOu. FL tuey oAoo 6e., -,
enough to feel the weight o my fist they'll
find me eout.
The long gun was loaded, amid the con-
fusion and excitement OF two or three
shells exploding above the fort, and sew
eral solid shot striking the embankment.
One buried itself in the earthworks near
the feet of Captain Alton and almost COW
cred him with sand
~Oh, Griff, come down" cried JACK
Hatchet. What n the name O common
sense is the use o standin' up thar an
eit,in' killed."
Captain, It seems to me that you have
no right to needlessly expose yourself to
certain death in that way; come down,
said the deserter.
Il want to watch the effect OF the nea
shot"
Will YOU come down after that?" asked
the mysterious gunner.
Yes, I promise you I will"
The heavy gun was sighted and the
match applied. The young commander
thought be could almost hear the ball
strike the side Of the ship. 1t went
through the hull not more. than foot
above the water mark.
Good, good, Mr.. Burnett; two or three
more such shots will send her below"
Now, stand by your agreement-come
down." said the gunner.
Inc young omcer, rememr rer1ng his
promise, climbed down from the earth.
works. For more than hour he had stood
there amid the storm of iron hail, but
had not received single scratch. BE
gazed about on the pale faces and ghastly
forms stretched upon the ground, and
with sigh said:
1T cannot be avoided. Drive the man.
of.war away, and We will have nothing to
fear from their land forces"
Two or three of the smaller cannon OF
the Americans had been playing on the
ship, but with vely little result. 1t was
the large gun alone that could save them.
A second shot OF the hull struck the
water apparently about foot from the
vessel, but evidently did the ship some
harm, for she was seen to careen slightly
from the shock. Another shot struck the
hull 40 near the spot as the last two fred
that Captain Monteith was not little
alarmed especially when he was informed
that the ship was leaking.
w hnS 40 oAO bOfh ooo"t N'AAoA eonSNt
as he Observed some commolion on the
deck of the Xenophon.
The mysterious gunner sprang upon
the parapet, glass in hand. He had
scarcely leveled the glass on the vessel
when he cried:
Ohio! they have manned the capstan,
an are goin' TO weigh anchor"
'Tha-at's so," shouted Simon, waving
his hat in the air. Then the loud huz-
zahs which followed even reached the
ears of those pala-faced men lying on the
earth, dEod With their own blood. They
raised their eyes, growing CLASSY in
death, and in feeble, gurgling cries
Joined in the shouts of victory.
sShe may not intend to retire." said
the gunner. They are too close and will
drop down the bay fourth OF a mile OF
so. and renew the SIEGE"
Simon. Well warm 'em up eff they con.
tinue this.
Lets warm 'em up now before they
get out O. port" suggested the gunner.
With q shout Ratchet, Simon, 81 Cole,
Sam Perry, al Jones, and Tommy Ruff1es.
the little tailor, sprang to the gun and
began loading it.
Bring on the ball, Tommy" COM
manded Simon.
Tommy was bringing it when, as th.
man. .of-War slowly yeered about, solid
snot sent 1fom one or ner ports Struck The
top of the earthwoIks, and ploughed q
furrow along beneath Tommy's feet. The
little tailor, believing his legs were cut of,
sank down bowling for mercy.
Don't touch me! don't touch mel he
screamed; I'll bleed to death fye touch
me; let me alone.
why, We ain't hurt" cried Jack.
Yes, am; my legs are cut off.
Simon picked up the bail he bad drop
ped and threw it into the gun.
"Naow, git up thar, ycungster, md
never mind any O. yer foolishness. The
ball didn't tech hide or hair o. ye. Gil
up, won't ye?"
He stopped, 80 lied Tommy by the napt
cf the neck, and lifted him to his feet
When the tailor disco 0ared that he wal
badly scared. but not hurt, he went dowL
from the parapet feeling little sheepish.
The mnn-o war was rounding about
heading for the ocean. A slight breeze
came from the land. and her sails began
to fill.
Now, Mr.. Burnett, give her a parting
tribute, said the young commander.
Sine was almost stern to the fort, whs1
the mysterious gunner again brought tei
long tom to bear upon her Simon again
applied the match, and a sheet of fame
with volume of smoke burst from the
cannon. The effect of that shot was
worse than any which had yet been fred.
1t struck the taffrail, bursting in that
part of the bulwark, passed through ths
wheel ouse, killing one man q, the
wheel, tore off splinter from the stern
mast, then from aft to fore raked the
deck, killing FIVE more sailors and badly
injur;ng the bowsprit.
Captain Monteith could he seen through
the glass hurriedly issuing his orders.
The ship had, of course, broke ground
before the shot struck her. Sails were
unfur,ed and she stood out of the harbor.
That's the eend O. her." said Jack
Hatchet.
Il fear YOU are mistaken" said the
strange gunner. "She will not give US up
30 easy"
What dye think she'll do?"
'She will only drop down the bay a
quarter of a mile further and begin
pounding US aeain, said the sailor.
Our hero had not heard from Captain
Gatrell for some time, and there being
lull in the attack, he decided to 60 to the
bomb-proof lodges prepared for the
women. children and wounded, and See
him.
The little village bore every evidence Of
siege. The nice little cottage residences
we're torn with shells and pierced with
balls. There was scarcely one thnt had
not been hit either from the guns, from
the ship, or the for es from the shore.
The upper stories o. some of the houses
we're thickly peppered with musket balls.
AS the Captain approached the hut
near which the wounded lay, Ola came