The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-07-22


Col. Davies qrick eye soon took IN the
chances for defence. The forty odd hous'
es were built on streets that intersected
each other at right angles. In front OF
the court house was stone wall breast.
high. Dismounting his cavalry he placed
them behind this partial cover. Farther
on down the street by which the British
would enter, and lining it on either side,
we're fences and garden shrubbery. Be-
hind these distractions he placed his in
fantry and the men of the region who had
volunteered under the leadership of Major
Graham.
Now that battle seemed inevitable,
there was no thought of finching on the
part of our two friends, Burton and Angus.
They, with Others, rode rapidly to the cas-
tern side of the village and tied their hor-
ses, leaving them in charge of Zach Will
son, since he was the youngest of the
party. Then they fastened back and took
position under the orders of Graham be-
hind garden fence nearest to the advance
of the enemy.
II hate this skulking," said Burton,
whose eyes glowed like Goals in the moon
light. IF l were only on my good horse
| ~ WOulu DC SAOllOuo W ut
'em with sharp SABRE"
NONSENSE said Angus, quietly, ''you
know it would be ridiculous instead of
glorious. What could you or all of US do,
riding straight at the whole Bsitish
army!"
"Oh, know Graham and Davie are
right" replied Burton with his grim laugh,
81 was only saying how I'd like to do
things. Some daJ, before the scrimmage
is over, 1 hope to have a chance for a
charge in an open field. Then one would
feel like soldier instead of skulking
hunter"
"Father used to say that those were the
best soldiers who best obeyed orders and
carried out their officers plans. I'm con-
tent to be where l am and | feel as if
could almost die for the chance to draw
my bead on Tarleton. OH see; there they
are. They are forming on the common.
Let US hold our fire till we are sure of our
man."
The boy was quite as deeply stirred as
his older comrade, but IN his case excite
ment tended to steady his nerves and
Danish the thought of fear.
By this time every mouse was closed aud
doors and windows barred. Within were
trembling women and children, some
weeping, some praying for fathers, hus-
bands, brothers, AMI lovers. Without, the
moonlight revealed the dusky, motionless
forms of men, their white, stern faces and
cleaning rifle barrels.
After brief halt upon the Common,
spent by the British in reconoitering the
position of their enemy, the stiffness was
broken by the clangor of trumpet
sounding charge. With skirmish line in
front, the English infantry moved for
ward promptly on the fanks while Tarle-
toms cavalry followed slowly in the cen
ter.
The two friends saw them coming and
knew they two would be among the first
engaged.
"Heavens! how white you are, Angus"
Burton whispered.
The boy gave quick gasp, his mouth
twitched for moment, and then he falter-
ed, Burton, never fired at man before.
No matter how right and just it is, it
seems an awful thing to take aim at
man."
"Drive away such thoughts, Gus.
They'll soon take aim at you and they
killed your father"
"Ah; yes, they killed my father" and
that was almost girlish in the moonlight,
stern and quiet with its purpose.
The warm hearted Burton put his arm
about the boys neck in the shadow of
bush and kissed him. "Give that to Ella
if anything happens to me-" he said.
"How strangely you look like her at this
moment Ha! the balls begun"
The was a flash from a musket on the
skirmish line and bullet whizzed by
Then many other reports followed, the
British infantry closed up and sought to
dislodge Graham and his party from their
cover.
Burton, Angus, and George Graham
were on the left side of the street. The
young major commanding often appeared
with an encouraging word. Indeed he
was so active that he seemed gifted with
the power of being in many places at once
and his acquaintance with the men enabl- |
ed him to address them by name and to
say words of cheer and confidence which |
steadied the aim of many poor fellow
now for the first time under fire. Our |
young friends did not belong to the ordi- |
nary raw militia class, but were finely |
nurtured youths and inspired by motives
of the strongest character. The "sing" of |
the first bullet stung Angus like a cut from
a whip. In an instant he took aim at a
dark form on the enemy's line whence a
fash had proceeded, and fired; then saw,
with strange thrill, that there was a gap |
in that line. For the next few moments |
he, Burton and all about them were load
ing and firing as rapidly as possible. But
the British infantry came steadily forward |
on both TANKS, creeping along the sides
of the street, breaking through and leap
ing over garden fences and other obstruc-
tions; while moving slowly up through the
centre of the street advanced a solid body
of calvary. Again trumpet resounded
above the crash of musketry and, as if
each horse had felt the touch of a spur,
they all sprung into gallop. Their rid
ers, with sabres flashing in the pale light,
and yells that, to the poor women in the
houses, sounded like the cries of demons,
dashed by. All knew that Tarleton's ruth
ess cavalry was charging, led as it was
then believed, by Tarleton himself.
Burton and Angus, all unaccustomed to
Jhe sights and sounds of battle, fairly held
heir breath as the English troopers thun-
Tered by but few feet away. The very
,round appeared to tremble and il SEEM