Miss Caprice by St. George Rathborne
page 212 of 258 (82%)
page 212 of 258 (82%)
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Again the hole above is darkened, as a human figure attempts to push through, but the British soldier is ready this time. He has the gun Philander threw aside as useless, and, with all his power, he dashes this against the human wedge that fills the opening, sending the fellow whirling over to the ground, shrieking out Arabic imprecations, and calling upon Allah to give the unbelieving dogs into their hands. More stones are served. They begin to drop through, and it looks serious for those who crouch within. Certainly they cannot hold out much longer. Heaven is kind, Heaven is merciful. The silent prayers of the two women who kneel within the old tomb are heard. Just when the clamor of battle is at its height, when the climax is near at hand, they hear a sound that brings joy to the little band, struggling against unequal numbers--a sound that has many times been heard upon the great war-fields of the world--the clear notes of a bugle. Then come fierce shouts, the cheers of charging zouaves. It is a thrilling period to those who have been almost at the last gasp. Louis Napoleon, struggling at Sedan, could not have heard the zouave battle-cry with more complete satisfaction than they do now. The Arabs are caught in the very trap they have so long eluded, and it looks like a bad job for them. As to our friends, they are no longer in the affair, and proceed to remove the stones from the door, in order that they may look upon the last scene of the tragic drama. |
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