The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-07-29

Burton, please don't tell 'em home how
cried like a baby and came near fainting.
l shall tell the major that I'll try to act as
his aid if he wants me to after I've seen
'em all at home; but l won't be an
officer, or take command of men. Con-
found it! something might happen that
would make me blubber before them all.
Only mans fit to command men,
don't you fret about being man
Your gristle will harden mighty fast the
next few weeks
"Ah, Burton, don't feel sure of seeing
the next few hours. See, there's a troop
of cavalry following u.s."
"Come, brother Gus, you're tired to
death, and therefore, blue. All the rest of
us know that anyone so plucky and lucky
is bound to live through everything and
make name. The ensign you captured
said that Major Hanger, who commanded
the cavalry, was wounded, and believe it
was your shot that knocked him over;
and so he strove to cheer the boy into his,
usual courage and hopefullness
The pursuing force of the enemy's cav
airy being small, Graham was induced by
his officers to form his men in line on the
brow of hill and await an attack. The
action was rather contrary to his judg-
ment, for he believed that other and larger
bodies of troops must be in the vicinity.
The foe, perceiving his defensive attitude,
approached so slowly and YEARLY, and be-
gan firing at such long range that he
was soon led to spect that their attack
was only feint to detain him, and he ex-
pressed his fears to his officers, but they,
for a time, overruled his desire to continue
the retreat.
| At last, but all too late, he resumed his
march. AS his little force approached
cross road they saw large body OF Eng
lish troops riding rapidly forward to in
tercept them. Sharp and shrill the bugle
sounded, Forward gallop! and away they
went, receiving shots in the flank and
rear as they passed the fatal point
II now became question of speed and
endurance on the part of the horses, for
the pursuing force so far outnumbered
the partisans as to render resistance hope
less. Unfortunately, the vicinity was opea'
and the road bordered by hi h stone walls,
therefore, there was no chance to distract
the enemy by dispensing and seeking @.
concealment.
The intrepid Graham refined in his
horse and took hi place in the rear of the
| flying column, seeking, as was his custom,
the point nearest the enemy. His brother
George, Burton and Angus followed his
example and kept near his side. The face
of the young major was pale and stern,
showing that this headong flight was gal
linz in the extreme. His hand was often
on his sabre hilt as if it was hard to resist
the impulse to turn upon the enemy.
Tears were again in Angus's eyes; and he
believed he most die, for he saw that the
British troopers were gaining upon them.
With logged resolution, he kept his eye
on the major that he might obey the least
sign. Again the supreme thought of duty,
and his purpose to do it, no matter how
greatly he shrunk and trembled, stood him
in good stead, keeping him at the post OF
honor and danger. Burton was in rage,
his hot blood chatting at the necessity of
flight. His eyes, however, were often and
wistfully turned upon Elias brother. To
cool George Graham the affair was taking
on the aspect of q problem. His gray
eyes from time to time measured the dis
lance that interviewed between them and
their pursuers and then searched the road
in advance for piece of woods in which
they could scatter, but only flying forms
were seen obscurely through clouds OF
dust
Nearer and nearer Numbered the British
troopers, their hoarse shouts and yells be
coming every moment more terribly dis
tinct.
"Joe they are gaining on us" said
George quietly.
(To BE coET1sUED.)