The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1891-10-30
IN another moment they we're cut

4u 6uOtuer b00y were CUT
ting across to meet them.
Billy was riding q length or two In
'front.' and his jaded horse pulled
up Of its own accord as he neared the
approaching riders The Sowar sal
uted. and remained stolidly immova-
BILE in the back ground. Both men
and horses were caked with dust and
wore q weary. detected air.
We're bringing in James all right,
sir. answered Billy in response to the
c%olonel's questioning gesture. s.But
re had a fight-Ghazis. this side Khu-
naz. Hamerton's badly wounded.
I've come on for the doctor; his only
chance. The black fellow bolted who
was looking after James. Can the
doctor go at once sirp This Sowar
wants a fresh horse, that's ALL"
After a word or two with the CON-
mandant, the doctor sped toward camp
with the Sowar at his heels. He
paused for a moment h. the side OF
Billy. and looked him in the face.
Il shall be under way in ten min
utes," he said. Look here, old fell
low. you've had about enough; go
home and turn in.n He was struck by
the look of agony and mental strain
on the boys face.
Once within camp limits the colonel
dismounted, and, giving his horse
over TO u syce. walked beside the young
officers horse with his hand on its
neck. Several fellows came up with
greetings and congratulations.
Come straight to mess and have
something to drink before you tell US
anything" said the colonel, taking
hold of the horses bride as he spoke.
At the same moment he felt 1T slacken
within his grasp. and looking up he
saw that Billy was reeling in his
saddle. and that his lips we're blood.
less.
IL think I'm done, he muttered
feebly, and fell sideways off his horse
into the coloneI's arms.
They carried him over to the mess
and began taking off his military
great coat. Then something made
him open his eyes, and his face took 6
llptic OIStSo olSGOEtSu SLlllC.
Hold hard" he gasped; Il think
I've got a bullet somewhere, and-an6
my arms smashed"
why. d-n it," groaned the colonel.
laying him gently down, and looking
round upon the circle of horror-stricke
faces. The knew this. and he has sem
away the doctor!"
1t was some weeks before Mai.
Hamerton was able to tell the story o.
Lieut. Thompson's heroic conduct
how when he himself was wounded
and at the mercy of the murderers,
the young officer defended him single.
handed; how afterward he pushed or
into Khunaz and brought out Jane.
of the police more dead than alive.
and how. finally. while c%oncealing the
fact that he had been shot in the righ'
arm. he rode forty miles in to get the
doctor, and thus for the second time,
saved the majors life.
II was longer still though before
Billy was out of danger. The woua.
had set up Inflammation and fevel
from over exertion, and the long tim,
that had of necessity elapsed befor,
skilled care could be bestowed upol
it, and for weeks it was feared it would
go hard with Billy.
But in the end the '.harum-scarun
young devil' got we'll. and the colone
had the pleasure OF sending up a Con
fidential Report" of a very superlo
kind. together with a very brillian
pendant, which has resulted.in the be
stowal of the much coveted Victori
Cross upon Lieut.. William Thompson
J of Ours.-Vanitv Fair.