The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-09
SLAVE SQUADRON
A THRILLING TALE OF ADVENTURE
By HARRY COLLNGwOOD
CHAPTER Xxx.

With a shrek OF pain tho object at
fhich l had fired half raised Itself to
n erect position and then fell heavily
prward. At the same moment loud.
iood-curdling yell resounded upon the
eavy night air. and the foggy back
round instantly became alive with the
prms OF the savages who sprang to their
bet and came bounding toward the oat-
ery. hurling their spears as they came.
Take steady aim, my men; select your
ark: and each bring down your man IL
pssible: keep cool now. All! am hit"
reclaimed. as a spear came whizzlng In
yer the parapet, passing clean through
be fieshy part OF my right thigh. In the
kcitement OF the moment IL did not take
e second to relieve myself of my un-
easant encumbrance by drawing the
pear shaft right through the wound; |;
nd the next moment 1 found myself en-
aged with the rest In resisting the hot
st and most determined assault to
hich we had hitherto been subjected.
luckily for us the battery was only
nall affair, and our party was therefore
rye enough TO take pretty good care OF
otherwise that night attack would
ave ended the business. But our men
hd now had the benefit and refresh
ent OF three hours sound sleep, and
hey fought with such renewed energy.
bch dogged determination that the as
lult again failed, and the savages were
bee more driven off.
THAT satisfied them for the time Re-
g. They had deferred the attack until
be early hours OF the morning, doubt
ss hoping 10 find US worn out with
aseless watching, and perohance at
Ingth overcome with sleep; and instead
that we had been found more alert
IAN ever; In their anxiety TO take us
1awares they had rather overdone IL,
fact, and the result was that they left
undisturbed for tho short remainder
the night.
There was, however, no more rest for
after this well-planned attempt at a
lrprised dared not allow any of my party
again go off duty. and sunrise found
still anxiously watching for another
tack
When the mist at length cleared away
p discovered the hostile canoes still
osely hemming us In but they now
emed TO have tired OF their fruitless ef-
t.
I'd apparently made up their minds to
y the effect OF regular siege. This was
d enough: for our provisions. though
sbanded with the utmost care. were
ly sufficient to allow us a mere mouth
each for two meals during that day:
to be spared the fatigue OF constantly
hting was something to be grateful for;
Id l felt certain that the relief expedi
pm must appear before the lapse of MANY
urs longer. We consequently sat down
our scanty morning meal not only with
celent appetites but also In very fair
irits, considering what we had lately
en- called upon to endure; and, the meal
Ter, l next devoted my attention to the
punded, OF whom there were by this
ne several, and did what / could 10
Ike them and myself as comfortable as
ssible
About an hour after sunrise a little air
pm the eastward sprang up, and by
m. IL was blowing quite free breeze.
llch, though IL certainly refreshed us
eatiy. and was in pleasing contrast to
sunocating heat of the day before, 1
IS rather sorry TO see: for l knew that,
mbined with the current. Il would so-
Pusly retard the advance OF our friend.
the river.
trife anxious about this matter: | could
at all understand why Il was that we
d been left to take care of
rselves so long. IL the French
3at had reached the creek In
fety she would doubtless arrive
lout ten or eleven p. m, or few hour.
ly after our establishment OF ourselves
on the island. Forty hours or ther-
outs had elapsed since thon. yet there
rs no sign OF help Could IL bc possible
at the Frenchmen had not escaped af-
all? in that case we might have 10
Nc another day, or even couple OF
Us: for i thought II scarcely probable
az Capt Vernon would take alarm on
instant Of our becoming overdue. I
ls anxiously Weighing all these sur
ses in my mind, and endeavoring 10 ar
re- at fair and reasonable estimate or
Ie longest possible time we might stin
expected to hold out. when the lookout