Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-04

meadow. in which here and there tufts of
long, rank grass grew.
Here he drew rein, struck. callous soldier
though he was, at the magnificent sight
which met his ewes. And he saw his whole
regiment of the First Prussian Dragons
ride past him northeastwards. Each man of
il calm, erect in his saddle, they rode as If
on parade along the front OF the enemy, who
fired upon them. The fifth squadron rode
first, then the third, then the first. And
then only, and not till then, did the situa-
ton, ana the whole purpose of the move
mept become clear to every one For
scarcely had the last squadron become ex-
tricated from the difficult ground when the
word front" rang out, followed immedi-
ately BY "gallop." When this word
":ront" was given, Avantaguer Non-com-
missioned Officer Won Ronheim was right
be ore his squadron.
The French stood amazed. Their
skirmishers ran back or threw themselves
on the ground. Their rear ranks crowded
together into groups. Hotter and hotter be-
came the rapid firing; more incessant the
grcwl of the mitrallleuse. Trumpet calls
blared over the field, and then dust and
smoke and fire Tapped this crack regiment
round as it charged an army.
When the signal Front" was given,
Avaatageur Won Ronheim was right before
his squadron. He galloped turiOusly, with
teeth set and fingers clenched on his sword.
He saw Count Wesdehlen riding immedi'
ately on his left; he saw several files In the
first squad already missing; he saw the
trumpeter riding on the Counts right, his
face very white, his hand with the bugle in
it swaying 10 the ever acceleraring gallop.
And there, right in front-their red trousers
seen very clearly amid patches OF rank
green grass-interminable masses of the
French infantry, kneeling, STOPPING, rally
ing into squares, throwing themselves Oh
their faces, but always, always, as it seemed,
pouring into that dauntleSs advance muir
derous fusilade.
At about so PAGES from the bayonets Ron
helm felt an abominable shock in mis- left
ankle. He looked down and saw his loot
hanging loosely. and his heel where his toe
should have been. A moment afterward he
was among the enemy. slashing right and
left Observation-Disclosures till borne on
ward, onward, in the irresistible impetus
of this death ride-onward to the purpose
assigned. Before that purpose was reached,
strange glimpses OF the battle peered in upon
him, starting out of the smoke, and disap-
pearing into it as suddenly again. Tight
ened white faces of boys, betraying neither
tear nor rage, but astonishment simply,
as with almost a mechanical action
of the drill-ground, they thrust up at
him with their bayoneJs as he rode upon
them. Then the grim, Drowned face OF
veteran, who showed his gums as he re-
ceived the Germans point in his heart; the
plunging of screaming, disabled horses; the
slim figure OF French officer, who turned
suddenly with a venomous smile and
snapped a revolver; then, amidst dust and
smoke, wounded men crawling on hands anu
knees out OF the press-a hundred impress
sions efdced as soon as seen, in that ever
thic6ening pail OF battle through which he
was borne onward, ever onward, to the
end!
Lis sword was broken now, though be
did not know, and his mares limping gal
lop told him that she was wounded. He
seemed to be separated from his mpanions;
but as he rode blindly onward, ever onward,
be seemed, though seeing fewer of the en-
emy in front of him. TO be getting every
moment more and more into horrible rifle
FIRE. A shot from the right grazed his left
wrist, and tore the reIns from his hands.
He grasped at them with his right hand,
but Ut the same moment his mare sank down
on her launches Another stunning abom-
Unable blow struck him above the knee,
seeming to paralYze the leg, and immedi-
atelv afterward before his staring eyes a
crowd OF bayonets bristled Deienseless in
the ace OF death Won Ronheim closed his
eyes. But at a sympathetic touch of 4
gloved hand be looked up and saw pro-
tective arm raised and a French officer
looking into his face pathetically. This
French officer was tall, handsome, aqui-
line-ieatured man, who stood unruffied and
unst3ined-his mustache waxed as Ii for a
social Unction; his white gloves fitting mis-
small hands per ectly. This exquisite in
battle looked at his helpless foe admiringlv.
And smiling a little he said to him, speak
ing in German.
well, my brave fellow, your ride has
come to an end, it seems" Won Ronheim
stared at the speaker stupidity.
When ones weapons gone, ones eour-
age goes, too, 4" he said, bluntly.
"Oh, says the Frenchman, still smiling.
81 am not so sure of that" The only
weapon which ne carried was a small walk
ing cane.
But let US see to our wounds" he went
on. and bent over the fallen man tenderly
"Oh!' he said, looking at the wound above
the knee. 1--WE do not bleed like this tor
nothing. We have an artery touched here,
1 perceive.
leave me to die" groaned Ronheim.
"On the contrary, my brave fellow" said
the Frenchman. He knelt as be spoke, and,
drawing bandages from his pocket, bound
them with practiced surgeons hands so
firmly above and below the wound as to
check the fatal flow. ''Sir, thank you,"
says Bonheim. 'But you had best leave
me to die" The Frenchman rose from his
task
"On the contrary, my friend, while that
handage Is about your knee 1 leave YOU to
live! To live and TO do vet drawer deeds"-
he bowed low and drew off his men, smiling
pleasautly:-''to live and to do yet braver
deeds"