The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

288 THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. steamer—it is our only hope;’’ but before he could take a step the outer doors were burst open, shouts were heard in the hall, and then, through the curtained entrance, staggered blindly an officer of infantry, his uniform torn and disheveled, and blood pouring from half adozen wounds, He plunged forward, and rolled in a lifeless heap at the very feet of Colonel Carrington. CHAPTER V.—THE NIGHT ON THE ROOF. THE tragic scene described at the close of the preceding chapter, following on the very heels of the outbreak, was a fearful shock to all who saw it, and for an instant they could only stare at one another with mute, frightened faces. Colonel Carrington broke the spell. With drawn sword he made a dash for the door, closely followed by the rest, but before they could cross the apartment a louder burst of firing came from the very courtyard, bullets whistled through the windows, and then a scuffle broke out in the hall, and angry voices were heard. It was over in a moment; acry of pain, a low groan, followed by the sound of bars dropped in their sockets, and then into the room burst three Hindoo soldiers, grimy with blood and powder. ‘‘ Sahib colonel,’’ cried the foremost, ‘‘ we are lost. The Arabs and Somalis have revolted. Hundreds of them surround the residency. Yonder in the hall lies a dead Somali. We have barred the doors, but they will soon be in.’’ Even as he spoke, the portals shook under a succession of thunderous blows. ‘‘/The rear door,’’ cried the colonel. ‘' We may escape that way.’’ ‘“No, no; the building is surrounded,’’ rejoined the Hindoo. ‘‘ There is no escape.’’ He was right. Shouts were heard on all sides, the blows on the doors redoubled, and stray shots came in at the windows, both front and rear. Sir Arthur lay prostrate in his chair. ‘The roof! the roof!’’ he groaned. ‘‘ We must take to the roof.’’ ‘“By Jove, he’s right,’’ cried the colonel. -‘‘ It’s our last hope. Blow out the lights and come on, quick !’ The lamps were out in a second, but a duns glare still shone into the room from the torches outside. With an effort, Sir Arthur staggered to his feet. Two of the soldiers assisted him, and then in great haste they hurried through the hall to a rear room. The building was of one story, and from this apartment a ladder led to an open trap overhead. Sir Arthur was pushed up first, followed closely by the rest, and just as Momba brought up the rear and dragged the ladder after him, the great residency doors gave way with a crash, and a wild yell of triumph told only too plainly that the enemy had effected an entrance. Guy’s quick eye observed a big flat stone lying near, a precautionary measure provided by some former governor, no doubt, aah calling on Momba to assist him, he dragged it over the trap. * (E(0) mI boo CS (€(0) i ie r= & .. ll ee Ls” eee