Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-09-06
A RESCUE.

"Maffcrty," said Captain CORVALLIS,
"come here! I've something moro excit-
ing for you to do than picking off sepoys
from that loopholc"
Private Mafrcrty, who had been engaged
for several hours OF the afternoon in firing
at the sopoys who were trying to get
within the stOckaGo of the outpost, went
to whore the captain sat at a rough table
twisting up note which he had hastily
written.
"Take this" continued CORVALLIS,
land if you have the luck to get to my
house alive give it to my daughter. L
don't think we can hold out against the
Pandics for more than few hours at
most, and she may as well be here tO,put
pistol to her own head when these mu-
tinous rascals take Lucknow as to be
where she is, unconscious of the turn af-
fairs have takcn."
"I'll bring her here captain" answered
Matferty, as he took the note and saluted,
Gas shure as I'll give taste av me baynit
to the first snaky sapOy as thries to get the
better NV me mother.s SON."
Matferty put the note into his pocket and
then made his way down the staircase and
into the street.
The little garrison which Captain Corn
wallis commanded consisted of a mere
handful of British troops, together with
few volunteers, the entire number, inclu-
sive of Mafrerty being only 20 men. The
outpost itself was the most advanced of the
five which guarded the rcsidCncy position,
and was merely house, situated on the
Cawnpur road, defended by couple of
bitches, a mound and stOckade. All that
day, and for many days before, the outpost
had resisted every effort of the rebellious
Pandies to capture it, and that in spite
of the fact that two walls of the house
were almost riddled by shells from an
eight inch howitzer.
Captain CORVALLIS, having dispatched
Mafferty on his pcrilous message, took up
the private's position, and, with words
and example, cheerod on the hard beset
garrison.
Private Maffer5y reached the house to
which he was bound and which was only
some 300 yards distant from the outpost
without mishap. When the door at which
he knocked was opened, he encountered
there one M. Giraud, who did not appear
to be best pleased at sight of Mafferty
is the outpost so well guarded that it
can do without your help. MatTcrty?" Gil
raud asked
at isn't that, sor," replied Maffcrty,
who knew Giraud had undertaken to keep
guard over Corvallis residence, having
been posted there by the captain to an Of
flee very much to his liking. cts not
that, sor, at ALL but the captain thinks it's
our last day Of moulding out, and it's rca-
lpt /, +S,
be near, so as he can see the last av her
onst the last rush is made I've a note for
her.
Giraud's face visibly frightened.
"Give it to me, then" said he, "while
you keep guard here. III carry it up to
her and then we can both return with her
to the help of our comrades"
Mafferty, who was no ladies' man and
who was glad to hand the paper over,
passed it to Giraud, who took it and dis.p-
peared within the house.
Private Mafrerty stood before the closed
door for some time; then as no one cnma
he ventured to rap with the butt of his
musket. No answer was returned NIaf-
ferty knocked harder. Still no notice was
taken Alarmed at this and conscious
that his long absence from the OUTPOST
would cause Captain CORVALLIS uncasi-
ness, the private thrust the butt of his
musket with all his strength against the
door. Tho lock gave way, and bounding
up the stairs, Maiferty called out, but no
reply, came to him. He went from one
room TO another in CONSERVATION to find
on the second floor that great gap had
been made in the wall between the house
and the next. Wandering all through this
second house, Mafferty found that it was
also deserted and at last reluctantly made
his way down stairs and out Of the house.
Where was Giraud, he wondered, and,
above all, what explanation was he to
offer CORVALLIS for the disappearance Of
the captains daughter?
As he went along the narrow street Maj