The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 174: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

366 THE MUTINY ON THE FLYING CLOUD. ‘That will do,’’ whispered Henderson to his companions as soon as he observed this. ‘‘ They must not be allowed to reach the shipyard, or they will doubtless set fire to the cutter and everything else there. Now you see that broad strip of moonlit sward over there which they are approaching. The first man who attempts to cross I will fire at; you, Manuers, taking the second, I the third, and so on, you and I firing alternately, so that we may take the better aim, and Nicholls reserving his fire in case of a rush. Should such take place we must all fire as rapidly as possible, with the object of checking it. But remember this, both of you, we must each make absolutely certain of his man before pulling trigger. Not asingle bullet must be wasted, because in this case it will give an immense advantage if we can im- press the enemy with a conviction of the deadly character of our fire. Now, make ready, and recollect I fire first.”’ As the doctor spoke he carefully leveled his repeating rifle through a loop- hole and brought the sights in line with the trunk of a young sapling which stood full in the moonlight, and in front of which the stealthily advancing figures would have to pass. His heart throbbed so loudly that he could hear its pulsations—one, two, three, four. The first figure is on the verge of the moonlight; he pauses a moment, looks anxiously at the fort, and then starts at a rtin to cross to the next patch of friendly shadow. Poor wretch! he little knows how true an eye is watching behind the sights of a rifle, waiting for him to come in line with the sapling. Another stride will bring him in line with it—cvack/ a flash of fire, a little puff of smoke, and he flings up his arms as he falls heavily forward into the grass. A second figure has already emerged into the bright moonlight, following the first ; it pauses at the flash and the report, as if about to turn back. Too late! A second flash, and a second report, and he, too, falls forward on his face. A third now springs out of the shadow, and stoops forward as if to drag the fallen man back into shelter; but before he can reach him he, too, falls before Henderson’s deadly rifle. That stops the advance effectually, the remaining figures huddling close together where they stand. A most fatal mode of grouping themselves this, for the doctor, whose blood is now fully up, gives the word to fire into them as they stand, and instantly out flashes the fire of three rifles from as many loopholes, followed by such a commotion over there among the shadows as seems to indicate that the fire has not been in vain. Two more shots, one each from Henderson and Manners, complete the enemy’s discomfiture, and a hasty retreat is commenced. ‘* Follow them up, now ; fire away !’’ exclaims Henderson eagerly ; ‘‘ but take careful aim. Now is our opportunity to teach them a wholesome lesson !’’ And follow them up they did, with such deadly persistency that four only out of the twelve succeeded in making good their retreat and regaining the path leading to the cove. Gomicbook