The morning call., 1891-06-19


Mats dog Doctor was partly Smithfeld
and partly a Newfoundland. He had been
trained by him to all kinds of tricks.
Among others he repeatedly took messages
to station when attached to his collar, ana
I presume this was the object Mat had IN
view when referring to him as capable OF re-
"Mister. dye think you kin rite a mes
sage in the dark, or by the moonlight, askin'
the hands at the Homestead 70 come this
wayP No time to lose: see the darkles
dodg ing round the hut Bill, knock away
the low part Of the rotten slab behind your
back Here, Doctor"
The message was scrawled and fastened
to Doctors collar in little less than min
ute, and the noble brute, who seemed TO
know the danger, stood anXiouSly trembling
till the preparations were complete.
AS before stated, the hut stood close to
the stream, and from the rear th0 bank
sloped abruptly toward the water. The
American fer the first time seemed affected.
When the men fell under his shots there
was not the slightest change perCepuble IN
his voice but the few words he spoke to
his dog were broken ana slngularly soft.
I'll be- sworn there were tears IN the
mans eyes. Everything being at last pre-
pared, lie spat upon the dogs muZZle, held
his head close to his cheek for a moment,
and then pressed him quickly out of the hole
and away down the shelving bank.
there arose a wild jabbering for minute;
the next instant We detected yelp OF pain.
MY GodW said l Involuntary, THE
Doctors speared."
''No, he amt, darn YEP snapped Mat.
He's just touched, an no more. He'll
do IT,"
''ne must be quick, then" said Mr.. s.;
''the black devils have struck light some
where and they're going 10 burn us out
Look"
Our eyes were now intently scanning the
movements of the sayageS through the little
luOphOleS, and we saw a flaming brand
whizZing through the air and scattering
sparks in all directions. 1t fell on the stringy
bark roof over our heads. Another and an
other came, but it did not appear 10 US that
any of them had taken effect.
By this time the black fellows had gath
cred courage. Believing our ammunition
was expended. many Of them left cover and
might DC seen fitting about like specters.
They kindled ire some distance Oft. and
across its glare shadows were constantly
falling.
The fre-brands were thrown no longer !;
some fresh mode of attack was preparing
Our suspense continued a long period
nearly half an hDuT-during when time not
a word WAS spoken by any of US; our sole
dependence was the Doctor, and II help did
not soon arrive II was Gel tain We could find
no escape from the demons who were trying
to compass our destruction,
Nov, look, sick, whispered Nat. Il
see their game; they're going to give US fits.
HOw's the moon well aback of the hut,
guess Bill. stick your caObage-tree on a
pillow, aud hold it at tic open window when
[ tell YOU. III just 20 cut and uii them
good-evening. Don't bar the door after me,
mister, but when l show them my heels,
open it. You see we can't spare ammuni-
ton"
While speaking Mat unbarred the door.
lie slipped out noiselessly as he concluded
the sentence.
Through the slabs he said to me-:
"D'ye see that diyl with the blazing log?
When he gets close 10 the waffle open the
window and prop uD the pillow. Take care
of their spears Yourself
As soon as the black fellow came to the
point indicated, | opened the long, little
shutter with some noise and held up the
dummy In a moment dozen spears
passed through the aperture. and | let the
window fall as though one of US was NOR
tally wounded.
There was a wild shout ithout. At this
time the black fellow who carried the log
was within a few yards of the hut, and
heard Nat preparing Tor his move outside.
Looking out as quickly as l could l had
| lust time to see his tall figure emerge be-
yund the shade AS The butt end of his gun
fell crashing on the bead of the tire-beaTar.
The door was opened as Mat turned; it re-
CURED but one o. two bounds 20 take him
to the door, but the savage5 were too quick
for him with their spears He staggered
through the entrance and fell just as he
cleared the threshold.
Caught in the thigh. | guess" he ex-
claimed as he slowly recovered himself
and painfully strueg ed TO the window.
Don't mind the spear" he remarked to me
as l approached him; ITS better as it is,
till help comes"
eff il ever does" thought /
The Americans sOTtie, l believe, had
rather disastrous effect for the black fel-
lows seemed to conclude at once that cur
ammunition was all expended and they
thronged around the hut without caring to
SueIJeT I1pmSoiYVo.
To a short time the cracking Of the flames
on the roof put an end to our trouble. The
hut was on fige, and there was nothing left
US but an attempt 10 dash out aud clear the
abOrigiues l proposed this, but Mr.. S.
would not try without MAJ, aud underneath
the blazing roof, with dubbed guns we
grimlY awaited the final attack The Amer
leans rife rested in the lOophole where he
had first taken up his position.
There's tho worst of them" Mat said.
looking alOng his weapon mes coming mn
with q lOg to Stave in the door. He'll never
DO it, aud our last bullet brought down the
Tingleader.
There was CONSERVATION and hurried
consultation. Alter a lapse of about FIVE
minutes. the whole force of the besiegers
rushed shTisking on our little garrison. 4
moments surge outside and the door fell
back as Mr. SIS gun swung down on the
| crowding sayageS with terrific force, telling
| two Of The foremost Ike oxen. | remember
| a wild struggle with our guns and fists.
| Mat and the squatter lowered above their
| opponents like giants, fighting with terrible
| energy. The black fellows had forced me
| to the ground; one was shortening the grasp
| Of the spear to drive II through my boiy,
| when felt guSh Of blood Sp0uting over
my face aud chest. just as the slave fell
| on me MORALLY wounded. Then l remen-
| Der a hurrah outside and the cracking of
| rifles.
That was a good back-handed blow,
! boss" said Mat, family; 81 guess the cook 5
| got another squeak. Dye hear that?
| HOOray! KnOwed the Decor would do it,"
| said he, with renewed energy; take that"
| And | heard the dull sound Of another blow.
| and low moan Of pain as the station hands
| rushed in. The Doctor soon recovered. So
! did Mat, who is now one of the richest men
in the colonies. well, l have large scar
acT0sS my breast