Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-05-11


hand. The captain was mnttering between
his teeth in a broken voice: They're not
coming! They're not comngl' and he ran
furiously about, twisting his saber in his
clenche,l hand, resolved to die when n SER
geant. coming down from the garnet, cried in
n loud voice: "Thev're comingl"
"They're coming!' the captain repeated
with shout of joy. At this shout all, un-
hurt, wounded, sergeants and officers, rushed
to the windows and once more the resistance
grew fierce A few moments after, Al sort of
uncertainty and beginning of disorder were
remarked i'll the enemy Immediately, in
great haste, the captain formed a small com
pany down stairs, with fixed bayonets, ready
to make a sally. Then he flew up stairs again
He had scarcely got up there when they
heard hurried tread, accompanied by
formidable hurrah, and from the windows
they saw advancing through the smoke the
two cornered hats of the Italian carabineers
a squadron dashing along at full speed, and
the flashing of sword blades brandshetl in the
air, descending on the heads, shoulders and
backs of the enemy. Then the little troop
rushed out Of the door with lowered bayo-
nets; the enemy wavered, became disortered
and took to flight; the ground remained clear,
the house was free, and II short time after the
height was occupied by two battalions of in
fantry and two cannon.
The captain, with his remaining soldiers,
rejoned his regiment, fought again, and was
slightly wounded in the left hand by glanc-
ing ball, in the last bayonet charge. The day
ended in victory for us.
| But the day after, the fight having begun
again, the Italians were overwhelmed, i'll
spite of brave resistance, by the superior
numbers of the Austrians, aId on the morn
~ fl,o
sorrowfully toward the Mincio.
The captain, although wounded, marched
On foot with his soldiers, who were tired and
silent, and toward sunset reached GoUo on
5Le Mincio and Immediately sought out his
lieutenant, who had been picked up, with a
broken arm, by our ambulance and who had
arrived there first. He was directed to
'hurch, where II field hospital had hastily
been installed. He went there. The church
was full of wounded, reclining OH two rows
If beds and mattresses stretched on the floor;
Two doctors and various assistants were
anxiously going and coming. and stifled
cries and groans were heard.
On entering the captain stopped and looked
about him, in search OF his officer Just then
he heard faint voice close by, calling to
him:
"Captain!"
He turned around; it the drummer
BOY; he was stretched on trestle bed COW
cred up to the chest by coarse window cur
tain with little red and white squares with
his arms OUT he was pale and thin but with
his eyes still sparkling, like two black gems
"Are you hereg" the captain asked him. in
an astonished, but stern manner "Bravo
Y ou did your duty"
81 did what | could" answered the drum
mer boy
"Uave you been woundedw said the can
tain, looking around for his officer in the bed
near by
"What would you havea" said the boy. VIII,
took courage to speak from the prond pleas
ure of being wounded for the first time. ant
without which he would not have dared t.
open his mouth in the presence of his captain
Il had to run like hunchback; they saw M
Immediately. | should have arrived invent,
minutes sooner if they hadn't hit me. For
tunately found a staff captain directly t,
whom to give the note. But it was har,
coming down after that lickl | was dyin,
Of thirst, kept thinking that l shouldn't ge
there, and was crying with rage to think tina
with every minutes delay some one wa
going 10 the other world, up there at tn
house. BAIL did what could | am con
tented But allow me, captain. Look a
yourself, you are bleeding"
In fact, from the captains badly bandage
palm few drops of blood were tricklin
l.wn his fingers.
DO you want me to tighten the bandage
captain2 Hold it out moment"
The captain held out his left hand, and pu
out his right to help the boy to undo all,
retle the knot; but 10 sooner had the bo'
raised himself from tho pillow than he grew
pale, and was compelled to rest his hea,
again.
Enough, enough" said the captain. lool,
ing at him and drawing away his bandace,
hand, which the boy wished to keep; "tak
care of yourself instead of thinking of others
because even slight things can become seriou
when they are neglected"
The drummer boy shook his head.
But you" said the captain, looking a
him attentively, "you must have lost a goot
eal of blood to bs as weak as that
lost much bloods" answered the boy. will
smile. "More than blood. Look!"
And with jerk he pulled off the covering
The captain stepped back Mortified
The boy had but one leg; his left leg hat
oeen aniputated above the knee and the stumI
vas bandaged with rags which were covered
with blood.
just then fat little army surgeon passed
in his shirt sleeves.
"Ah, captain" he said quickly, noddinl
ut the drummer boy, "that is an unfortunat,
case; leg which could have been saved
EASILY If he had not forced it in that mac
way; cursed Inflammation; it had to b,
cut off at once. Oh but a BRAY,
boy, assure you; he didn't shed a tear nol
inter cry! On my word of honor, l wa
proud that he was an Italian boy, while
was operating He comes of good stock, b,
Jovel'
And ne hurried away
The captain frowned, and looked intentl,
at the drummer boy, while drawing the GOV
ering over him again; then, slowly, almos
ilhous knowing it, and still looking at him
he raised his hand to his head and lifted hi
cap
"Captain" exclaimed the boy in sur
prise, "what are you doing, captain?-tt
mel"
And then that rough soldier. who hae
never said n pentIa word IN m iufar;o, 40