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Then I got on the log and he follered me " "Jonas Harding's boy'd oughter known better than that," declared the old ranger, with some vexation. "I know it, 'Siah. Poor father told me 'nough times never to move outer my tracks till I had loaded again. An' I reckon this'll be a lesson for me. I I ain't got over it yet."
"Why, Colonel, although I count you as purty near ekal to 'most anything, an' them fellers behind ye seemed armed to deal with any foe, still I calkerlate you ain't expectin' ol' Champlain ter open for ye to pass over dry shod, hey?" Allen smote his thigh with his gauntleted hand and the expression on his face changed. "Right, 'Siah! I can't forgive myself for my thoughtlessness.
These arrangements had scarce been made when a figure was descried approaching at top speed. It was a messenger to warn the settlers of the coming of the enemy. "Run down to the house, Nuck," commanded 'Siah, "and get the news for me. Keep your heads down, lads! Let them Yorkers when they come, think there ain't nobody to home!"
"Haul down the fore-topmast staysail!" shouted Captain 'Siah, at the top of his lungs, a sudden energy seeming to take possession of his nervous frame. "Ay, ay, sir," returned the mate; and almost at the same instant the captain heard the hanks rattling down the stay. "It's coming down upon us like a tornado," said Captain 'Siah to the passenger who was smoking his pipe on the quarter-deck.
Those were beaten off by the 3d Sikhs and Baker's flanks were thus cleared, but the resolute Afghans, bent on interfering with his return march, surged away in the direction of the Siah Sung ridge and gathered thereon in considerable strength. The guns of Sherpur shelled them smartly, but they held their ground; and Massy went out to disperse them with the cavalry.
"Well, lad, mainly that Jonas Harding, who was as quick on the trail and as good a woodsman as myself, should be worsted by a mad buck; it seems downright impossible, Nuck." "I know. But there could be no mistake about it, 'Siah. There were the hoof-marks and there was no bullet wound on the body, only those gashes made by the critter's horns. Simon Halpen " Bolderwood raised his hand quickly.
When the chorus of groans rose from the surrounding forest, his men as well as himself, knew that they had fallen into ambush, and this thought troubled the Yorkers greatly. From the top of the ridge 'Siah Bolderwood had heard much of the controversy at the door of the Breckenridge house and as the really serious moment approached the old ranger was blessed with a sudden inspiration.
On the 9th the divisional camp moved forward to the Siah Sung heights, a mile eastward from the Balla Hissar, and there it was joined by Baker, and by Massy, who on his way to camp led his wearied troopers through the city of Cabul without mishap or insult.
"It was indeed the demon!" gasped the fellow, dragged unceremoniously to his feet by the borderer. "If he ever comes into this colony again I doubt but he'll be hung as high as Haman," Bolderwood declared. "And you were the surveyor, eh? One of Duane & Kempe's men? Well, sir, your back will be well tickled, or my name's not 'Siah Bolderwood! But bear up, man 'tis no killing punishment."
But the greater number of the defenders came, as did 'Siah Bolderwood and young Enoch Harding, soon after sun-up. This gathering of Grants men was a memorable one. Heretofore, the clashes with the Yorkers had been little more than skirmishes in which half a dozen or a dozen men on both sides had taken part.
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