52. CHAPTER LII.
THE JUNCTION.
“Huzza!” cried Captain Bim, when he saw Ruffleton
precipitated down the bank. “He's dead, by Jupiter!
And I'm afraid the fighting's all over.”
“The line was true,” said Bim gravely, “and the aim a
steady one, I own; but there was a mistake in the distance,
or else the horse raised his head after I pulled trigger.”
“But I tell you the centre's been driven!” continued
Bim. “The Tyrant has fallen!”
“Not a bit of it!” replied Fink. “You are too quick on
the trigger, and apt to go off at half-cock.”
“Don't you see 'em carrying him on a litter?” asked Bim.
“Yes, I see that. And I've seen a mud-turtle carried in
a wheelbarrow, and the varmint wasn't dead. Now, I'll
put a question to you. Where's the General's horse?”
“His horse? By George! he fell in his tracks! I see
him now.”
“That's so. He's dead enough—and I hadn't any grudge
against the poor beast. Don't you see how it is? I've
killed the horse, and given the rider a ducking. That's all.
The shot will save my credit among the Indians; but it
might have been better.”
“You are right, Captain,” said Bim. “The horse gave
way at the knees first, and the pot-bellied rider rolled over
his head. The bullet couldn't have killed them both. We
shall have plenty of fighting yet. What's that for? Oh, I
see! They're bringing some cannon out on the platforms,
and we shall have to `squat' again.”
And before the men could avail themselves of the friendly
shelter of the intervening earth, the batteries were discharged,
and the innumerable missiles seemed to strike the surface of
every tangible object exposed to view. Several of the
Scouts were killed and wounded.
But when the torrent of grape ceased, and the workmen
recommenced their operations, the Scouts resumed their
vigilance, and rarely missed any mark that tempted their
fatal aim. But still, the screen being replaced, the bridges
grew rapidly; and as the tide ran down, the width of the
stream was materially diminished. It became apparent that
the completion of the communication with the Southern
shore could not long be delayed.
While such thoughts occupied the minds of Bim and Fink,
another messenger arrived from the President. Randolph
directed the Scouts to hold out at all hazards, until his
arrival, which would be in twenty minutes.
“Fire at the planks, Scouts!” said Fink.
“Will your bullets go through?” asked Bim.
“Yes—that distance. Don't you see?”
Bim perceived the effect of the last fire of the Miniés. A
great commotion ensued among the workmen; and soon
after the nailing on of additional planks was heard distinctly.
“Go back and tell the President,” said Bim, “that we
will defend this shore for twenty minutes; but without
cannon, we shall not be able to keep them off much longer.”
Bim and Fink, conscious of the responsibility imposed on
them, and aware of the importance of the service they were
performing, exerted all their powers to retard the completion
of the bridges.
The last sections were about being thrust forward, where
the ends would fall in shallow water, and a thousand riflemen
stood on each of the bridges in readiness to rush out
and be avenged on the handful of Scouts.
“We can't stand our ground against such a number,”
said Bim. “But there's one thing we can do!” he added.
“What's that, Captain?” asked Fink, as he discharged
his rifle, and brought down a Colonel. He picked out the
officers.
“We can die in our tracks! And I'd rather do it than
disappoint President Randolph!”
“Never say die!” returned Fink. “We can pick 'em off
as they land, and we can hang upon their flanks and rear as
they march. But hist!” he continued, stooping down, and
placing his ear near the earth. “I hear 'em! I mean I
feel 'em! They jar the ground!”
“Who?” asked Bim.
“I can't tell who. But there are horses and carriages.”
“Perhaps artillery!”
“Shouldn't be surprised,” said Fink.
But they were surprised a moment after. For Randolph
had come up, and ranged a brass battery in position a short
distance below. The fire of twenty guns, screened by a
light curtain of bushes, startled friend and foe.
The three regiments of sharp-shooters were in the act of
rushing out on the shore when the first discharge burst upon
the ear. The bridges were broken behind them, and cut
off their retreat. A second discharge demolished many
other sections, and soon the surface of the river was covered
with the wreck of the bridges. The three regiments laid
down their arms.
Randolph, galloping forward, ordered the captives to be
removed immediately; and then hastened to the aid of Blount,
whose artillery could be distinctly heard responding to the
fire of Hunt and Line, several miles further up the river.
But when the President was in readiness to succor his
brave Generals, it was observed that Ruffleton had likewise
marched to the assistance of his Western and British allies.
With the utmost expedition he arranged a battery of 500
heavy field pieces, which swept the battle-ground beyond
the lines of the Western armies.
Seeing no possibility of preventing the invasion, Randolph
concentrated all his forces and retreated Southward
in good order.
