Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-02-18

Not "a bad place 90 make a stand in,'
he said, as lac rode mp 20 the big, square,
empty wooden building whose few mar
row windows seemed mere Sits In It's
weather.bcaton siles.
"lf they don't burn the shanty over
our heads" Fulton added, with a shrug
OF the shoulders.
There was moreover the additionalpro-
lection Of strong board-fcncc running
round II, which Frank eyed with salts
faction. The guards were set, the men
flung themselves with arms beside them
on the floor, 10 snatch what little rest
they could, and silence settled on the
grim old edilicc.
Nature in changing mood had swept
the clouds from the sky, and young
moon silvercd the tiny stream that
meandcrcd across the little plain that
separated them from. the woods.
Three weary hours passed and no
signs OF the enemy. Then the sharp
crack of a muskct from the outer-picket,
and the garrison was on the alert.
Like wolves rushing on sheep, the dar-
ing crowd Of gucrrillas dashed to the as
sault. knowing well that they had
nearly three mon ~ every one of the
hated Yanks. II was motley troop,
composed Of irregulnrs with some fifty
soldiers who had escaped from Morgan's
command, when they had been routed
after his raid In Northern Kentucky,
and who now had joined their fortunes
with these reckless Frec-Lances.
A shower OF bullets from the barri-
cade Of the fence checked their first at
tack. They had never met the men Of
the Fighting Fourth before, and hardly
anticipated so warm welcome. So,
recovering from their surprise, they
formed in better order, and once moro
cssaycd 10 scale the slight obstruction
which this time yielded TO their fury,
and the Union men, with little loss,
were driven within the building. Here
Franks sharpshootcrs did noble work,
picking off the leaders Of their nssail-
ants with deadening accuracy Of aim.
keep cool, men, and don't waste
your lead" the young Major cried.
"Let every bullet have its billet"
~ can't make swell speeches like the
Major can" shouted Charlie, but I
can tell you, boys, that II you don't kill
hem-why. darn II, they'll kill you'
A CLEAN Of fire from the narrow win
dows answered the appeal.
But the rear side Of the building had
no windows, and save the cracks the
men had found in the boards no loop
holes through which n muslet-barrcl
could he thrust. Here Frank antici-
patcd his worst danger, nor was he de-
ccived.
major, they are gathering brush Mt
the back and firing the building" q
private cried.
Alas. It was too true. Even as the
man spoke sitting cloud OF smoke
filed the place, more dense, perhaps,
because the wood was wet from the
storm and refused 20 burn freely. ~
ill-luck would have It. too, the light
night breeze camr from this very quar-
ter It was desperate strait. With
out were raging those bloodthir5ty
: hcnds, who, unlike the chivalrou
! Southern soldiers. seldom gave m
enemy quarter; within the air each In
slant became more and more unbreath
, able. A horse. too, naddcned by the
smell of fire, had broken loose, and they
/ were Obliged % shoot him To prevent
, his trampling on the wounded.
"Shall we make IN assault, Major?'
: Charlie asked. rs cool as though he wa
, on parade
. "lIow can wc?" Ecsant groaned, fol
4 the thought Of his gallant men perish
/ ing like rats in trap cut him 10 thu
a quic',. THAT narrow door. the only
3 cgrcss, would only permit us to rusl
r out In line SO thin that the boys woult
}, be slaughtered like sheep in n pen"
D "iiut We shoull die Rghting, and mo-
a be cholScd 70 death by this infcrna
}, atmosphere"
Q ~ flag Of truce and surrender Is al
B. see for IL, Charlie" was the dolcfu
J. answer. There Is one chance in
f. thousand they might respect it,"
K "Thcn, let me bear II, Quick, or
. shall stilc.'
There was no alternative.
" you'll tell the old man did my dut
TO the last Fulton said, as he graspe
Franks hand.
,, 81 am as little likely TO see you
:. father again as you are" was the ga
IL reply.
q Quick as fash the door is openc
I, and Fulton advances with white han'
y, kerchief waving in the air.
DO those rough hordcs stay the
m hands at the Tutoring symbol Of peace
s. Not soi with yell of derision the