The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-02-24

In another moment they were cut
| ting across to meet them.
Billy was riding length or two in
front, and bis jaded horse pulled up of
his own accord as he neared the ap.
preaching riders. The Sowar saluted
and remained stoldly immovable in
the background. Both men and horses
were cIked with dust, and wore weary,
defect, air.
We're bringing in James all right,
sir" answered Billy in response TO the
colone's que>tioning gesture. But
we had fight - Ghazis, this side
Khunaz. Hamerton's badly wounded.
I've come on for a doctor; his only
chance. The black fellow bolted who
was looking after James. Can the
doctor go at once, sir? This Sowar
wants fresh horse, that's all"
After word or two with the COM
mandant the doctor sped toward camp
with the Sowar at his heels. H. paused
for moment by the side of Billy aud
looked him in the face.
&C shall be under way in ten min
utes," he said. "Look here, old fell
low, you've had about enough; 90
home aud turn in" He was struck by
The look of agony and mental strain on
the boys face.
After that the colonel got very few
words out of him. He saw that the
Joung fellow was done up, and ques-
toned him little. His mouth was
parched so that he could with difficulty
articulate. His strong young figure
was bowed over the horses neck AS
they were nearing camp the doctor
with his escort rode out, and called
back some cheering words to him.
Five minutes later they were out of
sight.
Once within camp limits the colonel
dismounted, and giving his horse over
to a syce, walked beside the young off
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 it slacken
within his grasp, and looking up b,
saw that Billy was Keeling in his sad
die, and that his lips were boodless.
ell think I'm DONE" he muttered
feebly, and fell sideways off his horse
into the colonel'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 little brave,
distorted smile.
"Hold hardl" he gasped. q think
I've got bullet somewhere, and
and-my arms smashed"
why, hang it," groaned the colonel ,
laying him gently down, and looking
around upon the circle of horror-stricken
faces, he knew this, and he has sent
away the doctorl"
1t was some weeks before Major
Hamerton was able to tell the story Of
Lieutenant Thompson's heroic conduct (;
how when he himself was wounded and
at the mercy of the murderels the
young officer defended him single
handed; how afterward he pushed on
into Khunaz and brought out James Of
he police more dead than alive, and
how. finally, while concealing the fact
hat he had been shot in the right ann
he rode forty miles to get a doctor, and
thus for the second time saved the
majors life.
II was longer still, though, before
Billy was out of danger. The wound
had set up Inflammation and fever from
over exerlion and the long time that
had OF necessity elapsed before skilled
care could be bestowed upon it, and
for weeks it was feared it would &C
hard with Billy.
But in the end the harum-scarum
young devil" got well, and the cJlonel
had the pleasure of sending up "Con.
fidential Report of a very superior
kind, together with brilliant pendant
which has resulted in the bestowal OF
the much coveted Victoria Cross upon
Lieutenant William Thompson of Ours
-Vanity Fair.