Part 37 (2/2)

Quarter of an hour went by, and the dru had ceased

Suddenly a shout went up from behind the belt of ti a shell into the ditch outside the stockade

”Hullo, they have a cannon after all,” thought Captain Moore He called Dilberry to hie of that piece?” he asked

”I can try, sir”

”Then do it, and if you can disable the piece so unner ran off and sighted one of the cannon of the fort with care

A few seconds later the cannon spoke up with a report that rang in the boys' ears for long after The ball sped straight into the ti beside the piece the ene One desperado was killed instantly and another badly injured

”A fair shot!” said the young captain ”Try it again,” but before Dilberry could do so the cannon ithdrawn froht

After this came another lull, as if desperadoes and Indians were considering what to do next

”It's a wonder they don't make a rush,” said Joe, ”if they have so many in their command”

”nobody cares to risk an advance in the open, Joe,” said old Benson

”More than likely they won't try to do , coupled with shrill hoops

Then, with a wild yelling and a brandishi+ng of rifles, about a hundred and fifty red men burst fro!” was the cry

”Stand firm, men, don't waste your aunner ”Let theain, and the shot tore through the advancing horde of Indians, laying four of them low

Then cae of the piece in the hands of the desperadoes The splinters flew in several directions around the stockade and one soldier was seriously wounded

The cannon ball grazed the flagstaff, and presently it was seen to totter

”Look out!” roared old Benson to Joe, and as he spoke down came the Stars and Stripes on the heads of Joe and Darry, and a section of the flagstaff with it

”The flag is down!” A score of voices took up the cry, and a yell of triuoing to rean to climb what remained of the pole He carried the halyard with hilorious Stars and Stripes once more in position

In the meantime the soldiers under Captain Moore were busy The Indians were now at the ditch, and one had advanced as far as the stockade itself They were yelling like dean to show themselves, confident that the fort would soon be taken

”They haven't got a corporal's guard to defend it!” cried Matt Gilroy

”Nearly everyone of those inside is sick Co, for soldiers and Indians were discharging their weapons as rapidly as possible The redboard, to which cross-pieces were nailed This board was now set slantingly against the stockade, and a dozen warriors rushed upon it