Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-05-24
FOR WOMAN'S SAKE.

RohSLdl say ing tuuJ tllS COulOunueu Ilu-
tiny has broken out in this province. Take
ten men, with four spare horses, and ride
down at once. Tell them they are to re-
turn with you as soon us the horses are
rested"
Eyes sir. May I pick my own men?"
Certainly" The colonel rose and walk
ed over to the sergeant. 81 don't mind
telling you, Bolitho, what 1 have not told
any one else-I feel very nervous. My
wife and her sisters would go to this place
last week, and my children are with
them"
"Trust me, sir. Twill bring them back
safely. Rest quite assured about that. 1
will start at once" Saluting gravely, he
left his chiefs room leaving him quite at
ease about his wife and children.
Ernest Bolitho was the sphinx Of the
gallant Seventh. No one knew why he
was in the ranks. Every one liked him,
no one could help, seeing that he was a
thorough gentleman. All they knew was
that his past had been an unhappy one,
and that he had been more sinned against
than SHINING.
He had steadily refused to take COM
mission, telling the colonel privately that
he could do more good by living with his
men. Foremost in sports and manly exer-
cises, he strove to wean his men from the
deadly canteen by interesting them in
shooting cricket and such like.
In an hour the party trotted out of the
station into the glazing heat of the sun.
By dint of very carefully riding and judi
cious short halts the bungalow was reach
ed in four hours.
4 E,I IL.
compound and unsaddled the horses The
natives struck him rs looking surly, and
full Of apprehension he entered the house
where the ladies were at tea. The butler
started when he saw Bolitho enter, and
after brief pause drew him into an adj
joining room.
"Quick, mani What do you want?'
"Sahib," said the butler, CHANGING nerv-
ously round, "yOu saved my poor boys
life when the tiger had got him down, and
if am killed for it l will repay you.
"The servants have heard that party
of native cavalry is coming up to loot the
house"
Rapidly entering tho tearoom he, in a
few terse sentences, informed the ladies
that the ''colonel was very i'll, " and they
were to lose no time, but to ride as they
were.
Mrs. Rose, with pale face, placed her
children in the troopers arms, and after
helping her sister to mount was placed in
the saddle by Bolitho.
Twelve miles were covered, and they
had arrived at tho foot of a steep hill,
crowned on the top with q small wood,
round which low, broad mud wall had
been built.
In pressing up this hill Mrs. Roses
horse fell, fortunately not injuring the rid
err. Instead of rising it remained on the
ground, and Bolitho found that it was dy-
ing.
Calling the men aside their sergeant or
dered them to place their carbinesA gainst
the wall, and to put Mrs. Roses saddle on
his horse at the same time informing
them in an authoritative tone that they
were to make the best of speed on to camp.
Madam, kindly send a horse for me
when you get back to camp, us it is too
hot to walk"
Mrs. Rose, grateful for his considera-
ton and quite unaware of the real facts
of the case, promised she would.
Away they went, the children laughing
and waving their hands to him, standing
alone in the road, and the ladies wonder
ing how they would find the colonel.
Bolitho had seen the dust coming in
cloud about three miles behind them-he
guessed their enemies were on their track
and saw certain death to the whole party
before him.
Clasping the carbines in his arms, he
got over the low wall and arranged them
in such way as to be readily able to fire
them rapidly. He opened his cartridge
case and laid that ready and then knelt
down with a gun in his hand behind the
wall
Suddenly over the brow of the nearest
hill poured n squadron of native cavalry,
coming at Il gallop down to the foot of the
hill upon the top of which Bolitho was
intrenched.
He judged then they were in range, and
taking quick shot he fired his carbine,
clutchcd another and another as that was
discharged. He poured five shots in quick
succession into the mass of troopers.
His aim was deadly, and deceived by the
rapidity of the shots the enemy was check
ed, and hating suddenly wheeled off
sharply and retired a hundred yards, leav-
ing three dead men and two horses behind
them.
On again getting to the foot of the hill
they unbuckled their carbines and began
a vigorous fusillado of the wood. In a mo-
ment BolithO was struck in three places.
Realizing all was over he crawled to a
free and got himself propped against it.
Still uncOnquercd, with revolver in his
right hand and blood oozing from his
wounds, he was at bay, and nobler quarry
no hunter ever saw.
The natives, hearing no further firing
began to take courage, and after final
volley again returned to the charge.
But harkl He hears his regimental call
prayed out; then the charge is sounded,
and with a hoarse cheer a squadron of his |
own regiment came galloping round the |
plantation and crashed into the rebels.
Short and sharp was the reckoning and |
within five minutes the whole body were
either dead or prisoners.
Their work done, the troopers swarmed |
into the wood, headed by the colonel him
self, in search of their comrade and found |
him dying against the tree Kneeling be- |
side him, the colonel placed his arm round |
the wounded man.
my poor fellowl Are you much hurtP"
Done for, SIR" gasped Bolitho. care
the ladies safeP'
"Yes; you saved them. A mile from
here we found them, horses quite done up
the quarter Of an hour you gave them
saved them all How can tboDLy 1,o,O1I