Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1871-12-25

glance revealed our position plainly
enough; we were between two fires; and, dart
ing down a narrow lane we hastily pursued
its windings.
sour 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 bit wark-that's the wayl =
Now then, men, keep together; it's our only
| chance.n
The lane seemed as If it would have no end;
and all the time there were our enemies yell
| ing and shouting in full pursuit. II we were
overtaken. We knew what our fate must be
instant death, or else some horrible torture
for in their ewes we were so many foreign
devils.
looked back twice. each time to see the
fierce faces of the yelling mob painting in pur
suit, and once grew giddy with dread; but |
was pressing on the next moment, my heart
leapng with Joy as Corporal Smith exclaimed
"HOld up, sir; wen stand by you to man.
and, lookl there's the end of it at last!"
The end of the lane was, indeed therei but
to our horror, we saw that it was blocked up
| by the ruins Of couple of house, evidently
too near the wall, which had been knocked
down by our boat-guns.
"lt's all up now, me boysl" said the liish
man. with a howl; 'but let's die game for the
honor of the ould regiment. I'll give 'em a.
call, though anyhow" he exclaimed; it may
bring a helpl' And as we faced round, he
put his cornet to his lips, and blew loud
rallyng call; and there in the face even OF a
horrible death, so great was the force of habit,
that the other five bandsmen involuntarily
| raised their In trumenls to their lips.
"Here, what fool ami" roared Smith,
lowering his huge, bell mouthed brass piece
the next moment, for the Cinnamon were in a
half dozen yards, and rushing at us with
| lowered spears "Quick, my bOysl a man
apiece first. Fire, sir, irel''
| had already taken aim at the nearest man
| with my revolver, and was in the act Of draw
ing the trigger, when, as Smith lowered the
| great ophcleide, the foremost Braves saw its
huge belching mouth directed full upon them,
stopped short, yelling now with horror turned,
and in a moment there was a regular stamped
the frightened wretches trampling ON one an
other in their hurray to escape
"Bedadr' shrieked Dennis, "the divils are
afraid of the wind Instruments Blow, me
boys, blowl Give 'em the big notes corporal;
let out at them, Tom, with the thrombone.
Hurray, thenl Don't be afraid. Let 60 with
the clarionet, Tim; that'll give 'em the tooth.
ach. Arrah, if only Mcky Blame was here
wild the pipesl"
have heard men learning and have heard
the practice in the band room; but never be-
fore, l am confdant did such roaring bray
issue from the mouths of instruments OF brass
as was not sent afler the retreating braves.
"Fire again, me boysl" shouted Dennis, as
he saw in the distance--some half dozen men
pause, as if to see how many had been slain
by the fearful weapon that put them to flight.
- big one this time corporal"
hump humpl-phumpi- -phumpl went
the ophcleide; the trombone grunted, snorted
and cut and lashed in all directions, hiph and
low. sending f5lth volley after volley Of min.
inns and sembereves worthy Of the pedalpipea
of large organ; while the other instruments
brayed, roared, hOwled and made such dis
cords as would have sent a professor mad
But it was not in vain, for hislsecond discharge
had the effect Of sending the last tail flying
, round the corner, and then the place seemed
once more to swim round me, and tainted.
When recovered, it was to find that my
men had carried me, by some means, over thu
ruins, and that a company of another regi
ment had just marched up.
r "Better, Greyi" said the captain, kindly
"lhey tell me you've had narrow escape.
, suppose there are hundreds ofthe enemy abOu
4 yet. say, there, where are you going, m.
| manl It's not sale for you to get hack there
Come downl''
i ''Iy you plea 9, sor, he's lift the crate gu
u tirs irs III -si 6ic;, 80 80 :: =. ~
= the grinning face of Dennis, recalled tn
scene.
"Bacl directly, sir. I've left my instru
ment," said corporal Smith.
5 The captain nodded, and, after minute
d climbing, Smith returned in triumph with tn
great brass piece, which became from that da
a a trophy in the regiment; and, as said at th
I beginning, you may laugh, but it is perfect
true; and that was how it happened.