Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-04-09
Tbav ctrikn thoir snurs


on and thunder away to the deadly ravine.
The old man, Taylor, said, after the bat
tie, that he never felt his heart beat as it
did then.
For it was a glorious sight to see that
young man, May, at the head Of his squad
ron, dashing across the ravine, four yards
in advance of his foremost man, while long
and dark behind him was stretched the solid
line of warriors and their steeds.
Through the windows Of the clouds some
CLEANS of sunlight fell-they light the gol
den tassel on the cap-they glitter on the
appraised sword they illumine the dark
they reveal the battery-you see it, above
the further bank Of the ravine, frowning
death from every muzzle.
Nearer and nearer, up and on. Never
heed the death before you, though it is GER
tain. Never mind the leap, though it is ter
,rible But up the bank and over the can
non-hurrah! At this dread moment, just
as his horse rises for the charge, May turns
and sees the sword Of the brave Ingc on his
right, turns again and reads his own soul
written in the fire Of Sacket's eyes.
To his men once more he turns, his hair
floating back behind him, he points to the
cannon, to the steep bank and the certain
death, and as though inviting them, one and
all, to his bridal feast, he says,
"CoMEp'
They did come. It would have made your
blood dance to see it. As one man they
whrled Up the bank, following Mays sword
as they would banner, and striking madly
home as they heard it, that word Of frenzy.
'sCome.'
AS one mass of barred chests, leaping hor-
ses and dazzling scimetars, they charged up
on the bank: the cannon's fire rushed into
their faces; Inge, even as his shout rang On
the air, was laid mangled thing before his
steed, lis throat torn open by cannon shot;
Sacket was buried beneath his horse, and
seven dragons fell at the battery's muzzles,
their blood and brains whirling into their
comrades eyes.
Still May is yonder, above the cloud, his
horse rioting over heaps of dead, as with his
sabre. circling round his flowing hair, he
cuts his way through t.s < 7ii, zrttei
says to bis Comrades 'come.''
All around him, friend and foe, their
swords locked together-yonder the blaze of
nusketry shovering the iron hail upon his
band beneath his horses feet the deadly
cannon and ghastly corse, still that young
soldier riots on, for Taylor has said s'Silcnce
that battery" and he will do it.
The Nexicans arc driven from their guns;
their cannon are silenced, and Mays heroic
band, scattering among the mazes Of the
chaparel are entangled in wall of bayo-
nets. Once more the combat deepens, and
dyes the sod in blood. Hedged in by that
wall OF steel, May gathers eight Of his men,
and hcws his way back toward the captured
battery. AS his charger rears, his sword
circles above his head, and sinks blow after
blow into the foemen's throats. To the left
a shout is heard the Americans, led on by
Graham and Fleaston and Winship, have
silenced the battery there, while the whole
fury Of the Mexican army seems concentra-
ted to crush May and his band.
AS he went through their locked ranks so
he comes back. Everywhere his men know
him By his hair, waving in dark masses his
golden tinselled cap; his sword-they know
it too, and wherever it falls hear the gurgl-
ing grcan Of mortal agony.
Back to the captured cannon he cuts his
way, and Oh the brink Of the ravine beholds q
sight that fires his blood.
4 solitary Mexican stands there, reaching
forth his arm in all the frenzy Of brave
mans despair; he entreats his countrymen
to turn, to. man the battery once more and
, hurl its fury on the foe. They shrink back
appalled, before that dark horse and it's rider,
, May! The Mexican, a gallant young man,
whose handsome features can scarce be dis
; tinguished on account of the blood which
covers them, while his rent uniform bears
) testimony to his deeds in that day s carnage,
. clenches his hands, as he fings his curse in
{ the face Of his flying countrymen, and then,
tlighted match in hand, springs so the can
!, non. A moment and its fire will scatter ten
American soldiers in the dust.
Even as the brave Mexican bends near
| the cannon, the dark charger, with one tre-
mendous leap, is there, and the sword Of
May is circling over his head.
ssYield p shouted the voice which only a
few moments ago, when rushing into death
said Gomez
The Mexican beheld the gallant form be-
fore him. and handed Captain May his
| sword.
General La Vega is prisoner !'' he
| said and stood with folded arms amind the
) corses Of his manglcd soldiers.
t You see May deliver his prisoner into
the charge Of the brave Lieutenant Ste
; phens, who, when Inge fell dashed bravely
5 on.
Then would you look for May once more
gaze through that wall Of bayonets, be-
: meath that gloomy cloud, and behold him
, crashing into the whirlpool Of the fight his
long hair, his sweeping beard, and sword
; that never for an instant stays its lightning