The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-31

ton. the battle ragged fiercely. At the be-
ginning some of the rajah's soldiers mad
oircled round the fortified enclosure. only
to md at both sides and the rear sheer
wall that could not be scaled, since tho
.emndar had posted alert sentries at In
tervals along the top.
So the attack was directed entirely
against tho front, the besiegers blazing
away with rifles at the length Of the wall
while tho defenders at tho loopholes.
among whom was Govind Punt, returned
hot fire.
The artillery duel was carried on at q
disadvantage, through a cloud OF smoke
Manrao Punt's gunners aimed at the Dig
red flashes. they could not silence the
enemys two pieces. which seemed 10
shift their location after each discharge.
Nor did Bairam Khan have anything TO
boast Of, In spite OF the fact that MS
guns were ten-pounders Ihe heaVy siiUt
merely Clipped the surface OF the wall.
or spiintered and cracked the outer SIDE
OF tho gates, which were constructed OF
more than ono layer OF stout flinders.
..Whew. It's hot workl" exclaimed Jack
as he wiped his forehead With powuer-
grIrned hand. They'll get tired OF th's
by and by and don't SEQ what else they
can do"
~ was right. sahib." replied tho 20
m,ndar. ..rhe sons OF evil are wasting
their blood in vain, When fortified this
place remembered what learned Whiie
serving with Che army OF the honorable
company.
"The devils are getting the range a
bit better, sir" cried Ruggles; ana even
ms he spoke one Of the native marks
men reeled from his post on the pat
form and fell backward into the ditch.
II was n trivial incident. but 1t proved
a precursor OF disaster. From that mo-
ment the situation seemed to tnke
steady turn for the worse Misfortune
followed misfortune.
The enemy pushing forward under
cover OF tho smoke. and ensconclng
the huts, not near enough to i,ro win
considerable accuracy at the loopholes
In tho wall
peared In tho lighting limo OF the garri-
son, as the zemindar's men dropped 10
tho platform or into the ditch, MAIN
Danerii was hit In tho arm, and he ran
viii unsteady gait to the shelter of the
house.
one of the buss cannon, struck fairly
in tho muzzle by round shot, was
split halfway to the breach ana torn
from its supports, Another got TANNED
and refused to work. Then third gun
burst as the portlre fell on the toucn.
hole Instantly killing, the three men
who stood by-two IIindoos and RUG
giles.
Jack was hurled off his feet. and. as
he rose dizzlly. filled with rage md grief
by the sight OF tho gallant sergeant "
ing mangled In a pool OF blood, q pair
OF slim arms encircled his neck. and
Madga's frightened eyes looked into MS
.'You herel" he gasped.
II saw You fall" the girl half sobbed'
III thought you were dead'
'"rhis Is no place for you," the young
officer said, hoarsely. "For Gods sake,
&c back!'
gathered her In his arms and ran towards
the house,
He was within the pallsade when he
heard n trumpet blare above the crackle
of musketry. He stopped. glanced Pc
hind him, and observed that lsstoourt,
the zelnindar and others were firing down
from the top of the wall,
"Heaven help usl' cried Manrao Punt;
"They have heaped up bags OF poWder'
The fuse is burning"
There was terrific, stunning eSplo-
sion, a sheet of vivid hamo that passed
as quickly as lightning, and then q great
white cloud that concealed everything ror
an instant.
AS the pungent smoke lifted and scat
tered and the sparks and debris fell like
rain, a SAP toothed, with Jagged timbers
umns of masonry. The gates already,
battered and weakened by the cannon
AIDE. had been blown to pieces by the pow
der.
CIo be continued TuesdayS