Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-02-10
CHAPTER XXI.

you've stood by your duty like a sea-
man. Mr.. Trelawney, I'm surprised at
you, sir. Doctor, l thought you had
worn the kings coat. If 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 We're busy
loading the spare muskets, and every
one with red face, you may be certain,
and flea I'm his ear, as the saying is.
The captain looked on for awhile in
silence. Then he spoke.
'Ny lads" he said, I've given
Silver n broadside. pitched it in red
hot on purpose; ard 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,
minute ago, 1 should have said we
fought with discipline. I've no manner
of doubt that we can drub them, if 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 n round
: score Of musllets for the seven of us;
the frewood 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 muskcts were laid
ready TO the hand of the defenders. In
the middle. the cutlasses lay ranged.
"Toss out the fire." 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.. Trelawney, and the
embers smothered among sand.
'Hawllins hasn't had his breakfast.
Hawkins, help yourself, and back to
your post to eat it," continued Capt.
Smollett. Lively, now, my lad; you'll
want it 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, tho
plan Of the defense.
Doctor. you viii take the door," he
resumed. "See and don't expose your
self; keep within, and fire through the
there. Joyce, you stand by the west,
my man. Mr.. Trelawney. you are the
best shot-you and Gray take this long
north side, with the five loop-holes;
It's there the danger is. II they can get
up TO it, and fire in upon us through
fhfrf,ra Nxrnstll haarin IN
look dirty. Hawkins, neither you nor
/ are much account at the shooting;
wen stand by TO load and bear a hand"
As the captain bad said, the chill
was past. As soon as the sun had
climbed above our girdle of trees it
fell with all its force upon the clear
ing and drank up the yapors at n
draught. Soon the sand was baking.
and the resin melting in the logs of the
D1ocls-housc Jackets and coats were
flung aside; shirts were thrown open
at the neck and rolled up to the
shoulders; and we stood there, each nj
his post, in fever OF heat and anxiety.
An hour passed away.
"Hang theml" said the captain.
"This is as dull as the doldrums. Gray,
whistle for wind"
And just at that moment came the
Fl rst news OF the attack.
"If you please, sir" said Joyce, III
see anyone, am to firc|
"I told You sol" cried the captain.
"Thnue you, sir" returned Joyce,
with the same quiet civility.
Nothing followed for time; but the
remark had set MS nll on the alert,
strnining ears and eycs-the musket-
ecrs with their pieces balanced in their
nands, the captain out In the middle OF
the block-housc, with his mouth very
tight and frown on his face.
So some seconds passed, till sudden
Iy Joyce whipped up his musket and
fired. The report had scarcely died
away ere It was repeated and repeated
from without In n scattering volley,
shot behind shot, like string OF geese,
from every side of the inclosurc. Sew
eral bullets struck the log house, but
not one entered; and, ns the smoke
cleared away and vanished, the stock
ade and the woods around IL looked
as quiet and empty as before. Not II
bouRh waved, not the CLEAN of mus
lict barrel betrayed the presence OF our
foes.
"Did you hit your man?" asked the
captain.
"No, sir" replied Joyce. 81 believe
not, sir"
"Ncxt best thing 60 tell the truth"
muttcrcd Capt. Smollctt. "Load his
gun. Hawkins. How many should you
| Say there were on your side, doctorT
81 know precisely" said DIR. Livescy.
"Threc shots were fired on this side.
/ saw the three flashes two close to-
| Rcther-onc further to the vest
"Thrcc!" repeated the captain. And
ho,y many on yours, Mr.. TrclawncyY'
But this was not so easily answered.
There had come many from the north
| seven, by the squire's computation;
eight or nine, according 20 Gray. From
The cust and west only single shot
| had been fred. IL was plain, therefore.
| that the attack would be developed
| from the north, and TINT on the other
| three sides we were only TO bc an
noyed by II show of hOstilitics. But
| Capt Smollctt made no change In his
| arrangements. If the mutinccrs sue
cccded In crossing the Etocludo, he mr.
! gucd, they would take possession OF
any unprotected loop hole and shoot US
down like rats in our stronghold.
Nor had we much time left TO us for
thought. Suddenly, with loud huzza,
little cloud Of pirates leoped from the
woods on the north side and ran
straight on the stoclSadc. At the same
! moment the fire was once more opened
from the woods. and rifle ball sung
through the doorway and knocked the
| doctors muslct into bits.
The boardcrs sw0rmcd over the fence
| like monkeys. Squire and Gray fred
again and yet again; three men fell.
one forward into the Enclosure, two
back ON the outsi'Ic. But Of these, one
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