Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-04-16

| S'SN Will CAC WASH 1OfCe ana re.
sources at her disposal, the speed
with which it was built was pro-
digious.
There was very little noise made
to tell of what was .afoot. All the
woodwork and metal-work was cut
and tongued and forged and fitted
first by skilled craftsmen below in
the plain ut the foot of the cleft; and
when each ponderous balk and each
crosspiece and each plank was
dragged up the steep pass through
the conquered gates, it was ready
| instantly for fitting into it's appoint
! cd place in the completed machine.
The cleft was straight where they
set about their building. and there
was no curve or spur of the cliff to
hide their handiwork from those
of the priests who watched from the
ramparts Above our one remaining
gate. But Phorenice had coyness
lest her engine should be seen be-
fore it was completed, and so to
screen it she had a vast fire built
at the uppermost point where the
!
diligently with wet sedge and green
wood, so that a great smoke poured
out, rising like a curtain that shut
out all view. And SO, though the
priests on the rampant above the gate
picked off now and again some of
those who tended the fire, they could
do the besiegers no further injury,
and remained up to the last quite in
ignorance of their tactics.
! The passage up the cleft was in
shadow during the night hours, for,
! though all the crest of the Sacred
Mountain was always lit brightly by
the eternal fires which made it's de-
Tense on the farther side, their glow
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
we'll CREASED, and it may be that she
hoped to march in upon us while all
slept. But there was certain
creaking and groaring 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 warned me.
| The captain of the gate came to
me and whispered: 1--WE have made
no light till the king came, not know
ing the kings will in the matter. Is
it wished l send some of the throw
ing-fre 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. said, cor we may
find that Phorenice's brain has been
one too many for us"
| 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 it's deadly fire, and
lighting their garments. The plan
of the engine showed itself plainly.
They had built them a vast great
/ tower, resting on wheels at it's base.
from behind, and slanting at it's foot
to allow for the stecpness of the path
and leave it always upright.
! It 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.
| 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 ovcrset the
tower. The whole of it's. massive
timbers were hung with the wet new
stripped skins of beasts, so that even
the throwing-fre could not destroy
it. What puny means we had to inn
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 OH 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 warm
and loving Nais once more in touch
of my arms, but the high gods in
their infinite wisdom knew best al
ways, and was no rebel to stay
stiff-necked against their decision.
But it is ever a soldiers privilege,