The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-04-20
CHAPTER ".


WITH ONE LEAP He WAS AT THE PRUs
SLAMS CHEST.
The Prussian columns were descend
ing from the heights that overlook
Woerth through the hop fields. Their
sombor masses advanced with perfect
regularity, as if they were on parade,
closing up the ranks us fast as enormous
gaps were made in them by balls from
the French batteries.
The zouaves, who had been fighting for
own, saw coming upon them these
clouds of Germans, against whom they
must still struggie-fresh troops sup
ported by formidable artillery. The
enemy were putting forward new re-
serves. The burned village of Woerth
was nothing but heap of rubbish,
whence rose towards the sky thick
clouds of dull smoke zigzagged by red
flames.
The two battalionso of the Third stole
ally awaited this avalanche that was
about to fall on them. Diminished by
good third, in battered uniforms, black
with powder, stained with blood and
greatly fatigued, the zouaves. with that
inexhaustible spirit which has contrib
uted as much as their bravery to the
fame that they have earned, exchanged
jokes, laughing with that nervous laugh
which is the forerunner of anger.
Bayardet was in front of his company,
of which he had taken the command, the
captain having been disabled. Sid was
lying on his belly, his nose between his
paws and seemingly asleep.
The fire had ceased on both sides, as
If French and Germans were DESTROYS of
taking breath before the final shock.
But the calm was not Of long duration.
A sharp hiss rent the air, soon followed
by a report; q shell had just fallen into
the left of Bayardet's company, Telling
few men; then another, then ten--a ter
rible storm beat upon the zouaves. The
French cannon, stationed upon the hill
side opposite, answered. The bugles
sounded Lie down" a few minutes
passed, and the pointed helmets, which
had been invisible for moment-for the
Prussians had had to cross valley not
very wide, but deep--rose again at a dis
lance of seven or eight hundred yards.
A furious firing began, and then came
the order:
''Charge bayonetslp
This cry started the zouayes, who
rushed forward with lowered heads. In
before them; the enenar s ranks, thinued
already by the musketry, were broken.
The Prussians fed at full speed, either
toward the village or through the hop
fields. But two nitrailleuses stopped the
rush of the French, who were even forced
to retrace their steps. The Prussians re-
formed their lines, and the musketry was
resumed with still greater intensity.
Twice again the zouayes charged, and
twice they stopped the enemy. But deci-
mated and without hope of aid except
from few companies of the line, the
zouaves had to fall back toward the
wooded heights that overlook the plain.
The Prussians steadily advanced, utter
ing loud hurrahs and brandishing their
guns over their heads after each dis
charge.
Almost all the officers were killed or
wounded sergeants were in command
of companies. Bayardet had not been
hit He had picked up gun and was
fling coolly, methodically, his counte-
nance as imperturbable as ever. Above
the ranks, and not far from Bayardet, the
tricolor, torn by the bullets, was floating
amid thesmolse. The young sub-lieuten-
ant who carried it, having had his right
arm pierced, grasped the staff in his left
hand and held ii tightly against his
breast. He was seen TO sink upon his
knees and then roll over, his head broken
by ball. A sub-oficer seized the flag;
he fell in his turn. Then captain took
the sacred emblem.
Just then went up a cheer more furious
than all the preceding ones; the Prussians
were charging.
The zouayes massed themselves and
battalion commander ordered them to
form square. But this order, necessi-
tated by the onrush Of the enemy, which
threatened to enyelop the French troops,
could not be carried out. The combat
ants met with cut and thrust, and the
Whole mass was in furious confusion.
Tho zouaves had had their ranks broken.
but they held together in groups, while
the body Of the regiment tried to take
position little farther off in order to re-
form.
Lieutenant! Lieutenant The fag.'
cried s zouave to Bayardet.
The latter saw fall, at ten PAGES dis
lance, upon heap OF corpscs. the flag
still held in the hand, clenched in death,
OF young corporal of his company.
Bayardet dropped his gun, the bayonet
red with blood, drew his saber and seized
the flag. calling his men around him.
There were only fifteen of them
"Vive la France!' cried Bayardet, wav-
ing the standard.
Thirty Prussians rushed upon the
group, and desperate hand to hand
struggle. with bayonets and stocks, was
engaged in SO violently that in a moment
the combatants had slaughtered each
other.
Bayardet. almost alone, took few
steps in fight with the purpose OF saving
the dag. A German, who pressed him