The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-03-17

Inc three hours elapsed, the demands
were not granted, and with absolute
punctuality the Chrysolite began to shell
the fort from her 6 inch B. l.. guns.
The Cinnamon laid low and did not re-
ply with SO much as a single shot. Mis-
led by their silence, Captain Bellamy
after dusk had fallen led ashore much
weaker landing party than he would
have employed had he anticipated re-
sistance. Not until the men had tum-
bled out of the boats did the enemy open
fire, and then the captain knew he had
made II mistake. He still hoped that he
might avert disaster by rushing the fort,
and he made the attempt; but, as has
been already shown, he failed and fell.
His men surged past him for few
yards, but were then repulsed and driy-
en- back pellmell. In the confusion and
darkness they missed him, and he was
left lying, with his loft knee mangled,
to bleed to death or to get speedier
quietus from one of the many bullets
that were whstling after the retreating
bluejackets.
1t Is astonishing that he escaped being
hit Il second time, for not only were the
Cinnamon firing with rifles from the fort,
but the men in the boats were using their
machine guns. In five minutes, though,
the worst of the storm had passed away,
and with the lull Captain Bellamy saw
dark figure slowly drawing near him
from the right. He fully expected to
find that his visitor was one of the enc
my armed with a mission to put an end
to him, or perhaps drag him into the
fort, where death might be administered
little at time, and though brave
man he was much relieved when he was
able to distinguish that the newcomer
was one of his own people.
beg pardon, sir, hoped it was YOU"
whispered voice, which the captain at
once recognized ut that of his coxswain.
''Hoped!" growled the captain ''What
do you mean by hoping, you scoundrel?
Here am with my knee smashed, bleed
ing to DEATH"
Sad news for Miss Violet" muttered
Larch.
"Confound Miss Violet and you too!
Bear hand here and pull me out of this
if you can. The beggars will be blazing
away again in minute"
Mustn't move you, sir, till I've tied up
your leg" said Larch, who had already
taken off his handkerchief and was sat
lsfying himself as to the position of the
wound and the quantity of blood that
was being lost. Its that big artery on
the inside of your leg, sir, that's got to
be attended to. If you won't mind my
using my 'baccy box and my handker-
chief-so-now, I'll twist it close"
Hang it. You're twisting my leg off Z"
cried the captain.
"Nevcr mind, sir" said Larch. Eve
stopped the
at that moment the Chinese i'll the fort
opened fire again.
"What the dickens is the matter with
you, Larch:" demanded the captain
For an instant the coxswain, who had
drawn back with n shudder, was silent.
When he spoke, it was with an altered
voice. They've hit me, sir, think" he
said.
''Then run. man, and take shelter"
urged the captain. I'm all safe now for
an hour or two, if they don't come out to
look for me-"
''There's wall little to the right,
Sir" said tho coxswain. who paid no at
tentiOn to his chiefs orders, land think
can get you behind it if you can drag
yourself on to my back as ] crawl. Only
don't disturb the bandagc, sir"
Captain Bcllamy, with IL great effort,
managed by degrees to work himself on
to the mans back and to clasp Larch
round tho neck. Il hope, Larch, that
you're not risbing too much, but if we
get through this thcrell be q Victoria
cross for yon as certainly as there'll be Il
wooden leg for me-
Beg pardon, sir" muttered Larch.
who was now crawling slowly with his
burden toward the wall, but don't
want any Victoria cross. Would they
promote me, do you think, sir?''
81 don't doubt it, Larch. You'll get
your warrant"
The coxswain stopped suddenly.
WHAT'S the natter cried the captain
Larch resumed his laborious crawl.
81 was only thinking" he explained.
won't you be wiser to defer your
thinking until we are under the leo of
that wall!' growlcd the captain. eff
those fellows fire any more, we're done
for"
The coxswain made no reply, but
dragged himself on, yard by yard, until
at length he gently deposited his load be-
hind the thick stone shelter. AS he made
motion as if to return whence lie had
come the captain cried: Stay in here,
you idiot. Where the dickens are You
going!"
Larch sank down by the captains side
"BeS pardon, sir" he said after pause.
"but may | speak my mind ont to You
lust for this once rs betlyopn man opI
MANI"