Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-07-05

angles, but each apparently eHueu III
cm dc sac, and to enter one OF them
might have been like running into
gin, from which there was no means OF
extricating ourselves. To make mat
ters worse, too, there was moment
after four or five Braves showed them
selves for moment, and then dlsap-
peared.
Fortunately, the peril that threatened
our little party seemed to clear my
head from the misty sensation; and L
tried to devise some plan for lmmedl-
ate execution.
"They will come upon us suddenly
from one of the narrow streets IT they
mean to attack us, thought, and,
giving the signal to my men, turned
Off sharply to the right, and we walked
rapidIy i'm a new direction, IN the hope
that it might bring us to where more OF
our own men where collected.
That we we're in danger l felt sure.
NV men knew it, too; but all.the same,
in a light hearted, reckless fashion L
could hear them joking together.
II tell YOU what, said one, the
bands as good as broken up, If we
don't get back. What do you say,
Dennisl
s.Spoiled entirely" was the reply;
and, bedad, I'm glad L haven't got To
blow now, for I've no more WIND lett
than would put out one of Wildly Elan
aphan's dips, and they We're twenty.
four to the pound. How are you, cor
porall
g Blown" was the gruff reply.
Then we went on in silence for
short distance, but only to stop short
as we turned a corner, for there was a
burst of yells in the distance, and the
clangor of gong, and we became
aware of the tact that about thirty
Braves were in close pursuit of a coup
lie of our men, who were evidently hard
pressed.
"Come onl" L shouted, with my
blood seeming to boil; but long be-
fore we could reach the spot, we saw
the two poor fellows overtaken, and
fall pierced with a score of spear
wounds.
"Come back, sir, quick, come back .
exclaimed a voice, and the sword-arm-
ed hand of the stout ophiclelde--player
was laid upon my arm. It's IKE
rushing on death, and-here, quick
down here he shouted, hurriedly !;
"thOse fellows who have been dodGing
us are closing up.
! A glance revealed our position plain
ly enough we were between two fires,
| and, darling down n narrow lane, we
hastily pursued it's windings.
"Our people must hear the noise
soon, and clear the town, whispered
the corporal to me, as he forced his
arm under mine. Hold up, sir,
you're a bit weak that's the way.
Now then, men, keep together; it's
out only chance"
The lane seemed as if it would have
no end and all the time there were our
enemies yelling and shouting i'll full
pursuit Ii We were Overtaken, we
| knew what our fate must be-instant
death, or else some horrible torture,
for in their eyes We We're so many for
eign devils.
looked back twice, each time to
see the fierce faces of the yelling mob
painting in pursuit, and once L grew
giddy with dread; but | was pressing
on the next moment, my heart leaping
with Joy as Corporal Smith exclaimed
| Hold up, sir, we'll stand by yOu to n
man; and, look! there's the end of it at
last"
The end of the lane was indeed there;
but, to our horror, We saw that it was
blocked up by the ruins of couple of
/ houses, evidently too near the wall,
which had been knocked down by our
bOat-guns.
It's all up now, me boys, said the
Irishman, with a howl; ''but let's die
game for the honor of the ould ridg-
ment. I'll give 'em a call though,
anyhow" he exclaimed, ''it may bring
help" and as we faced round, he put
his cornet to his lips and blew a loud
rallying call and there, in the face
even of horrible death, so great was
the force of habit, that the other five
bandsmen involutarily raised their in
struments to their lips.
- There, what fool / am" rOared
Smith, lowering his huge bell-mouthed
brass prece the next moment, for the
| Cinnamon were upon us with lowered
spears.
"Quick, my boys man piece first.
| Fire, sir, fire "
had already taken aim at the near
est man with my revolver, and was in
the act of drawing the trigger, when, as
Smith lowered the great ophicleide,
the foremost Braves, saw its huge belch-
| ing mouth directed full upon them,
stopped short, yelling now with horror
turned, and in a moment there was a
regular stampede, the frightened wretch
es trampling one another in their hur-
ry to escape.
"Bedad shrieked Dennis, "the
divils are afraid of the wind insthru-
ments. Blow, me boys, blow! Give
'em the big notes, corporal: let out
at 'em, Tom, with the thrombone.
Murray, then Don't be afraid Let
go with them the clarinet, Tim: that'll
give 'em the tooth-ach. Arrah, if only
Micky Blame was here wild the pipes "
have heard men learning, and L
have heard the pratice In the band
room; but never before, / am conf
dent, did such roaring bray issue
from the mouths of instruments of
brass as was now sent after the retreat
ing Braves.
Fire again, me boys shouted
Dennis, aa he saw in the distance some
half-dozen men paused, as if to see
how many had been slain by he fear
full weapon that put them to flight.
A big one this time, corporal! f"
Plump plump !-phump went
the ophicleide the trombone gr1inted.
snorted, and cut and slashed in all di-
rections, high and low, sending forth
volley after volley of minims and SEM
ibreves worthy of the pedal pipes of
large organ; while the other instru-
n