Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-07-10
CHAPTER XXI.
THE ATTACK.


the house, and found not a man of us at
his post but Gray. 1t was the first time
we had ever seen him angry.
"Quarters." he roared. And then, as
We all skunk back to our pla ces, Gray"
he said. I'LL put your name in the log;
you've stood by your duty like a sea-
man. Mr.. Trelawney, I'm surprised al
you, sir. Doctor, 1 thought you had
worn the kings coat! If that was how
you served at Foutenoy, 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 is.
The captaip looked on for awhile in
silence. Then he spoke.
MY lads" he snid. 1--WE given
Silver broadsde. l pitched it in red
hot on purpose; and before the hours
out, as he said, we shall be boarded
We're outnumbered, l needn't tell you
that, but we fight in shelter; and, a
minute ago, l 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 a round
score of muskcts 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 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.
Hawkins hasn't had his breakfast,
Hawkins, help yourself and back to
your post to eat it," continued Capt.
Smollett, Lively, now, my lad; youll
want it before you've done. Hunter,
serve out a 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 side,
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 five loop-holes;
it's there the danger is. If they can get
up to it and fire in upon us through
our own ports, things would begin to
| look dirty. Hawkins, neither you nor
| are much account at the shooting;
We'll stand by to load and bear hand"
AS the captain had 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 vapors at a
draught. 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 at
his post, in fever of heat and anxiety.
An hour passed away.
"lIang thcm!" said the captain
This is as dull as the doldrums. Gray
whistle for wind"
And just at that moment came the
first news of the attack.
IF you please, sir" said Joyce, "if
see anyone. am TO fire."
II told you SOL" cried the captain.
THANK you, sir" returned Joyce,
with the same quiet civility.
Nothing followed for a time; but the
zcmark 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-housc, with his mouth very
tight and frown on his face.
So some seconds passed, till sudden
ly Joyce whipped up his musket and
fired. The report had scarcely died
away ere it was repeated and 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; and, as the smoke
cleared away and vanished, the stock
ade and the woods around it looked
as quiet and empty as before. Not a
bough waved, not the CLEAN Of a mus
ket barrel betrayed the presence of our
foes.
did you hit your MANI" asked the
captain.
mo, sir" replied Joyce. IT believe
not, SIR"
Next best thing TO tell the truth, y
muttered Capt Smollett Load his
gun, Hawkins. How many should you
say there were on your side, doctor?"
II know precisely" said DR.. Livesey
Three shots were fired on this side
! saw the three fiashes-two close to
gether-one further 70 the west"
''Tbree!" repeated the captain. "And
how many on yours, Mr.. TrelawneyY
But this was not so easily answered.
han