The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-11-05

these words were said in the few moments
before the apparatus of war was made ready
70 ana Dy their hands and in the changing of
scene they were engaged in supporting the
defence OF their division against the sortie
which had been made by a strong BODY of Rus
slams upon it. The enemy's screech. the cheers
of the English, the alarm sung out by the I'm
giles, the cracking of musketry, the blaze Of
murderous fire that far round illuminated the
Piace-all .uade up scene that told on the
spirits and hearts of those engaged Some i,
animated to madness; and when the enemy a,
last gave way, and the impetus of pursuit be-
gan, the party commanded by our two heroes
| (unluckily for themselves) carried it too far
and found themselves before long bevond their
own lines, and in over close neighborhood OF
the Russian supports, which enabled the fug
hves to rally, and turned the tide against those
who were bat now conquerors There wa
nothing TO do but to retreat. Far behind, the
note OF the English bugles was heard, sounding
the cease firing" hut that was not the call
that suited the affairs of this too forward par,y
Gradually draeing back, the men alternatel,
tired and retreated, their officers nearest the
enemy, and preserving with great GOODNESS their
own and the mems presence of mind and stead
ness. But the numbers that we're opposed to
them increased; and at last, dash being
made by their whole body, the English were
broken, and fled back to their lines.
Charles Graburn would fain have fed too !;
but before he knew that he was not running, be
was lying insensible on the ground, struck BY
one ball through the neck, and another on the
hip. His last act of consciousness was to grap-
pie great thistle, and find energetic fault with
II, Tor prlcklng his hands. After that, battle,
! Russians, home, Harkstone Castle, fight, pur
sult-all were nothing to him for a space. He
knew not how long the space, nor what were
the events passing till at last pain returned. and
consciousness, and by degrees the knowledge
OF his situation. 1t was dark night still, though
to the east the crags doomed out of the obscu.
rity where the day was sending forth on the
blackness its first obscure dull brown. The
earth around was-slmost hidden, but he could
perceive few great stones and some stumps
OF brush, and at last lump, which bore the
proportions of man, lying moderately near.
"lrs poor Fred, probably" thought he awe
were close when fell !" and with extreme diff
ficuity he dragged himself near to the PROSTATE
man, and could then discern that he was alive,
by an occasional movement.
is 1t you, Fred2" he gulped out, scarcely
able to speak, for his neck.wound. You are
alive, then2"
Yes, but think I've enough And you 2"
bad enough; l can scarcely stir. But
Fred, I've something to do before die, if am
to die. DO you remember what said to you
when the bugles sounded?"
" Not the least"
What do you think? I've inherited Hank
stone CASTLE
" Odd enough" said Frederick.
Sand want to leave it asoay from Nieho-
las, and to Florence"
You are wandering, poor Charley"
" o. no. I've all m uita apd aloo lilo
side of Spoker's letter. Pll contrive to scrawl
it, if you'll contrive to sign"
go on" said Fred.
Charles Graburn, thus encouraged, took from
his pocket the letter, which was dyed and wet
with his blood and as far as he could discern
the black mark of his pencil on that part of
the paper which continued white, wrote, al
leave my whole property to Florence de Myle.n
Frederick gIrasped the pencil, and with infinite
burns spirits rose with the excitement.
But there should be two witnesses, by
rights" said he. "If it's not perfectly good,
old Nick will come down upon it."
81 don't know where you'll get another"
said Fred.
I" A Russian is the only chance and the first
daylight will bring plunderers, who are more
likely to bayonet US than to sign your will"
True enough; can't you crawl away,
FRED
Mot I Pm shot through both thighs; am
motionless."
Both were silent; they bore their pain gal
lantly. They endured stoutly the ideas which
could not but press on them-of the enemy.
against whom they were helpless. All was
still for another quarter of an hour; then the
earth vibrated beneath their PROSTATE forms.
and, directly after, the sound of horses feet,
approaching at trot, made itself heard II
was Russian party as appeared by the tone
OF their speech but, in the darkness, they did
not perceive the wounded soldiers, and thew
passed on. They were followed at a short dis.
lance by an officer of their own, who deviated
a little from the track of his party, and passed
near the young men. Charles's thoughts were
very much carried out of his situatio. by his
momentary possessions. Az tse officer came
near, he lifted up his arm, and, at the same
time, called to him in French, Une grace,
Monsieur" |
me craignez rien, Monsieur" said the off.
Ger.
"Craindre !" cried Charles. oil ne s'aoit
pas de celia. De grace, Monsieur. Sous siq-
,ser Get ecrtt"
Comment mon nomP" said the officer.
who could hardly be said to have paused.
MATS oUi, Measurements oui cest mon
testoment' I
"Ah, Monsieur" said the Russian, hastily
jumping OFT his horse, and doing as he was ask |
ed, and on again in a second.
lean Niashensko," said Charles, reading the |
characters with strsining eyes. Au reooir,
Monsieur Nidshensko, au Chateau Harkstone
comte Dorset" I
The officer was gone while the words were
saying, but he heard them, and touched his cap,
half laughing, as he started after bis men.
"Who knows, Fred" said Charles, his spirits /
quite elated as he lay there" who knows but /
you, and /, and that fellow, shall be by the
Christmas fire at Hapkstone yet ?"
Not l." said Frederick. "If you ever get
back. take my love to poor Alice"
81 will, I WILL" said Charles and. after a
pause, he broke out again: "And, Fred, if
you do come, bring Alice with you"
"All right" said Frederick, not able Or will.
ing to dispute about probabilities.
The daylight meantiEae grew clearer, and
they could sec several of their own men living
motioniess upon the stony earth. At a dis.
lance, too, it seemed as if figure moved in the
dim twilight, STOPPING at each PROSTATE BODY II
came to, and, after few seconds, again ed
vancing. Charles Graburn grasped the sword
which still lay by his side.
"Pll not die like q dae without striking a
blow" thought ne hut, q moment after, he re-
LACED his hold, and cried aloud" He's our
own Soldier, come hither
The figure turned ct the voice, and approach.
ed at run but the same exclamation which
had caught his attention excited that also Of
four gray-coated figures, which had been partly
hidden BY inequalities in the ground, partly by
the mist of the wintry morning. Thsy were
nearest, and spraug at once upoa the two ofa.
GERS. Plenniki Pfisnni<r ~ said both