Year: 1879

ers to keep up the courage OF their fel-
lowers. The fourth stone split the door
and the fifth broke the upper wooden
hinge, and but for the bsrricade within
the breach would have been available.
The enemy now being aware of the de-
tense within suddenly dropped the
stone and ran in ut the door. We were
not to be taken by surprise. Again
were the sharp lances thrust out. One
hit with decided effect in the commits
sary, vulgarly called stomach; the other,
as he stopped doubled by the pain, In
the face, infiisting an ugly wound, from
which the blood flowed in profusion. |
He retreated, and we saw him fairly |
dance with rage and pain. The more
of this he indulged in the wilder grew
our delight, which we testified In
screams of laughter. He soon ended
this exhibition and disappeared around
the school-house, evidently on
reconnaissance. There was a dead
silence, and we realized that
which we have so often felt
since, the unknown movement of a
silent enemy. This was ended by
noise upon the roof, and soon volumes
of smoke pouring into the room told us
that strategy had taken the place OF as
smllt. We were to be smoked out. For
a moment our leaders looked puzzled.
Fortunately, in the excitement of the
conflict the fire had not been fed, and
now only few chunks and embers sup
Piled the smoke. These were scattered
upon the broad hearth and water thrown
in to extinguish the remainder. Then
Bill and Bob, selecting four OF the
stoutest poles, thrust them up the chin
ney, and at the word we gave, to use our
phrase, a bloody hist The conse-
quences were rafting of falling boards,
with the unmistakable thump of a
heavier body upon the ground. We
found afterward that the master had not
only covered the chimneytop with
boards, but had seated himself upon
them; the sudden and unexpected hist
had tumbled him off. We heard dismal
groans and cries for relief from the en-
omy. Some were in favor of going at
once to his assistance; others, more
cautious, opposed such merciful err
rand. He's hollerin' too loud to be
hurt much, said shrewd Bob.


"We had division in our council of
war. This ended in call for volun-
teer to make sortie and investigate.
Jack Loder, one of the most daring and
active among the younger boys,
side to the cries for help, was opened
quickly and Jack thrust out. The re-
suit of this was not only cessation of
groaning, but chase that we witnessed
through the portfolios. Jack was a
good runner, and when the two disap-
peared over the meadow into the willow
Jack was gaining on him, and we had
good hopes of his escape. To our dis
may and horror, in half an hour we saw
the master returning with poor Jack in
his grasp. He had hostage, and was
swift in his use of the advantage. Stop
ping before the house he began whip
ping the poor fellow numerically.
Jacks cries were piteous. Oh, let him
in, boys; let him in; he's q KILN O
mel rung in our ears. There was a
hurried consultation. The benches
and desks were quietly removed
from the door. A sortie had been
determined on. The master stood at
the side of the house, south of the
door, and as soon as the opening was
made Bill Enclosed shutter and
proposed parley. The answer
was rush at the open window by the
master, who began climbing in. Brave
little Jack seized him by the legs, and,
before he could kick him of, dozen
stout lads were chnging to them, while
as many more held him on the il ide.
Bill seized the rope and attempted to
pass the moose over his arms. In the
hurry and confusion of the fight he sue
ceeded only in getting it over his head.
Pulling it as the boys did, there was a


fair prospect of ending the useful labors
of this teacher by strangulation. That


he deserved it no one of us doubted


but Bob, having climbed over the mas


ter in the window, and with all the


school pulling at the ends of old Bangs


was soon master of the situation. Get


ting hold of the rope, and assisted by


Bill, he succeeded in tying the arms OF


the almost-exhausted man to his sides


He was then tumbled from the window


as unceremoniously as pig.


"' Will You give up?' demanded oul


leader.


No. gasped the master.


"'Then we'll put you down the well


hanged if we don'tl'


The brave old pedagogue still re


fusing, he was dragged, rolled anG


tumbled to the well-curb.


"'Will you give up, dern you?' de
I; manded Bob.


No, / won'tl


He was showed inside of the bucket


and orders given to lower. But the
weight proved too much for the lads
and, the crank of the windlass slipping


from their grasp, the learning of oul
district went whirling to the bottom
with laundering noise betting sucl
an exit. This was more than we bar
gained for. Had we really murdered
the master? Bob and Bill, assisted by
the stoutest, began pulling up the un
fortunate old fellow. 1t was hard work
and, tugging at the windlass, they just
caught glimpse of his blonde head
when wild cry of Firel' caused then
to let go, and again the venerable Bangs
ratified down with splash in the water
I Tho arhnoI- -hD,,.. l.,