The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-09

men raised simultaneous cheer. follow
ed by a joyous shout Of
THE boats! The boats Here they
como. Here they come. Hurrahl'
With one bound reached the parapet.
and, sure enough, at a distance of only
three quarters OF a mile away, and just
sweeping fairly into view from behind
the next island below US. the launch,
pinnace and second cutter Of the Daphne
appeared. with their ensigns streaming
In the breeze and the quck-fashing oar
blades and the bayonets OF the "jollies"
cleaning brightly in the sun.
sUp lads! and give them a cheer, just
to let them know where we are" ex-
claimed, exultantly; and at the word up
scrambled the whole OF our little party
except poor old Mlldmay, who was too
seriously hurt TO move withuot assistance
and from the top OF the parapet we
sent echoing down TO them upon the
wings OF the breeze three such ringing
cheers as must have assured them OF the
sincerity or our delight at their appear
auce, AS the sound reached the boats
i saw the officers rise. IN the stern sheets
the oar-blades flashed quicker In the
sun; the foam gathered In Increasing
volume under the bows OF tho boats as
their crews put on an extra spurt; and
presently fash and a pun OF feecy
smoke started out simultaneously from
each boat, and the boom OF the three re-
ports came dull and heavy TO US against
the opposing breeze.
OF course we fully expected that the
mere appearance OF the boats would
suffice TO put our sable enemies TO flight,
but nothing OF the kind happened; on
the newcomers, and evinced very de-
cided disposition to dispute their pas
sage up tho river.
We would beat them to a certainty;
fnF
moment doubt that, but In the mean
time, ~ II actually came to a hand-to-
hand tussle between whites and blacks,
we In the battery, who had already had
80 many opportunities OF observing their
perfect fearlessness. knew very well that
the latter could make matters decidedly
But 1t was no time just then for oogi-
Ia ton; the moment for decisive action
had arrived. and / forthwith took the
necessary steps to enable our party to
DO their share OF the work In hand.
THAT will do. lads" ] exclaimed. as
the men on the parapet paused 10 re-
cover the breath they had expended in
!1er p Sawr nna greeting to the boats
and double shot tbem;- and you, Tom,
place the remainder or those fuses in
the magazine IN such way that they
will do their work effectually when re-
CURED. We will give the canoes another
broadside. Just to 'fre@hen their way,
and show them that we are in earnest;
the battery previous to showing off TO
Join our lads yonder."
The men turned TO with will the
guns were loaded; and then went with
ment OF the fuses
When all was ready | gave the word
TO fre the six guns belched forth their
contents simultaneously, and without
waiting TO see what damage had been
done. the men seized their muskets, the
water-kegs and our. few other belong
ings;. and with two hands especially de-
down TO the boat, all hands. excepting
Tom and myself left tho battery and
made the best OF their way down to the
Mildmay as comfortably as possible In
the stern sheets, they got afoat,
step your mast, ] shouted, and soc
all ready for hoisting the sail
everything was ready on board the cut.
ter; and then Tom and ! ignitod the fuses
in the three magazines. II was awrully
short; but Il had To be done, and Il was
done coolly and amsrty, aftor which we
bounded over the low parapet and ran
for our lives down 10 tho boat.
Shove off and give way for your lives,
men, l painted, M we turnbled In over
the gunwale with considern BILE loss OF
shin-leathcr; and In another instant we
fast NJ the oars and sail would drive
us The men were just beiaying the hal
llards or tho lug When-boom--a dull
heavy report oame from the battery q
great black cloud or smoke and dust, iib-
orally intermiSed with clods and stones
and masses OF earth. shot up into the air
and when II cleared away the battery
wge gone,
Now. Tom. Jump forward, my man,
and get that oarronnde loaded with grape
or canister or lsnEridga, anything you
hnpen 10 have handy. and be smart about
group OF canoes separate themselves
from the rest and form I'm line across
our course, evidently for the purpose of
opposing our passage and preventing our
effeotlng Junction with our friends
Load your muskcts, man, and draw
your cutiassss, we must get through that
line OF canoes somehow. and mean 10
DO H."
(ro Re Continued TomorrowJ