The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-07

Thicker and thicker gathered the mist
|out US until at last IL became impossi-
TO see across from one side of the
|ttery TO the other, and then ensued an
|xious time indeed for all OF us, and es-
fially for me. upon whom rested the
possibility OF directing what steps
build be taken for the safety and pres
Patton OF the little force under me.
build the natives attempt another at
kck that night under cover OF tho fog?
Thought IL highly probable that they
|uld, seeing how important an advan-
be IL would be to them 10 have the pow
| of arranging their forces and creeping
10 the very walls OF the battery >unde-
|ted. The idea indeed occurred 20 me,
|t under cover OF that same fog. IL
|ght be possible for us 20 take once
re 10 the cutter, and. letting her drift
|h the current. In that way slip unob-
Rved away down the river. But a very
II minutes consideration OF that scheme
fficed to convince me OF its impractical
|ty. I felt convinced that our enemies
Ire quite shrewd enough 10 anticipate
|i make due provision for any such at
tnpt on our part. I felt certain, indeed.
tt would the fog lift for moment OF
Iich, however there was not the most
[note probability, we should find our
Ives completely hemmed in by a Gordon
4 canoes lying silently and patiently in
Hitting for the undertaking OF some such
|empt on our part And. doubtless. all
Iir arrangements were so framed that,
1.-The event OF our making any such at
EIpt simple signal would announce
whereabouts and enable the entire
{llla TO close In at once upon us: In
Rlch case our fate must be certain and
{edy. No. | decided. the risk was al
ehter too great and the prospects Of
|cess too infinitesimal TO Justify any
| n attempt
Then as TO the expected attack They
Illd probably wait an hour or two. In
| hope OF tempting us 20 venture aioat;
n. falling that. they would cautiously
se In upon the island. land. steal up
close as possible 10 the battery. and
n endeavor to overpower US with a
| den rush.
fortunately II was not absolutely dark,
withstanding the fog, there being a
on in her first quarter. which. though
[Isible, impaired certain luminous
Ilty TO the haze: and two or three
hrs of the first magnitude were family
iible I'm the zenith. so that II any fight
had 70 be done we should at least
be light enough to distinguish between
End and foe.
Ibis anticipation OF an attempted sur
.he. OF course necessitated the mainte-
bee OF a keen incessant lookout. ac-
I.iingly posted half my small command
| nd the walls. with instructions TO fire
|hesitatingly at any moving object
Ilch might come within their range OF
on But did not expect an Immediate
.hck: indeed the more / weighed the
nces OF such thing the less did they
bear to be, and I'm the mean time we
Ire In urgent need OF water, our stock
Ing almost exhausted. Hitherto we had
falned from drinking the river water.
having a peculiar sweetish taste which
freely suited our palates; but very soon
|eouid be river water or nothing" and
bought that probably this pause Of ex-
Itation, as IL were. would afford US as
Ia an opportunity as we were likely TO
be for retilllng our breakers.
therefore directed the party who were
engaged upon sentry duty 10 make
|dy for a trip 20 the river with two OF
empty breakers
ut before engaging so large a portion
|hny little force In an expedition whicn,
&ugh of the briefest might expose
kn to great. because unexpected, dan.
ID. resolved TO reconnoiter the ground
Iperson. and with this obla,t In vi"w.
ped noiselessly over the parapet 20
ground outside. aud throwing myself
|full length upon the grass already wet
ID the heavy dew. commenced slow
disagreeable journey TO the water
a. intended at first 20 take a look
he cutter en passant. but a moments
Xnght decided me lgainst this course.
being Just possible tha, might fni n
savages either already I'm possession
keeping a stealthy watch upon ,llc
t in readiness 10 pounce upon any in
tious white man who might venture
Approach her I accordingly set out m
<irection about at right angles 10 that
ch would have led me down 20 thu
ID, and though this entailed a conssti.