Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1902-05-21

threw no CLEAN down that flank
where the cliff ran sheer to the plains
beneath. And so it was under cover
of the darkness that Phorenice
brought up her engine into position
for attack.
Planking had been laid down for it's
wheels, and the wheels themselves
well creased, and it may be that she
| hoped to march in upon us while all
slept. But there was a certain
| creaking and grooming of timbers
and labored painting of men which
gave advertisement that something
was being attempted, and the alarm
was spread quietly in the hope that,
| if surprise had been planned, the
real surprise might be turned the
other way.
A messenger came to me, running,
where I sat. in the house at the side
of my love, and she, like the soldiers
wife she was made to be-, kissed me
and babe me go quickly and care for
my honor, and bring back my wounds
for her to mend.
On the rampant above the gate
all was silence, save for the faint
rustic of armed men, and out of the
black darkness ahead, from the other
side of the broken causeway, came
the sounds of which the messenger
had warmed me.
The captain of the gate came to
me and whispered: eve have made
no light till the king came, not know
ing the kings will in the matter. Is
it wished 1 send some of the throw
ing-fire down yonder, on the chance
that it does some harm, and at the
same time lights up the place? Or
is it willed that we wait for their sur
prise?"
''Send the fire." I said, "or we may
find that Phorenice's brain has been
one too many for u.s."
The captain of the gate took one
of the balls in his hand, lit the fuse
and hurled it. The horrid thing
burst among mass of men who were
laboring with huge engine, spatter-
ing them with its deadly fire, and
lighting their garments. The plan
of the engine showed itself plainly.
They had built them svast great
tower, resting on wheels at it's base,
SO that it might be pushed forward
from behind, and slanting at it's foot
to allow for the steepness of the path
and leave it always upright.
1t was stored inside, with ladders
joining each floor, and through Sits
in the side which faced us bowmen
could cover an attack. From it's top
a great bridge reared high above it,
being carried vertically till the tower
was brought near enough for it's use.
The bridge was hinged at the third
story of the tower, and fastened with
ropes to it's extreme top; but, once
the ropes were cut, the bridge would
fall, and light upon whatever came
within it's swing, and be held there
by the spikes with which it was stud
ded beneath.
1 saw, and inwardly felt myself
conquered. The cleverness of Pho
renice had been too strong for my
defense. No war-engine of which
we had command could overset the
tower. The whole of it's massive
timbers were hung with the wet new
stripped skins of beasts, so that even
thC I'LL SOo1o uOO OCStIOy
it. What puny means we had to i'm
pede those who pushed it forward
would have little effect. Presently it
would come to the place appointed,
and the ropes would be cut, and the
bridge would thunder down on the
rampant above our last gate, and the
stormers would pour out to their
final success.
Well, life had doomed very pleasant
for me these few days, with a warm
and loving Nais once more in touch
of my arms, but the high gods in
their infinite wisdom knew best al
ways, and I was no rebel to stay
stiff-necked against their decision.
But it is ever a soldiers privilege,
come what may, to warm over a fight,
and the most eXquisitely fierce JOY
of all is that final fight of a man
who knows that he must die, and who
lusts only to make his bed of slain
high enough to carry due memory
of his powers with those who after
wards come to gaze upon it. I
gripped my ak, and the muscles of
my arms stood out in knots at the
thought of it. Would Tatho come to
give me sport? 1 feared not. They
would send only the common sol
diers first to the storm, and I must
be content to do my killing on those.