The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-08-23

I along right under the very Notifications
OF the enemy, noting the direction of
the lines and each point either ofstrength
or of weakness, 50 far as it was possible
TO observe them in the gathering gloom.
I At last they turned a corner and found
themselves suddenly right beneath a tall
figure in long cloak and furry shake.
posted on the top Of the redoubt just
above them and thrown out in bold re-
lief by the glow Of the campfire not
many yards behind it. Our
friends were very still and cautious in
their movements, but one ofthem, by the
CLEAN of his bayonet, probably, betrayed
himself to the Russian sentinel as he
peered down into the gloom, for the lat
ter spoke some words in his own tongue,
challenging them to declare themselves.
"Confound it," muttered Sergeant
Easterbrook halfaloud, we have yentur-
ed to far-right into the lions den-we
must turn tail, boys, and run for our very
lives till We are out Of gunshot. That is
the best sort of courage that We can show
now"
They accordingly all four turned and
ran at full speed, for since their object
was to obtain information there WAS no
real bravery in staying 10 face TO foe.
But they had already gone too far in
their eagerness to determine the position
ofthe enemy's lines, and no sooner had
they turned to flee than the sharp report
! of a musket was heard behind them.
The sentinel had aroused his comrades
and a moment later a volley of balls was
whistling through the night air past the
little English squad.
"Oh, this is terrible" young Hilton
said breathlessly as he ran, 'if we should
fall ike this, sergeant-to be shot from
behind-I would rather 90 back and face
them
The young fellow doubtless fondly i'm
agined that the eyes of all Europe were
upon him Individually, and had not yet
come to learn that 50 many men must
go down like eo.a bes0se the reaper's
scythe, only to be regarded at head
quarters as 50 msny casualties. He still
thought that to peril life and limb in
other mems quarrels was glory.
"You must not go back, the sergeant
answered with a strange mixture of gen
tleness and authority. - could nOta al
low you 10 90 that. Every mans life
that is out here belongs to his country,
and no one has a right to risk it rashly
They are only firing wild-don't be
afraid"
~Pmnot afraid-I-my God believe
Tm hit :"
Tie sergeant, Notwithstanding his ex-
perience, had indeed been mistaken
He knew that the Russian soldiers could
not have taken accurate aim in the dark,
but he did not allow for the fatalities of
chance-those terrible chances which
govern the worlds history. Hilton said
he had been struck, and Noel Elsier-
brook could also feel that bullet had
entered has body, but still they both
kept on bravely as long as they could.
Here in the cold, silent night the lust Of
battle was not upon them, there was on
ly the mute desire Of wounded beasts
which would fain be at rest away from
! their pursuers.
They had now crossed the frozen
stream and were safe from further dan
ger. By this time the weather had chang
ed. The wind had driven the snow
clouds away, and from steely, b.ue sky,
the moon was shedding her silver light
upon the four Englishmen struggling
over the white Crimean plain. They
were still long way from their own
camp-probably three long, weary miles
and mOre-but they were now in safety
Sergeant EasterbrOok called out, "Halt ~
and the others noted with alarm the faint
voice in which he spoke the word. His
ictious energy had given way at last,
and with stihed groan he sank down
at the loot Of gres., black, gnarled tree.
Young Hiiton's wound was also over
mastering his strength, and the next mo-
ment his form, too, was lying in an inert
mass upon the snow covered ground.
"What is the matter, sergeant ?" one
Ofthe other soldiers asked feelingly. y
did not know you mad been hit"
'Ilit-yes. DAwes-here in the left
side-it was foolhsrdy of me to have ven
tured SO far into their lines and there
is the poor lad. On. Dawes, am done
for"
''No, no, 90 not say tha., sergeant. We
will carry you back to camp all right be-
tween Us, won't we Ryan? You will be
out of to-morrow's fun, that's all"
Tomorrow Yes; there VIII be no
tomorrow Spr me-"
"NoDsense You will be sent to the
rear, that Is all The old sawbones viii
put you straight in no time. See, we will
carry you as gently as a nurse. Come
on; give US your hand, Ryan"
"No." EAster5rook answered in fee
bic but decisive tone. Leave me-"
Leave you? Wen see you hanged
frstl" Ryan said with rough good ma
ture.
Look at the youngster-he is wound
ed too. You surely don't think Of leAv-
ing him behind"
swell, we are not going 10 leave you
anyway. We can come back for him.
"And find him dead -
"we must take our chances Of that.
These are not times to pick and choose
what We do. Come on, Ryan"
"No, say. Take young Hilton back
to camp and leave me-"
'.Nor"
But Sergeant Easterbrook, with a su
preme effort, now rose TO his feet, and
supporting himself by the trunk OF the
tree said in a stern tone OF authority:
Are you commanding this squad or
am II say 1 viii be obeyed Take up