Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-07-03

later came the roar of the cannon from the hill, 5olting the ear and rattling all | the window panes with it's harsh con- cussion.
 Meanwhile the fair artillery corps were standing in terrified triumph by their fnming gun.
 T thought I was just blown 10 atoms" screamed Mamie, still dancing about.
 Lucky you didn't stay behind it, Clumby. That was real cute idea of yours to set it eff with frecraeker. See, it's kicked a hole right through the back of the shed!"
 "And isn't the smell perfectly awful?'' cried Hilda, sneezing.
 T rather like the smell of gunpowder myself answered Columbia. stoutly: but she, too, choked and sneezed.
 "Now for another one!" shouted Mamie. Hurry up, Clumby, before anybody comes! But we've hardly any newspaper left for wadding. I'd no idea the old thing would take so much. What will We do?"
 s'I.ve seen the boys use grass" re- piled the resoureeful captain.
 So, with straining arms and heroic disregard of grime, they pulled their heavy ordnance back into position and filed if nearly to the muzzle with arm fuls of dewy grass, ramming it home with all their strength.
 Don't be afraid; they always fill it clear mp, panted Columbia, breathless with her exertiens.
 der?"
 Not |" she responded. That would be girl trick. wouldn't it?"
 At that moment shouts were heard at the foot of the hill. She hastily ad- justed the priming and sprang to her feet. i throng of dark, gesticulating l figures were pressing up the slope. Joel Slocum at the head of the column.
 You leave alone that cannon!" he ] beloved, as he cantered toward them ] like an angry bull 'You shoot that gun again, and I'll have you jailed"
 Put 'em under the pump!" bawled another of the gallant party.
 Look out for yourselves! It's go- ingt" rang out the shrill, sweet treble of the captain, keyed to concert pitch I by intense excitement.
 The fuse was already sparkling and splitting gushes of fire. She stood in it's fitful light, aglow with color. Then the air was rent with thunderous detona- tion-and both the cannon and it's en- 1 closing shed had vanished
 Slocum was hit fair and square by the huge wad of pnlpy grass. Lucky for him he was no neareri Stained green from head to foot, he lay writhing and raging like blistered snake.
 '.She's a'Iillin' folks!s he yelled. "She fired right at US. Tar an feathers is too good fer her" And the erazed mob took mp the cry.
 But the girls also had vanished. The two aids had fled in shrielling panic; but as the storm of threats broke upon her, Columbia staggered to her feet, groping for support, q little stream of blood trfckling from her forehead. Stand backt" she cried. faintly. Don t you dare touch mel"
 Stand back, you scoundrels!"
 A clear, strong, menaclng Yolce came like an echo, as with a reville of hoof- beats from the further slope of the hill, young cavalry officer, closely fol- lowed by a squad of men, drew rein beside her. He lifted the girl to the saddle and drew a big revolver.
 This gun shoots lead," he warned them. Don't you advance another step. Isuspeeted there might be trouble tonight in a despieable little town where they respect neither country nor women!"
 Are you badly hurt, sweetheart?" he asked, tenderly, as they rode away.
 No, Edmund; only little gash on my temple-just scratch, she whis- pered; but she was shuddering uncon- trollably.
 Anyhow" he responded-stifing soldiers oath, for he was still hot with wrath--"you shall fight no more fights ] with the craven traitors of Rustiyal. If you will go to war, Columbia, you shall go with me"
 SCIENCE IN THE PHILIPPINES.