The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-04-18
CHAPTER XXI.
THE ATTACK,

captdlll' WHO naQ Deen closely watch
ing him, turned toward the interior of
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 places, 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 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 We're all back at
their loop-holes, the rest were busy
loading the spare muskets and every
one with a red face, you may be certain
and a flea in his ear, as the saying is.
The captain looked on for awhile in
silence. Then he spoke.
My lads he said, i've given
Silver broadside. I pitched 1t in red
hot o 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, q
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 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 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, nelp yourself, and back to
your post to eat it, continued Captain
Smollett. Lively, now, my lad; you'll
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-hoIes:
/ it's there the danger is. If they can get
! up to 1t, and fire in upon us through
| Inn1 L.. pol - tniisS would pesln 10
~, ,.o "a, ,i ~, llaWklns' neither you nor
IN 81 ,nuln account ut the shooting;
+, wv" , 80 W ~ ioau ana pear hand
was past. As soon as the sun had
! climbed above our girdle of trees II
i ier VIZ, W., az its iorce upon the clear
d i,S 49, r. GIN up tile Fapors at
, 81. -. 'ooii 'hc sahd was baking
80 ne issiii Iieitlng III the logs of the
49, n'ioose. Jackets ana coats were
aSiue' shirts We're thrown open
sbo,,ido IGN ana rolied up to the
StouioerS; ana we stood there, each at
ms posi-, III tever OF heat and anxiety.
~ iiour passed away.
.,,r, aiai ia mem said the captain.
Inns IS as duh as the doldrums. Gray
"i hsd ; Tor wind.
o,a GU Just at mat moment came the
.7ff news oi me attack.
7 coo ou ptease, SIT SAID Joyce, "if
. aIe anyone am L TO fire?'
1 ..,r, told you SO! cried the captain.
r,;+i, ttln you SIR returned Joyce
~ ..e same quiet clVlllty.
o.iitis ioilo"ed Tor time; but the
.trai,,i ~ Iiau SET US all on the alert,
SIrainlhg ears and eyes-the musket-
WIN their pieces balanced in their
ne rs. 'le captain out In the middle
~ III. piock-nouse, with his mouth
very ught and froWn on his face.
~ soiiie SECONDS passed, till suddenly
o e Mhlpped up his musket and
hleu. Inc report had scarcely died
aMas ere IL was repeated and repeat
~ IN Witnout IN scattering volley,
anol penihd shot, ike string Of
seese, IRON every side Of the Enclosure.
several pul'ets struck the log house,
put no. one entered; and, as the smoke
cisared away and vanished. the stock
adc ana inc woods around it looked