Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXIV, No. 5, May 1849Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XXXIV, No. 5, May 1849
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
The sentinel, taking it for granted that it was the officer of the day
who approached, (for Talbot had observed, and now closely imitated his
gait,) did not challenge until the latter was almost within the point of
his bayonet. As he brought his musket to a charge, demanding the
watchword, Talbot pushed the point of the weapon suddenly aside, and
rushing upon, threw over and fell upon the sentinel. Frank now sprung
up, and found that Talbot held the soldier by the throat with so much
force that he was nearly strangled. Together they soon securely tied and
gagged him. At a motion from Talbot, who, putting on the soldier’s cap,
and shouldering his musket, resumed the round, Frank fastened a cord
(which the former threw to him) to one of the barbette-guns, and let
himself down the face of the wall, landing upon the narrow stone ledge a
short distance from the boat. While he was doing this, Gonzalez had
stealthily crawled up the ramp or stairway, and creeping along the
parapet, in like manner, lowered himself down beside the youth. Talbot
then placing the musket by the gun, with the soldier’s cap upon, and his
cloak around it, followed their example, and reached his companions in
safety. One of them then swam out and cut the rope which held the boat
by the stern, but, on his return, found his companions in consternation.
A padlock had been put upon the chain, and in vain they strove to part
the bolt. At this moment the clouds had swept by, and they were thrown
into despair by hearing the sentinel on the south-west bastion call out,
“_Qui viv_.” In desperation they all sprung into the boat as the
sentinel discharged his musket, and gave the alarm. With the strength
which despair alone can give, they seized the chain, and with one mighty
effort tore the bolt from the stern of the boat with a crash. The alarm
was now general, and there was not an instant to be lost. Pushing boldly
from the landing, they hoisted their sail with expedition, and stood
diagonally across toward the main land, carefully keeping themselves in
a line with the angle of the south-east bastion. There was great
confusion in the garrison, several of the large guns were discharged,
and volleys of musketry were fired in the direction they pursued. The
balls flew wide of the mark, and as the felucca was now under rapid
headway, they began to congratulate themselves that they were out of
danger, when, by a discharge of the heavy pivot-gun on the
tower-bastion, loaded with grape, Gonzalez was struck down, mortally
wounded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account