The Irish standard., 1889-04-27

tine to meet the returning cavalry. Tbs
cavalry reported that the enemy wert
strongly posted beyond the first farm
house.
Iuke's company, with the cavalry, were
deploved as skirmishers, and ordered to adj
vance until they came upon the enemy.
After q few words Of encouragement 70
his men they descended to the valley and
deployed. 4,.
Fences were thrown down, and through
the fields, woods, pastures ana naeaoo"s
thew began to advance.
Luke halted in corntield oelo" noose
tn reconnoiter. His forces extended or
either side Of him and but three or -four
men were in sight. The old farmhouse os
his right had a peaceful, quiet and nome.
like look. The great dark-green Stalks o.
corn rose up on every side, the blades aho
rich stalks forming jungle lmpenehIsSole
tn the eve Busy bees were droWsuy NUN
ming about from vine to vine, among bhs
corn or lighting on the heavy pods o. TUE.
rine beans A sunflower turned its bola
face to the king Of light, and shred OF gola
upo,1 the tall stalk marks where butterfly
fingers unconscious Of danger. Inc Aanos
are bleating il the far-of pastures, ana ths
gentle lowing Of cattle on the distant nils
reaches the ear OF the soldier, ana seen
naddening when he conternplates Whaois
soon to follow.
There are no signs of carnage, but every
thing betokers the peace and repose ct
delightful Sabbath MORN Luke moves Oh
from the cornfeld into a peach orchard.
The trees seem grooming under their oof.
den of luscious fruit. He could not reslsE
the Temptation to pick up one OF Inc greai
r:ne peaches which fell at his feet and eas
it, it, e'''0-'~~
Their line. which is now visible soma d!s'
lance either way, he was glad to see was
unbroken. The hungry soldiers were sie'
| vouring the peaches, many or them prooa'
bly, taking their last meal.
A white puff Of smoke issued irom Una
fence below the orchard. The enemy neg
at last been found. Another, announcer, ah&
another shot rang out
"steaay, don't shoot until you see your
man" cried the Captain. The firing
seemed to come from q bunch Of tall weeds
| and grass down under the hill. Steadily
| the liue Of sllirmjs hers cra;wleu forward
| straiuing their eyes for a sight OF the enc
nv. 4 fiful shot, and the bullet whizzing
through the branches OF the tree above
| Lulzes head brought down half Dozen
rosy-cheelzed peaches aud & shower OF
! leaves. Luke knew the shot Was aimed at
| hir0.
| III see the skJn. evhn SHOT at you. Cap"
| said Arkansaw Tom, mj2o Was but q few
feet on Lukes left: ''shali fix 'i1n''
"Of course, Tom, ii an e1lemy's Ill sight
try your skill'
! Arkansaw tooh step aside and iaid his
| long rifle by the side Of a peach tree. 4
| moment later there came q shar.5 report,
followed by yell from the tall erase
and rosin weeds, and man spcan& hais
wav to his feet and fell Back kicking and
struggling.
Slot after shot rang along the s>lsirtrlish
lines, and the bullets whisted like hail
among the trees.
! s1,ie low: keep close to the groundr' said
Lake.
| Skirrnishers soon learn ti1at art The,
| firing became general, and in lew mo-
1nents the enemy began to fall back That
uneasy dread which possessed every nsan
| at first disappeared as the enemy began TO
fall back, and with wild yells the skirmisn-
ers pressed on.
Fearing the consequences OF hurting e
slxirmish line against line of battle, LLls5
ordered "a halt. Not over ons-half obeyed,
and the others, with the cavalry, dashed
pell mel upon this enemy. Wnc1A they FOUND
in solid phalanx 10 q field just beyond Ihs
orchard fence. a vollsy like g thunaerclap
shook tine earth. streWing TIC groAaa Wata
dead and dying men and horses. Ihe sur
yiyors tlcd, and Captain Mason had all hs'
could do to preventa PANE hu1 ae ~ iass
checked the Aeaiiong fight Of The nloash lI1i'
,,otuc,ls. and the firing was resumed at long
range.
Crouching close to the grounl the skar"
roishers ccept to the ienceand opened tire on
the rebels, who returned it, ana. nuuasa
whizzed like hail about them.
~ swow, Cap'n, we can't stand tAfs
long," said Ar11ansaN Tom, who was crouch
ing in fence corner on IluEe's left "Were
a fghtin' the hull bilin' o. 'eui.''
The Captain was about to give the oroef
to fall back, vixen he heard the steatorlan
voice of Colonel Smart in their rear shout:
con the right Try file into line, an be go
dinged quick ai,out itF'
Like veterans the new recruits whetled
nobly into line and advanced to the 1e1ca
row. In a moment both lines Of battle were
wrapt in fame and smoke Whistling
shots, dying groans, the cries Of tho
wounded and the shouts OF the colubatan:a,
ming led with the incessant rattle OF small
arms, aWed all peaceful sounds OF nature 10
| silence.
The Union forces seemed reused to g.
pitch Of enthusiasm bordering unto frenzy.
Their only hope was to break through ;oe
enemy's ranks and press on to Cairo. Tho
rabels. astounded and dislnayed at the v!gor,
GUS assault from force whose numness
they had ali along undsrestimated, gave
way and began retreat, which threatened
to be panic.
A small body of Confederate cavalry wsa
seen to turn off to the left and enter %
grove of trees about one mile from the con-
fict. Captain Mason at once suggested to-
Colonel Smart the plan Of cutting them off,
and the Colonel falling mto the idea de.
tailed him at the head Of fifty mounted
men to do the work. Though Luke was an
,nfantrymar it was an easy matter to
transfer him to the cavalry, an extra norge
was all that was required.
| Away they went at g gallop down lane,
circing about a. wheattield, coming up tc
the grove where the Confederates had Laen
seen to enter. Without any precautions,
however, they plunged pell nell into the