Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-11-17

Inc sOldlerS. whispered dozen
men.
"No-rain" replied the captain, as he
pointed to the sky.
All looked to see a black cloud loom
Ing up over the ridge u mile away, and
in a moment there was a flash of light
ming and a heavy peal Of thunder.
"Rain-rain-rain shouted the men
as they rushed here and there like so
many boys, but under the orders of the
cool headed captain the greater part of
them were soon at work to profit by the
heaven sent shower.
Everything which would catch or re-
tain water was spread out on the ground,
while the canvas covers of the wagons
were arranged in folds and pouches.
They were scarcely ready when the
storm broke. The rain poured down
copiously for half an hour, and by that
time all suffering had ended, and the
supply on hand was enough for three
days
LET us give three cheers" cried ono
of the more enthusiastic men as the
storm passed away and the sun showed
its face again.
gal is giving thanks 10 God. She is
right. We should pray instead of
cheer!"
The downpOur of rain had shattered
the plans Of the redskins. They could
no longer be held to the siege, knowing
that the climax was indefinitely post
poned, nor could the bombastic talk of
the chiefs bring them up to another as
sault They were ready to go, but be-
fore moving of they had one last card
to play. Better for the renegade he had
not meddled with it,
. Huntley, the man who had been taken
prisoner, was nov brought forward, the
white man holding one arm and Il stall
wart warrior the other. When within
speaking distance he said:
Captain, they have got me, and they
declare that If YOU don't surrender
they'll burn me alive
I'VE are sorry for you, jim replied
the captain, but You know what sur
render would mean. They would butch
er every man of us inside of ten min
Utcs."
"But think of me" walled the man in
sorrUwful tones Think OF the tortures
they Will intiict before they kill lne!'
Its bad, Jim-terrible bad! Id give
an arm to have YOU inside with us this
minute"
But / can't dle-oh, l can't der
ehrieked the man.
The captain seemed to be thinking,
and the prisoner knelt down, clasped his
hands and walled out:
'Cuptaln for the love of God, do some
thing for me. Come ont here and talk
it over ami make them an offer. They'll
let you come and so safely"
ut is onlya trap for YOU" shouted
half dozen voices at the captain.
Aye, lads, | know 1t, but I'd take
almost any risk for poor Jim. He's
nigh scarf to death. and seeing what
III store 4of hlul' we c''ii plalne NM
Then raising his voice he called to
iluntley:
keep up bravely, jim. We can't
help you just now, but the time may
come whitman hour. Don t give up yet.
Few white mon have been known 10
ire on nag OF truce. no matter how
treacherous the enemy who bore 1t.
49,
Ger one. and 1t was respected. Had one
OF the tralnmen gone ont with flag he
would have been shot down or made
prisoner, and the Others rldlculed for
their confidence.
When the three had returned to the
lines the captain asked for Peter heavy
rifle | had been carefully loaded for
the OCCASION ana the captain rested 1t
across the rocks and waited minute
until the renegade came into view.
Every man in the Enclosure held his
breath and watched for the result OF the
Shot. 1t was minute before the sights
covered the renegade, but when the
rillo cracked he was seen to throw W
his arms and fall heavily to the earth.
There was Il howl from the Indians
and cheer from the fort, but both were
drowned in volley of musketry, a
chorus OF yells and the thunder Of horses
feet. The relief party had arrived.