The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-07-02

THE ATTACK.


ing him, turned toward the interior Of
the house, and found not man of us ut
his post but Gray. II was the first time
we had ever seen him angry.
"Quartersl" he roared. And then, az
we all skunk back to our places, Gray"
he said. "Ill put your name in the log;
you've stood by your duty like sea-
man. Mr.. Trelawney, I'm surprised at
you. sir. Doctor. thought you had
worn the kings coatl II that was how
you served at Fontenoy. SIR. you'd have
been better In your berth"
The doctors watch were all back at
their loop-holes. the rest were busy
loading the spare muskets, and every
one with red face. you may be certain,
and flea In his ear. as the saying IL.
The captain looked on for awhile In
silence. Then he spoke.
"My lads" be said. "Fve given
Silver a broadside. pitched II In red
hot on purpose; and before the hours
out, as he said, we shall be boarded
We're outnumbered, needn't tell you
that. but we fight In shelter; and, a
minute ago, i should have said we
fought with discipline. I've no manner
Of doubt that we can drub them. il you
choose"
Then he went the rounds, and saw,
as he said. that all was clear.
On the two short sides of the house,
east and west. there were only two
loop-holes; on the south side where
the porch was, two again; and on the
north side, five. There was q round
score of muskets for the seven of us:
the firewood had been built into four
piles-tables, you might say-one
about the middle of each side, and on
each OF these tables some ammunition
and four loaded muskets were laid
ready to the hand OF the defenders In
the middle, the cutlasses lay ranged.
Toss out the fre," said the captain;
"the chill Is past, and we mustn't have
smoke In our eyes"
The iron fire basket was carried
bodily out by Mr.. Trelawncy, and the
embers smothered among sand.
Hawkins hasn't had his breakfast,
Hawkins, help yourself. and back Ia
your post TO eat It," continued Capt
Smollett. Lively, now, my lad; you'll
want IL before you've done. Hunter
serve out . round OF brandy TO all
hands"
And while this was going on the cap.
tain completed. in his own mind, the
plan OF the defense.
doctor. you will take the door," he
resumed. "See and don't expose your.
self; keep within, and FIRE through the
porch. Hunter, take the east aide
there. Joyce. you stand by the west
my man. Mr.. Trelawney, you are the
best shotgun and Gray take this long
north side, with the 1--WE loop-holes
it's there the danger IL. II they can get
up 10 II, and fire In upon us through
our own ports. things would begin 70
look dirty. Hawkins, neither you nor
/ are much account ut the shooting;
we'll stand by TO load and bear hand
As the captain had said, the chill
was past. As soon az the sun had
climbed above our girdle of trees II
fell with all It's force upon the clear
Ing and drank up the vapors at Q
drnught. Soon the sand was baking
and the resin melting In the logs of the
block-house. Jackets and coats were
flung aside; shirts were thrown open
at the neck and rolled up TO the
shoulders; and we stood there, each al
his post, In fever of heat and anxiety
An hour passed away.
ha NJ In,
This Is as dull as the doldrums. Gray
whistle for a wind"
And just at that moment came the
first news OF the attack.
IF you please, sir" said Joyce. III
/ see anyone, am TO fire?"
II told you sol" cried the captain.
THANK you, sir" returned Joyce
with the same quiet eivility.
Nothing followed for time; but the
remark had set us all on the alert
straining ears and eyes-the musket'
GERS with their pieces balanced In their
hands, the captain out in the middle OF
the block-house, with his mouth very
tight aud frown on his face.
So some seconds passed, till sudden.
~ Joyce whipped up his musket and
fred. The report had scarcely died
away ere IL was repeated aud repeated
from without In q scattering volley
shot behind shot, like string OF geese
from every side OF the Enclosure. Sew
eral bullets struck the log house. but
not one entered; aud. AZ the smoke
cleared away and vanished, the stock
ade and the woods around II looked
as quiet and empty rs before. Not Q
bough waved, not the CLEAN of mus
ket barrel betrayed the presence Of oul