Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-07-05
VOL. M.

our own men WLeIO COll0cGSu-
That we were in danger ] felt sure
Ny men knew it, too; but all'the same
in a light hearted, reckless fashion
could hear them joking together.
g tell you what" said one, 'the
bands as good as broken up. if we
don't get back What do you say
Dennis
"Spoiled entirely was the reply
and, bedad, I'm glad I haven't got e
blow now, for I've no more wind lef
than would put out one of Wildly Elan
aghan's dips, and they were twenty
four to the pound. How are you, cor
poral2
E'Blown," was the gruff reply.
Then we went on in silence for 6
short distance, but only to stop short
as we turned a corner, for there was
burst of yells in the distance, and the
clangor OF a gong, and we became
aware of the tact that about thirty
Braves were in close pursuit of coup
lie of our men, who were evidently hard
pressed.
"Come onl" I 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.
t'Come back, sir, quick, come back y
exclaimed voice, and the sword-arm-
ed hand of the stout ophicleide- player
was laid upon my arm. It's like
rushing on death, and-here, quick |!
down here he shouted, hurriedly :;
"those fellows who have been lodging
us are closing up"
A glance revealed our position plain
ly enough we were between two fires,
and, darting down narrow lane, we
hastily pursued it's windings.
"Our people must hear the noise
soon, and clear the town. whispered
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 in full
pursuit. If we were overtaken, we
knew what our fate must be-instant
death, or else some horrible torture,
for in their eyes we were so many for
eign 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 leaping
with Joy as Corporal Smith exclaimed
'fHold up, sir, we'll Stand by you to a
man; and, lookl there's She 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 Otf
boat-guns.
It's all up now, me boys. said the
game for the honor of the ould ridg-
| ment. I'll give Eem call though,
anyhow" he exclaimed, cit may bring
help" and as we faced round, he put
his cornet to his lips and blew loud
rallying call and there, in the face
even of a horrible death, so great was
the force of habit, that the other Ave
bandsmen involutarilv raised their in
struments to their lips.
g 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 III
the act of drawing the trigger, when, as
Smith lowered the great ophicleide,
the foremost Braves, saw it's 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 trampllng one another in their hur-
/ ry to escape.
"Bedad! " shrieBed Dennis, eFt the
divils are afraid OF the wind insth1u.
ments. Blow, me boys, blow! Give
'em the big notes, corporal let out
at 'em. Tom, with the thrombone
Hurray, then! Don't be afraid. Let
go with them the clarinet, Tim: that'u
give 'em the tooth-ach Arrah, if only
Micky Blame was here wild the pipes >
[ have heard men learning, and |
have heard the pratice in the band
room; but never before, [ am conf
dent, did such a roaring bray issue
from the mouths of Instruments OF
brass as was now sent after the retreat
ing Braves
g 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 fight.
A big one this time, corporal
Plump !-phump !-phump went
the ophlcleide; the trombone grunted,
snorted, and cut and slashed in all di-
rections, high and low, sending forth
volley after volley of minims and sem.
lbreves worthy of the pedal pipes of q
large organ while the other instru-
ments brayed, rOared, shoveled, and
made such discords as would have sent
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 around me,
and [ tainted
When [ recovered 1t WAS to find that
my men had carried me by some means
over the ruins, and company of an.
other regiment had just marched up
Better, Grey 2" said the captain,
kindly. g They tell me you've had 8
narrow escape. L 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 down! "
q lv you phase, sor, he's lift the
CRATE gun on the other side,n said 8
voice; and as [ saw the grinning face
/ OF Dennis | recalled the whole scene,
Back directly, sir. I've left nv
instrument, " said Corporal Smith.
The captain nodded, and after a min.
ute's climbing, Smith returned in tri.
umph with the great brass niece
which became from that day a tron6J
IN the regiment and as / said at tb9
beginning, you may laugh, but if ie
perfectly true and that was how 4 4
happened.
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