The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-04-24
ONE AGAINST THREE.

J: happened in tie valley of the Spre'
chs, between Dolnja- Tuzls and Hau
Prkovac. On the road, and On botf
slices s furious conflict was going on
which spread itself by degrees into tbs
neiehboring forest, whittier the retreat
ing Turks were holly pursued by oul
men.
A.ter an hours skirmish l suddenly
remarked that 1 and handful OF brave
fellows had separated ourselves IRON
the rest. and although we still heard the
sound of distant String, we had entirely
lost sight of orr companions and Of
the Turks, with the exception Of those
directly ahead Of US. here we were,
fifteen men against nearly twenty Turks!
Ny Friend P called to me suddenly
in the thickest Of the fight, to withdraw
M mea, az the Turks were in the ma
iorisy, and we had gone too far from our
ce1ts. "a little while longer" l
shouted, and perhaps we shall receive
help" The firing continued with the
greatest rapidity; the balls struck the
trunks of the trees, or few kissing
through the branches, which fell TO the
ground. Suddenly, as if by agreement,
the firing ceased; the ammunition on
both sides was exhausted. We faced
esch other with unloaded firearms.
Nc sooner did the Turks see that we,
too were without ammunition than they
sprsag from behind the trees and fell
upon US like wild beasts, shouting
Allahp The foremost of our men
beat down the cimeters they brandished
WITH their bsyonots; those in the rear
began to run away. Back back y
cred 70 my men. Those who remained
surrounded me, and we retired as well
s. we could, facing the enemy when
they approached too near. Soon one
-snt then another of our company fell.
But then came misfortune. The woods
suddenly brought US to long precipice,
FROM where there was no escape. Here
the Turks reached us. Their cimeters
cane down on us like hsil. Our square
OF glitterlng bsyonets defended us well
enough, while the Turks, dispensing
themselves ike swarm of wasps, at
tackled US one by one.
Fighting with the courage of despair,
We mounted again slowly, but the Turks
pressed on with such fury that we felt
il vas sll over. In about ten minutes
only five of our men remained to face
seven strong Turks Brothers, let US
die gloriousIy there is no help for US"
Z cried, and threw myself, sword in
hsnd, against my nearest opponent. My
mpsnions followed my example. Then
ensued s. short but terrible atruggle
How it happened thst found myself
al o. s sudden, fighting three Turks, |
den't know; and I can't remember how
snd where my friend was killed. only
know that / ran-ran SIS fast as l could
knowing that cold death, in the form
of three sharp cimeters, was behind me.
If the Turks reached me / knew they
would cut me into hundred pieces. l
wondered that running 80 furiOusly, /
bad time te repent having left our troops
30 fsr behind, and had spent the last
charge from my revolver. What was one
sword against three cimeters sharp as
ras0-s? NY head swan, my hesrt felt
s. II il would burst But lock A help
from God Not far from me was an Otti
Ger, with his head leaning against the
tEnBk of q tree, mortally wounded,
dying; but near him was my life, my
only nelp-a revolver! In moment it
wss in my hand, and l had taken up my
position 0ehiud a tree. The revolver
hsd six barrels, and was charged with
four balls.
Suddenly the three Turks faced me
with their menscing blades between me
and them there was only the small trunk
Of : beech tree, which was our mutual
SHE'D BSng! went my revolver, and
tie nearest Turk rolled backward on the
grass. Bang and the second Turk, VINO
was trying to get up behind me, uttered
s Wild cry. At this moment The third
Turk, seizing him under the arm with
his left hand, drew him with herculean
strength, before him as a shield, and,
covered in this way, approached me
with uplifted cimeter. My strength was
slmost exhausted. For the third time ]
Sred. but the contents, instead of ems
tering the body of my antagonist, lodged
themselves in that of the shield-Turk.
q You are Iostl" 1 thought to myself;