The Springdale news., 1889-01-04

surely, we were falling back. though tried my very best to rally my boys, my company being well ahead of the rest of the regi- ment. They were made of the right stuff, those lads from our village, and would have stayed as long as there was half q chance of holding their own. l tried to infuse some enthusiasm into the fellows and became somewhat reckless. Sword in hand 1 ran ahead of the lines, yelling at the top of my voice for tho men 10 "Comc onn' Instead of !" coming on they were falling back and 1 found myself twenty yards away from my men. Of course was a mark for the rcbs, who were firing pretty lively. Down came my sword-arm. and, at the same time, felt stinging sensaio in my cheek, while a third bullet in my leg brought me to the ground.
 1 was not dangerously wounded, but I thought my last moments were very close, for 1 knew that the rebel cavalry was very near, ready to swoop down upon our re- treating boys. l could hear the thud of their horses ho0fs as theg commenced their gallop. l thought of Madeline and my two eurlY-heads at home, and waited for tho worst.
 1 felt shocll-but not from trampling steeds; I was being lifted in strong arms, and stout legs were running with me as hard as they could go. IL was Chump, who had picked me up
 Perhaps 1 was not quite SC selfish in those days as had been in years gone by; at any rate, remember telling Chump to drop me and save himself But lie wouldn't do it, and said, very short: Shut your mouth, Cap"
 But Chump was too slow for the horses. The cavalrymen were upon us, and one fel- lew yelled to Chump to drop me and surren- der. Whether he heard or not, l can not say; but he continued to run, and one of the rebs put pistol-ball through him, while another gave him nasty cut on the head with his sword.
 Even then Champ seemed to think of me, for he dropped me. quite gently on the ground, and then lightly threw himself full length on top of mo. Why? To save me from the cruel hoofs as the horses galoped past and orrr us. A few minutes later al was quiet lay there stuff and thirsty while Champ who had slipped from off me on the ground, lay IS still as one dead. thought he teds dead.
 The stars came out and 1t must have beer near midnight, yet noSe of the hospital peo- pie had reached us yet. heard d groan. II was Chump. 'sChump, is that you, old fel 
 l waited for g few moments, and spoke again. Chump, can you speal1,"
 was in much pain, but 1 managed to drag myself q fSw inches so that my face was immediately over his. bent my ear to his mouth and then ] heard d few faint words. You are not hurt much, Capsn
 ''No, not seriously, Chump. But wish to God the ambulance would come quickly and pick yoE I'D. Are you in much pain. -
 ''No. No paints too bas for that shall be gone ia fcW minutes Charlie, loved her, and l laved Yod, boy You needn't tell her any thing about ttte first, but let her know l loved yo.., old man, and-you might-tell-her abodt-to piohte'
 Il shall tell her all aboutlt, Ghnmp. God bless you, old fellow. You've been too good to me-
 More stars camc out, and the stiffness oi night and of death on that battlefield was awful. Agan Chump spoke:
 Put your hand - in = mlnc = Charlie Youit-leiI-hrr Good ="
 But he never said good 3ve.n And Mad. cline aad l, the older We grow, thlnb more and more that sg8od-bHr7 WIS unnecessary. For with us, Ghump is ever present, and sometimes we fee! certain that we shall see our good friend again. when We can tell him how we have. through all these years, loved and honorcd his memory
 w. II. s. ATKINSON.