The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-22
PART III.

PART III.
The ladies, a little pale and tremu-
lous at the sight of bloodshed. had
been assisted from their saddles and
the horses led into the ruinous-look-
ing courtyard of the fort and yet we
had heard no more Of the enemy. 1t
is the pause after danger and eXer-
tion that is the trying time, especially
If the next act in the drama is doubt
ful, I think; or at any rate is seemed
so to me, as 1 stood a little apart, look
sng out through the gateway and
watching the strange effect of the
blaze of the western sun as II fell on
the two white heaps that lay still and
motionless among the ferns and flow
ers that encroached upon the road.
I'VE have all to thank you, Mr..
Hall, for most important service
very ably carried out" said the col
onel, coming up behind me.
Don't speak of it, colonel" ] said;
lit Is really my machine that deserves
the thanks. 1 guess you'll have to in
troduce the bicycle into India for mill
tary purposes.
For some purposes I can see it
would be invaluable" he answered,
gravely. AS he spoke 1 could see that
view before us.
What do you suppose these fellows
will do next, colonel?" 1 asked, after
moments pause. DO you suppose
they will attack us here?"
No; certainl not with any idea
of storming the place" he said. de-
cidedly Indeed, | am utterly at a
loss to understand the business. 1 can
only imagine they want plunder or
ransom, and yet nowadays that kind
of thing is almost unknown" AS he
spoke he turned away and crossed the
courtyard to where a little group of
officers were standing, discussing the
situation in low tones. My eyes
glanced absently along the edge of the
fringe of jungle which bounded the
view when suddenly they were arrest
ed by the glimmer of something white
among the green, and the next mo-
ment there was sharp ping" in the
air close to me and bullet struck the
stone arch just over my head.
All" exclaimed the colonel 81
thought so, gentlemen. In the mean
time, Mr.. Hall, pray come under shell
ter-there seems to be more fair shots
among them"
l adopted the suggestion and strolled
over towards the little party of perhaps
dozen men with whom the colonel
was talking. AS l came nearer them
the first words ] heard were from one
of the yonger officers. Excuse me,
Colonel Maitland but it would be quite
impossible; surely one of ourselves"
The colonel glanced aroung quickly as
If to impose silence on the group, and
then turning to me as / came up.
There was a look of annoyance and
anxiety on his frank, soldierly face, as
he said: Forgive me, Mr. Hall, for in
troducipg your name behind your back
in matter like this. 1t is more than
due you that l should take you into my
confidence at once. The fact is, am in
serious difficulty, as you can see. We
must communicate with the troops at
once, but the difficulty is how to do it.
These fellows won't attack us here-at
any rate not in daylight-and they
probably rely upon starving us into
some kind of terms. 1t is important
not only that we should be relieved,
but that this kind of thing should be
put an end to at once for all. A single
company or at the most, two, would
do i. in half an hour, if we could only
let them know"
II rue uONni COlOnel, SAID the
young man who had spoken before,
n eagerly; my horse is only too fresh,
land he'd do it in two hours at the out
side"
Your horse, Mr. Chambers, Is a gray,
~ l AM not mistaken-what chance do
WDu suppose either you or he would
kave of getting through? No! / have
.oAg|- bf all that, and am convinced
is hardly possible on horseback,
- " hope would be on foot, Or
and ere the colonel paused uneaslly
Il guess the bicycle would have a bet
ter chance, still, wouldn't it, colonel?"
l said.
That twas the very remark was
making Nhen you came up, Mr.. Hall
only som9 of us are inclined to think
II unfair That all honors of war should
falI to yo4"
oh, a{ to the honors, colonel I'm
not particular about them; but il
=