The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1892-01-14
THE DIsPATcH-BEARER.

The quo now shone 80 hercely bot on
tue l-tb Of August. 1877 -. that the birds
cfept uuder the sbsde Of the brusbwood
hich lined the tanks oi Otter Creek IN
the endesvor to screen tbemselyes from
the fsry orb Bot the beat seemingly bad
no effect npon man who stood npon 40
overturned Wagon which formed part Of
some bresstwoik iha, bad b en upreared
upon a knoll about five hundred yards
from the creek. He was shading his eyes
with bis hands ~ be looked earnestly
along a Trail which ran away to the South
east
No signs Of the troops yet he muttered,
ss be rubbed bis weary eyes; good heSv
ems another day like this and then
Bapel zipl rang out the report OF rlh''
and bullet buried itself in the wagon
bed.
A miss is IS good as mile, my beau
ties, said the soldier though Id prefer
the miie
Instantly from the hills that lay about
half mile to the westward OF the creek
came the report Of many rides, and show
er Of bullets uppleasantly close to the fool
hardy soldier, who now yielding to The en-
treaties Of his comrades. slowly descended
from the breastwork and entered the cor
raj Inside the corral h narrowing sight
met his eyes. In pit behind the hastily
thrown up parapet lay a number OF woun
ded men vainIy calling for water, water
the murmuring of which they could al
N ost hear as they lay there. suffering from
the agony OF thirst, augmented by the pain
OF their wounds.
So the day wore on. Twice the indians
had striven to carry the camp aud twice
had they been repnlsed. But Ool. Mack
knew full we'll that he could not possibly
bold out another day; bis garri was be
cominy weaker. his ammunition and ra
tiors we're running low, and The Indians
having received a reinforcement were be
coming bolder. The latter, also, taking
advantage Of the many wash outs ~hict
Jay between the hills and the camp. bat
approached within 400 yards and we're sui
jectipg it to most calling fire, some o.
the bullets even finding their way into th'
pit where the wounded lay.
Some one mus, go ard find the general
he muttered And yet ] do not care t
| detail man upon this dangerous service
| I'll ask Tor a volu nteer, and then it will b'
t, hard to decide among so gallant com
mand, aud smile OF pride curled up tb'
corners Of his mouth, for the colonel thon
eht-justly. perhaps that no bodyof mel
could equal bis. SO resolving, he walked
over to where the men were receiving thei
ra,ions OF one cracker and small slice o
bacon.
Ny lads, began the colonel IN his usua
quiet tone, il is necessary that 1 should
tell you the state OF affairs. Our ration
and am % uniiion cannot last us another ~
hours. II relief does not come before
o'clock to night it will be imperative 10
some one TO break through the enemy !
iioes and Try to reach the general. who
believe is encamped somewhere in Cach
creek. Now, | want volunteer Who'll
go? And as he finished. for an instant
s,illness fell upon the men, but was almo
Immediately broten by shrill, boyisl
voice, followed by the deep bass OF oil
Jack Jones.
| IN 20, colonel. they chorused. here
apsin, the owner OF the falsetto voic
spoke up: Let me go. colonel Jones ba
family; hau't, be concluded, as be ros
TO li. feet aud revealed the 1.-THE, sler de
form OF Willie Scott. the tfumpeier sn
liie OF the troop,
But. sir, broke in Jones, he is only
boy. lie, pe go. colonel.
But cir, again interrupted the boy. wit
what be thought an sll convincing srgu
ment, spoke first.
The colonel gfzed at the two u little, W
one a gray haired, brorzsdfsce veteran
the other with bis blue eyes wild with ei
ci,ement and an eager expression on b.
face that seemed to say. III get ther'
never fear. SO il was that the colonel de
ciioi on the lsiter.
Come to me at half pas, eight, my be,
he said, aud turning to old Jones he whi'
pered: Your chance may zone yet, NJ
brave fellow.
IA was a dsik, hot oppressive nigh
Not star could he seen, the black. hes'
Glands stretched themselves like Q pa
over the camp as the tiumpe,er. lesdiu
his horse. psssed through 40 opening
the b,esstwork and set Gu, upon bis PER-
on- ride.
Mind aud write TO my mother Pete, u
don't set through. be whispered TO b
comrsde a. be passed out
NGNtf ffbf. DhLtiFs '"f 49, -
comrsd,s Voice gre~ little hnssy' =
God .ske get through.
Inry. vas the response. as they 'qa'
zea esch others hsud sud parted,
Soon the watchers IN The camp lost ''s
q The boy. The sound Of his tofs-'s 10
grew fainter aud iainier then died asa
but sliIl tbsy lesued oy,t tbe bress'soi
s,raiued their eyes 10 the darantss ~ VI
tried TO catch 81 mpse oi their YOU
hero.
Nesrer aud 'nesrr the irunpeiet sppf'
ehea the Indisn ,eo,ihsls. Some tine
= would s,op. lis,ebiOs irt~pily, then mo
90. only TO stop sgsin std press bs ha
"a over his horses month when be isreied
|" heard . noise. suddeuiy confused b
bel broke cui upon bis right snd lni
glare sho, skyvsrd- Upon The brow Of