Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-10-15

arms were to maintain their p,wef
in Asia.
1t was st the close of long day'a
weary fight before Candahar The
cannon had ceased, and the night had
fallen at last--the blessed night, well
come alike to victor and vanquished.
which covers the many horrors of Il
battlefield. The weary soldiers re-
entered the city, now secure la hold
ing it, aud worn with the toll of the
day sank down to rest
Out on the plains beyond the walls
lay many a stalwart form, clad in
the Mackenzie tartan, then the dis
tinctlve dress of the Seventy-second
Highlanders. 1t is a beautiful blue
and green plaid, crossed with fine
white lines, which become conspicu
ous when it is kilted.
"when the boys are moving, said
an old Highlander, 'they seem to be
passing needless through light
snowfall" Needless of danger, they
had pressed on to the front; and that
is why 80 many lay out under the
stars.
And where was Pat2 The question
was going round among those who
had seen Mcpherson carried off the
field after Drawing death again and
again to keep the colors flying. An
Afghan's knife had pierced his right
arm and bullet had torn his right
hand cruelty yet he had held the
flag in the wounded hand with the
viselike strength of desperation, and
cut his way through the ranks of the
enemy with his left hand till the
colors were safe.
Many had seen him fall at the head
of the line. faint from the loss of
blood and agony. The colonel him
self. it is said. had gone TO his bed
side, had expressed his anxiety for
his life and muttered something of
lin the dispatches. Mcpherson, if
he lived, might hope for the v. G.
To be sure he had given his right
hand to his country; it would never
be useful again. But no one said
much of that just then.
After this story had been told
briefly and without comment, as be-
comes soldiers tale, the question
was repeated concerning Pat. He
had been seen at intervals through
the day up to the time his master
was first wounded. Then ali trace
of him was lost.
"lIe must have been tramplcd to
death, the poor wee beast" they said.
The night passed. The morning
came, and when the surgeon went
upon his early round he found by
the side of the brave color sergcant's
bed small bundle of muddy white
substance, emitting low noans. He
stopped to examine it, when Jem
called out eagerly in shaken voice:
ut is Pat, sir lie is badly hurt, l
think. De lood enough to look at
him first would net lose him for
my other Aand. But for him I'd be
out yondci Gu the elound. Don't let
him suffer, sir twas he saved the
flag. I'll tell you just the way Of it
when you've time to stop a bit"
Meanwhile the skillful doctor had
found the broken bones, anl, stelnly
bidding Mcpherson not to speak
again, set and spliiitcred poor Pats
broken paw iii short ORDER, while
the faithful animal bore it as heroic
ally as only dog can, licking the
ministering hands gratefully and
fervently ct the close.
There was also wound III the side
An usly cut, clottcd and stiff; this
also the humane surgeon hastily
dressed
Pat recovered fast. He was soon
limpi.is about, and was fully well,
and piotslbly had forgotten his pat
in the .,Ieat day before his story was
told to his fellow herol j.. Aud this
was the story:
Jem, bearing tho colors in his LETT
hand, and with his bayonct well ad-
vanced in his right, was struck by q
Dilll w IllCli lol0 Oil tWO VI LIE li.iSS .
and compelled him to drop his
weapon. Quick as thought no forced
the staff of colors upon the wounded
stump and seized the sword of q
fallen enemy in his left hand.
He was not quick enough, how
ever. An immense Afghan, seeing
his defenseless condition, had leaped
upon him and lifted his terrible knife
for the fatal blow, when Pats teeth
closed decisively upon the calf of the
Asiatic's leg
The sudden, sharp pain so un-
nerved the man that he missed his
aim, and the swinging blade fell only
upon Jem's uplifted arm, not upon
his head. Jem rose slowly and witt
difficulty, while the enraged Afghan
turned upon his smaller enemy, who
hung upon his flesh with the double
devotion of u pug to his master and
a bulldog to his prey, and bent to deal
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