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Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886 [1866], Surry of Eagles Nest, or, The memoirs of a staff officer serving in Virginia. Edited from the mss. of Colonel Surry. (Bunce and Huntington, New York) [word count] [eaf519T]. To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.
Not a moment was to be lost, if we intended to attempt to escape. I never saw Mordaunt look more cool; but, when he recognized As Achmed entered, he advanced two steps and heavily “We are going to defend the house, madam. Will you retire The old lady hastened to obey, followed by Miss Henrietta, Violet Grafton did not stir. The color had faded from her “Let me stay.” she said, in a voice as firm and sweet as it had Mordaunt took her hand and led her, without speaking, to the Her head fell, a burning color mounted to her cheeks, and “Now, Surry,” said Mordaunt, with a sort of devil in his eyes,
“You can count on me.” “Good—I thought as much, comrade. Achmed is armed, “Yes.” “Then we have some fifteen shots. It's odds if we don't While he spoke, Mordaunt, assisted by Achmed, dragged a “Open!” cried a threatening voice, accompanied by the heavy “Come and take us!” was Mordaunt's reply as he cocked his “Open, or you are dead?” “Bah!—we are not children!” “Who are you?” “Gentlemen!” “Officers?” “What matters it? We are men.” “In ten minutes you will be dead!” “It will take longer than that.” The reply was a pistol-shot, which pierced the door and struck Directing Achmed to reserve his fire, Mordaunt reached the “One!” he said, quickly securing the shutters. With another He had scarcely done so when a whole volley of bullets passed I fired at three paces from the window, and heard a howl “Two!” was Mordaunt's cool comment. “Keep against the The advice was good. A second volley came, tearing both
“Open!” howled the voice we had heard before; “open! infernal Mordaunt's cool reply was: “We have the honor to call your attention to the fact that we “What are you, then?” “I have already informed you. We are gentlemen.” “What is your design?” “To defend this house, and kill as many of your command as “Fire!” was the answer in a voice of rage from without. And a volley crashed into the room. “Fire again!—tear down the door!” Another came; then heavy shoulders struck against the door. “Reserve your fire—it misses, or only wounds,” said Mordaunt, Suddenly we heard the voice of Fenwick. He spoke in a low “Captain,” he said, “I know this house well, and I know the Mordaunt uttered a low growl, and raised his pistol—but lowered “It is very easy to say attack from above,” came in response “There is a ladder yonder—and a window at the side of the “Will you mount?” There was a moment's silence, interrupted by a sareastic “That was not the bargain,” replied Fenwick, coolly; “send “A man there, to mount a ladder,” said the captain. Mordaunt looked at me and laughed. “That's a small affair,” he said; “it will save ammunition to
In fact, the young Moor had remained erect, silent, and motionless, The sound of a ladder dragged along the ground was now Mordaunt turned to the young man, and said a few words to “Ready!” came from without; and then was heard the noise “Now for it!” shouted the voice of the Federal captain. The steps continued to ascend; the shutters were evidently With a few words in Arabic, he resumed his former place. “He's dead, Captain—stabbed through the heart.” “Three!” said Mordaunt, laughing. He had scarcely spoken when a furious rush was made on the “They will break it down, Surry,” said Mordaunt, coolly. “So it appears—and then, my dear friend, the affair will be “One thing will be left, Surry.” “What's that?” “To die game.”
As he uttered the words, the door was burst open, and the For a moment the heavy table checked them—and behind this “Surrender!” howled the Federal captain, raising his pistol as Mordaunt did not reply. His arm was extended, as straight For a single instant the assailants recoiled, and I fired at an Suddenly the voice of Fenwick was heard exclaiming: “Kill the tall man!—a thousand dollars to the man who kills Mordaunt fired his sole remaining barrel, and I knew from his “Now for the sabre!” he exclaimed, as the table was hurled The overthrown table formed a sort of barricade, and across To “die game” seemed now all that was left for us. But But we were rapidly forced back; shots fired over the heads At the same moment Mordaunt staggered.
`You are struck!” I exclaimed. “No—my foot slipped—in the blood!” And, clearing a circle with a single whirl of his sabre, he At his side was Achmed, calm yet fiery; and this was the “Charge! and cut down every man!” shouted a voice which In front rode Harry Saltoun, and at his side—Violet Grafton! She had escaped from the house during the struggle—hastened In an instant the detachment led by Harry Saltoun were in Mordaunt rushed through the doorway and mounted his recaptured “Follow me!” rang out in his sonorous voice. And, placing himself at the head of the detachment, he charged
Cooke, John Esten, 1830-1886 [1866], Surry of Eagles Nest, or, The memoirs of a staff officer serving in Virginia. Edited from the mss. of Colonel Surry. (Bunce and Huntington, New York) [word count] [eaf519T]. |