Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-12-26


state OF acm..2oMnoIence Joseph ex-
planned to the men that the leader was
SO Disguised with their ungrateful
conduct that he would not leave the
tent. In Tie evening there was a slight
attack made from the southern side.
This Joseph was able to repulse,
chiefly by his own long range firing,
assisted by a few picked rifles, but
the situation was extremely critical.
The roll of the big war drum could be
heard almost mcessantly, rising with
weird melancholy from the forest land
beneath them.
Despite difficulties the new crop of
simiacine. the second within twelve
months, had been picked, dried and
stored in cases. Without on the pla-
teau stood the bare trees, affording no
covert for savage warfare, no screen
against the deadly bullet. The camp
was placed near one edge of the table
land and on this exposed side tho stock
ade was wisely constructed Of double
strength. The attacks had hitherto
been made only from this side, but
Joseph knew that anything in the ma
.ture of a combined assault would carry
his defense before it. In his rough
and ready way lie doctored his master,
making for him such soups and
strength giving food rs he could. Once,
very late in the night, Wien it almost
seemed that the shadow of death lay
over the little tent. he pounded up some
Of the magic simiacine leaves and
mixed them In the brandy which he
administered from time to time.
Before sunrise the next morning the
alarm was given again and the little
garrison was called to arms.
He took his station on the roof of a
hut in the center of the little stockade
and from there he directed the fire OF
his men. Crouching beneath him he had
disabled native who loaded each rifle
in turn, and just by way Of encourag
ing the others he picked Off the prom
inent men outside the stockade with q
deadly steadiness.
Ii Joseph detected anything like
cowardice or carelessness, he pointed
, his rife with threatening frown to-
ward the culprit, with instant effect.
Presently, however, things began to
get more serious. This was not the
sudden assault of a single chief, but IN
organized attack. Before long Joseph
ceased to smile. By sunrise he was OH
the roof running from one weak point
to another, encouraging, threatening
| fighting and swearing very hard. More
than once the enemy reached the stock.
ade, and, ominous sign, one or two of
their dead lay inside the defense.
| He was everywhere at once urging
on his men, kicking them, pushing
them. forcing them up to the stockade.
But he saw TIE end. Half dazed, the
blacks fought on in silence.
In the midst of 1t hand was laid
on Joseph's shoulder.
"There," cried voice, that corner.
See to it,
Without looking round, Joseph
obeyed, and the preached corner was
saved. He only knew that his master,
who was almost dead, had come to life
again. There was no time for any
thing else.
For half an hour it was question of
any moment. Master and man were
for the time being nothing better than
madmen, and the fighting frenzy is
wildly infectious.
AT last there was a pause. The enemy
fell back and in the momentary silence
! the sound of distant firing reached the
ears Of the little band of defenders.
whats that?" asked Meredith
rha1ply. He looked like one risen from
the dead.
Fighting among themselves" re-
piled Joseph, who was wiping blood
and CRIME from his eyes.
"Then one of them is fighting with
an express rifle"
Joseph listened.
by heavenw lie shouted. by heav-
en-, Mer-sir. we're saved!"
The enemy had apparently heard the
firing too. Perhaps they also recog-
nlzed the peculiar sharp smack OF the
express rifle amid the others. There
was q fresh attack-an ugly rush of
reckless men. But the news soon
spread that there was firing in the val
ley and the sound of white mans
rifle The little garrison pluckcd VI
heart, and the rifles. almost too hot t.
hold. dealt death around.
They held bacl; the s:tvages until the
sound OF the firing behind them was
quite audible even amid the heavy rat
lie OF the mllskrtly.
Then suddenly the firing ceased the
enemy lad divided a.l fled. For q
few moments there was n strange
tense silence. Then Il roice-an Eng.
lish vcice-cried Come on!'
The next moment Guy DISCARD stood
Oil the edge of Tie plateau He held
up both arms rs signal to those