The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-01

for I've no more wind left than would put
out one of Wildly Flanaghan's dips, ard
they were twenty-four to the pound. How
are you. corporal ?o
"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 a
gong, and we became aware of the fact
that about thirty Braves were in close pur-
suit of couple of our men, who were
evidently hard pressed.
"Come onl" ! shouted, with my blood
seeming to boil ). but long before we could
reach the spot, we saw the two poor fell
lows overtaken, and fall pierced with a
score of spear-wounds.
"Come back, sir, quick, come back ~
exclaimed voice, and the sword-armed
hand OF the ,ophicleide-player was laid upon
my arm. "lt's like rushing on death,
and--here, quick down here, " he shouted,
hurriedly; "those fellows who have been
lodging us are closing up.o
A glance revealed our position plainly
enough; we were between two fires, and
darting down narrow lane, we hastily
pursued its wintlngs.
tour people must hear the noise soon,
and clear the town." whispered the corpo-
raj to me, as he forced his arm under mine.
''Hold up, sir, you're bit weak-that's
the way. Now then, men, keep together ;
it's our only chance"
The lane seemed as if it would have no
end and all the time there were our enc
mics yelling and shouting in full pursuit.
If we were overtaken, we knew what our
fate must be--instant death, or else some
horrible torture, for i'll their eyes we were
50 many foreign devils.
| looked back twice, each time to see the
fierce faces of the yelling mob painting in
pursuit, and | once grew giddy with dread /;
but | was pressing on the next moment.
my heart lcaping with Joy as Corporal
Smith exclaimed, ''hold up, sir, we'll stand
by you to 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 it was blocked up
by the ruins of a couple of houses, evident
ly too near the wall, which had been knock
ed down by our boat-guns.
"It's all up now, me boys" said the
Irishman, with howl SHUT let's die
game for the honor of the ould ridgment.
Pll give 'em call though, anyhow he
exclaimed, ''it may bring help;" and as
we faced round, he put his cornct 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 involuntarily raised
their Instruments to their lips.
'Here, what fool am /" roared Smith.
lowering his huge bell-mcuthed brass piece
the next moment, for the Cinnamon were
within half dozen yards, and rushing at
us with lowered spears.
"Quck, my boys! a man apiece first.
Fire, sir, firelv
/ had already taken aim at the nearest
man with my revolver, and was in the act
of drawing the trigger, when, as Smith low
cred the great ophicleide, the foremost
Braves saw its huge belching mouth directed
full upon them, stopped short, yelling now
with horror-turned, and in moment
there was a regular stampede, the Fighter
ed wretches trampling one another in their
hurry to escape.
'Bedad!'' shrieked Dennis, 'sthe diyils
are afraid of the wind Instruments. Blow.
me boy, blow! Give 'cm the big notes.
corporal: let out at 'em, Tom. with the
throlnbone. Murray, then! Don't be
afraid. Let go with the clarinet. Tim:
that'll give 'cm the tooth-ache. Arrah. if
only Micky Blame was here wild the pipes!n
l have heard men learning, and [ have
heard the practice in the band-room. but
never before, am confident, did such a
roaring bray issue from the mouths of in
struments of brass as was now sent after
the retreating Braves.
"Fire again, me boysW shouted Dennis,
as be 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. GA big one this time, corporal ~
Plump plump !-phrmp !-phump!
went the ophicleide the trombone grunted,
snorted and cut and slashed in all directions,
high and low, sending forth volley after vol
ley of minims and semibreves worthy Of
the pedal pipes of large organ /; while the
other instruments prayed, roared, howled
and made such discords as would have sent
a professor mad. But it was not in vain,
for this second 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
the ruins, and that a company of another
regiment had just marched up.
"Better, Grey 2" said the captain, kind
ly. "They tell me you've had narrow
escape. suppose there are hundreds of
the enemy about yet. | say, there, where
are you going, my man? It's not safe for
you to get back there. Come downp,
"Iv you phase, sir, he's lift the CRATE gun
on the other side,o said voice; and as |
saw the grinning face of Dennis, recalled
the whole scene.
''Back directly, sir. I've left my instru-
ment," said Corporal Smith.
The captain nodded, and after minutes
climbing, Smith returned in triumph with
the great brass piece, which became from
that day trophy in the regiment; and, as
! said at the beginning, you may laugh, but
it is perfectly true; and that was how it
happened.