The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-09-30

ferrous humping on the door, which shook
she whole building. told that some kind Of
6attering ram was being employed to
freak IL down. A few more such shocks
ind the door must fall.
Only pinch or two OF sand remained In
the hourglass. SELL 1t was not quite
empty, and Parson Pladley preached on.
Crashl The door was half of its hinges,
The firearm men crowded behind it and
delivered a volley that appeared for a
minute to clear the passage. There was
yet some sand in the hourglass. The par
sons lips could be seen to move, though
his voice was not heard.
A renewed yell, and the crashing blows
once more beat upon the door. No shots
answered this time, for the muskets were
empty.
An arrow whistled across the church
and stuck quiyering in the front of the
pulpit. Around the edges of the shattered
door matches and clubs were brandished in
the faces OF the defenders, who dashed
them aside with the butts of their guns
The women began TO scream.
The last sand ran out of the hourglass
Parson pladley bowed his head and said
"Amenl" And all the congregation an
swered together, "Amenr'
Up sprang the hitherto motionless
listeners-women to the rear, men to the
the front-and from the pulpit the old
minister with sword and gun led the way
to the aid Of the others, who were begin
ming to give ground before the mass of
hideously painted figures who were
forcing their way through the entrance.
Then came out another side of the Puri-
70, has 30 No
joy-with which the colonfsts fought was
as surprising rs the stony self control they
had shown but moment before. Ahead
Of them all, Parson Pladley swung his
mighty sword with cries which betrayed
the old horse soldier of Cromwell and Har-
rison, for such he had been, and of those
who followed him more than one had stood
in the ranks of the pikemen who met the
charges of Prince Rupert's cavaliers, and
repealed them too
AS II he remembered this, the minister
lifted up his strong voice in stern ps,llir
which had Numbered over the bnttlefields
of Naseby and Marston Moor-the war SOM
of David, the king, rejoicing over his vic
tory;
81 have pursued mine enemies and over.
taken them; neither did | turn again till
! they were consumed.
81 have wounded them that they were
not able to rise; they are fallen under my
| feet.
For thou hast eirded me with strength
unto the battle; thou hast subdued under
me those that rose up against me. y
! The Indians were like wolves combating
/ lions. They shrank, wavered and were
pressed back to the door, through 1t ant
outside of it. Then by one last rush they
were broken, scattered and dispersed
( They ran in every direction for the shelte,
of the woods; many of them fell by the way
under the pixies and swords Of their pur
suers. Hudderstield was saved
Within the meeting house, now hal
ruined, dim with powder smoke and hcapet
with broken benches, arrows and dea,
bodies, the congregation gathered aroun,
its minister, who, blackened and blood
with gown torn to shreds and IA great hlnsl
across his forehead. once more faised ~
his yoice-this time in tie giorioIh, strain
Of one Of their triumphant hymns.
All joined in it-eyen the wounded, VIII
could scarcely lift their heads from tn
ground, and the dying, who sang their las
hreaths away in the grateful chorus.
When the injured had been cared 70
and there WIS once more time for ordinar
matters Parson pladley called Abner Tru
TO him.
''Son Abner, thou didst we'll so cunning
~ to avoid those ruthless sayages an
privily warn us betimes. For this tho
meritest reward" .#-.....
Abuer looked up astonished.
'And this shall he thy rewartl-that TO
thy willful tarrying away from the sane
tuary thou shalt receive no discipline
from the church"
but my father will'- stammered til
boy. -...
"of surety lie will" placidly reptile
the minister, land | trust it may do the
good" w.-.
: Come with me, Abner," said Deaco
Amos. Manley II. Pike in Youths Con
Danon,