The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1913-05-02
v.
The Defense Of the Stage.

rhere we're times when Hamlin's
sental processes seemed slow. almost
,luseish, but this was never true In
,,oments of emergency and peril.
men he became swift. impetuous.
-aemingly borne forward by some in
sn,r,ng instinct. 1t was for such ex-
neriences as this that he remained in
he service-his whole nature respond
ins almost joyously to the bugle-call
AZ action, Of imminent danger. his
nerves steadying into rock. These
we're the characteristics which had
Won him his chevrons in the unre-
rsrded eervtcs Of the frontier. and.
when scarcely more than a boy. had
mt a captains bars on the gray COZ
lar of his Confederate uniform.
Now. as he struggled to his knees,
gripping the iron foot-rail with one
hand. a single glance gave him a dis
tinot impression Of their desperate sit
uation. WITH that knowledge. there
1kevtse flashed over his mind the
1nly possible means Of defense. The
Indisns, numbering at least thirty. had
ridden recklessiy out from under the
protection of the river bank, spread.
Ing to right and left. as their ponies
hoofs struck the turf, and were now
charging down upon the disabled
coach, yelling madly and brandishine
their guns. The very reckless aban
don of their advance expressed the
conception they had Of the situation
they had witnessed the flight Of the
two fugitives. the runaway Of the
wheelers, and believed the remaining
passengers would b. helpless victims
They came on. savage and confident
not anticipating . fight. but a massa
lcre-shriekiug prisoners. and a glut o
revenge.
With one swing of his body. Hamli1
was upon the ground, and had jerket
open the inside door Of the coach
forcing 1t back against the dirt Of tn,
bluff which lowered in protection
above. His eyes we're quick to pei
ceive the peculiar advantage of pos
ton; that their assailants would b.
compelled to advance from only on
direction. The three within were bare
ly struggling to their feet, dazed, be
wildered, failing al yet to comprehen'
fully those distant yells, when h
sprang into their midst, uttering hi
swift orders, and unceremoniousl
Jerking the ne into position for DE-
tense.
Here. quick now! Don't vast
timel It's a matter OF seconds. l teI
you, Thsy're coming-a horde 9
them. Here. Moylan, take this riff
barrel and knock a hole through tn
back there big enough to sight out o
Hit It hard. damn you. it's a case {
life or death! What have you got, Col
zales? A revolver? Into that viii
dow there. and blaze away; you've &c
the reputation of a gun-man; now let
see you prove 1t. Get back in the co
ner, miss. SO l can slip past-no. II
down below the fire line!"
"But-but l will mott" and she face
him. her face white, but her eyes shil
ing. Il can shoot! See!" and sh
flashed a pea-l-handled revolver del
antly. The Acrgeant thrust her III
tremendously aside and plunge
hcross to the opposite window. gri,
ping his Henry rife.
DO as l say" he growled. 9TH
rs our fight Get down! Now. yo
terriers, lot them have It'll"
There was a wild skurrying
mounted figures almost at the coac
wheels. hair streaming. feathers wa
ing. lean, red arms thrown up. the a
vocal with shrill outcries-then Il
dull bark Of a Henry. the boom of
Winchester. the sharp splitting Of
Colt. The smoke rolled out in
cloud, pungent. concealing. nervo,
fingers pressing the triggers aga
and again. They could Q reelir
horses. men gripping their ponie
names to keep erect, staring. frigt
ened eyes. animals flung back on the
launches. rearing madly in the al
The fierce yell Of e~xultation change
Into a savage scream. bullets crash'
Into the thin sides of the coach;