The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-10-17

"Ah poor GaspariuiP' he cried with q sort |,
Of mournful merriment; eff to-day is the day |
of the old GROWERS, it is also the day Of
sergeants What is the matter, mon cdpitainep
said he as he passed me. lyon seem to be in
trouble"
He was not far wrong. was in despair. My |
eyes were fixed upon the mountain as if they |
would pierce through it, and at every changing |
shadow, every breath of wind which sighed
with the hope that the long wished for guerrilla
was about making his appearance on the
heights z.,., ..,. .,o...,h,r.
watch. Show yourself some day worthy to
captain. God guard your
the trench. his hands in bis pockets, bent one
knee to the earth, and gave the word !" Fire |"
| We heard report; Gambetta, his head
shattered by the bullets, rolled like lump of
will those beggarly spaniards, never ap,
pear % said to Brocard aside 81 have had
shs1 enough ssasS Of "yon do no.
| know them yet as we'll as l, who have been In
the peninsula since 1907. l have just dis
covered the whole band in the declivity youder
before US. They are climbing along above, 80
as to attack us in front and on both Hanks at
once Ihave counted three hundred muskets
and carbines We will have hot enough work
| in q few minutes"
"God grant it Continue, but more slowly,
so that we need not kill any more"
| Slowly, however, as he proceeded to tear up
|
on, number thirty at length came forth. He
lifted it up to read the name, but remained for
an instant silent.
| "To the devil with it! Let whom it con-
cerns read it," cried Brocard, hinging it upon
the ground.
ing forwerd to pick it up: Yes, it is indeed.
The Lieutenant Polidoro"
"Did You not make a mistake Zanetto'
asked I. =" think it is only twenty-nine."
|
cried soldier. "Don'5, for heavens sake,
decimate an officer"
shouted Polidoro. 81 counted them, and it is
thirty. Come, come! Every one in his turn
No joking! Your hand Bonrdslain You for
He had scarcely spoken when o signal shot
was heard on he mountain, and folio wing upon
it two fierce blazes of fire crushed on our right
and left aud concealed our assailants in their
thick smoke.
It was indeed the guerilla band the colonel
) had spoken of, which, augmented by some OF
Campoverde's men, whom the English had dis
embarked at the mouth of the Ebro, had filed
tow ard tn o mountain, going from Cacia, below
, Tortosa, as far as Casserras, intending from
that point to surprise at Mora. Learning
that company was at Batea, they halted on
their way in the hope of capturing us.
At the crash of the discharge, Polidoro sprang
ed to intoTicate him. His eyes flashed Are,
and his face glowed with ardor. His was o
true warrior soul.
vi
that the company lie brought into this danger
let it be mine to extricate 1t. Give me twenty
u. men. I know the country round, and this
morning discovered a little by openipg
enemys right. You attack him in front; let
8 Bfocard see to his left, and in less than squar'
ter Of an hour all that rabble will DO cut to
pieces or dispersed. If remain alive, / will
! return and place myself at your disposal"
0 "If you return alive replied, 1.-THE colonel
will decide upon your case. San Polo foresaw
| nd una N
J, execution further. Here is your sword, Poll
doro, but be not rash the colonel will not de-
9 priye himself, for any within, of an officer with
d such future as yours before bin.
r II have 70 future Bourdelaine," be returned
gloomy. 81 do not deceive myself with false
d hopes. Preferment is closed against me.
8 will die at least with honor, and bear with me
the regret of my chief"
Corporal Campana had retained with his
e four grenadiers during this colloquy, and Mat
teo walked slowly in the rear.
9 Five men for the advance, and fifteen more
for the lieutenant" ! cried to Brocard.
}, "All right, captain! You hold the centre
It and l the right, deployed as skirmishers-i!
that itf
?. "Right!"
"And IT. said MGtteo, confounded 40 Poll
i, doro, advancing at a run to the mountain
gained some distance up its declevity, withou
being perceived by the enemy. IAN goot
y for nothiag captain, bat to bury my com
radesT
3. "Thou old graybear March at the head O
r the column" l replied, "since instead o
d awaiting us In their stronghold those TOOL
rs have been silly enough to come down to sur
round us. Thou seest did not do i'll to re
ID serve you for better chance"
d Much obliged!' he returned Then w
b, are going to cool their hot blood, captain ?"
The guerilla chief, not having perceived GU
q movement, and there only being City men q
il most before him. pressed confidently forward
never doubling that he could easily com
pei us to lay down our arms. We waited unit
re- part of his men had reached the foot of th
mountain, aud then we fell upon them in soil,
20 column, while Brocsrd, his men employed q
IL skirmishers, attacked and drove back thei
a. left, and Polidoro, having gained his position
forced their right to retreat, shooting down al
Y. who had not rejoined the main body. Suddenl
heard the drums beat the charge behind me
is 1t was company, led by San Palo himself
which had taken the Batea road, and so cut o
5; the advance-guard of the guerillas throw
forward toward Mora.
Q. The Spauard is brave, obstinate and sober
p Injured to privations and fatigurs. He wi
fight long aud we'll behind rock wal
o. but in the open field he generally lacks stead
u ness, and is easily discouraged if no meets Il
unforeseen resistance is attack. He wi