The free press., 1892-10-27

nad turned his big hour-glasS twice, and
how the sands of the third hour were
almost spent. Before him rows of serious
men, women and children in reyerent
! attention, not once removing their earn
est eyes from the minister.
! The heavy door was flung open and
shut again with loud bang that startled
every member of the congregation. A
boy, staggering and streaming with per
spiration, ran up the broad aisle and
fell exhausted at the foot of the pulpit.
Every man stretched out his hand to
the musket that stood beside him; but
no one rose, no one said word or ut
! tered an exclamation.
| Whatever the danger was--and they
knew well what it might be-this was
| Gods house, and in it none but God S
1 servant should raise voice or venture
\ upon any action unless he permitted.
The minister descended from his
1 place, leaned over the painting Abner
and caught the few words the boy had
Istrength to whisper: "Savages-full five
score-stealing up-to take us unaware p
The minister returned to the pulpit.
"Kindle your matches, brethren, :"
said ne, in voice of perfect tranquility.
| The ring of flint and steel sounded all
over the house.
snake ready your guns" continued
| the minister, taking up heavy musket,
and blowing the match, or fuse, by
which it was discharged. "Musketeers,
to your stations. Yethat have but swords
or pixies, sit fast
The congregation obeyed these orders
as calmly as they had been given.
Twenty five men, headed by Deacon
True, silently ranged themselves the
loopholes which were pierced in the
door and along the walls. Each knew
his position, and took 1t without delay
or hesitation; while the fifteen men who
had no firearms sat stiffly on the benches
with the women and children, most of
whom had not looked behind them since
Abner rushed In.
Parson Pladley looked at the hour
glass, which still continued to run, and
quietly resumed his sermon. Around
the sides of the room the musketeers
stopped at the loopholes amid the light
vapor from their smouldering matches.
On the benches the body of listeners
kept their composed couutenances turned
upon the preacher. Save his voice,
there was no sound but an infrequent
metallic rattle, as some musketeer ex-
amined his gun or loosen his iron-hilted
broadsword in the scabbard. The
words of the preacher sang throughout
the house:
"And even as aforetime the heathen
did furiously rage, and did compass the
children of the covenant with spear and
javein round about"
A high, pitched, thrilling screech filled
the air without, and now rose above the
minister's voice. 1t was sustained and
prolonged in many savage throats.
There came quick, sharp patterlngs on
the roof and walls, like hailstones.
Enoch Brett fell backward from his
loophole with an arrow through the
brain. Another man rose from his seat,
picked up the gun which Brett had
dropped, and took the vacant station.
A dozen muskets answered the storm
of missels. Their fire seemed to check
the advance of the Indians, inasmuch as
the war cry grew fainter, aud the pat
tering of the arrows diminished.
Parson Pladley had not interrupted his
sermon, although his voice had been
temporarily drowned by the noise of the
assault and defence, except for the ln-
slant that he cast one glance at the mus
ket beside him, and another at the hour
glass.
All the men who could act were at
their posts; why should he not continue
to the end, while waiting for the des-
perate struggle which must conner HIS
sense of duty told HIM that he ought not
to cease his holy office before the ap-
pointed time, except under compulsion
in which he must recognize the hand OF
God.
His hearers understood this as well as
if he had declared his determination IN
so many words. They did their part by
listening with steady attention. ,
Again the cries grew louder ana
arrow flights thicker. The guns re-
Piled, but this time the attack was not
repalsed. A ponderous humping on the
door, which shook the whole buildlng'
told that some kind Of battering-ram was
being employed to break it down. A
few more such shocks and the door must
fall.
Only pinch or two more OF sano re,
NAMED in the hour glass Still IL was
not quite empty and Parson Piadiey
preached on. , CT =.
Crash! The door was hall OIL us
hinges. The tirearm men crowueo DE-
hind it and deliverd a volley thae ap'
peared for minute to clear the passage
There was yet some sand in the hour
glass. The parsons lips cou'o DC Seoa at
to move, though his voice was no'
heard. H.,
A renewed yell and the crashing olows
once more beat upon the door, NO snoIs nous
an. .wered this time, for the musNetS "e'0
empty. 49, ,o,,
An arrow whistled across the cnutcn
and stuck auiveriug in the front oil 'no