Page:Aristopia (1895).pdf/222

 dash the Americans were upon the British, bayonet to bayonet, and instantly the enemy were hurled back over the earth-works.

Pausing behind the works to reload, the Aristopians gave their foes another volley. Meanwhile the battery came thundering to the front, and quickly unlimbering on the right and left of the infantry, poured grape upon the broken and retreating line of the British.

In a few minutes the other Aristopian regiments came up, and, forming on the left, drove the British out of the breastworks of hay and rails, stretching down to the Mystic River, which defenses had a few minutes before been given up by the farmer-soldiers of New Hampshire.

Thus the desperate sally of the British ended in utter failure and terrible loss.

Then the siege was resumed, and the six cannons of the Aristopians were soon hurling their missiles from the heights down upon the British men-of-war. The Aristopians brought with them a great supply of powder, the supply of the besieging army had become completely exhausted, threatening the failure of the siege, but thenceforth there was no lack, as fresh supplies were hurried forward from Aristopia.