Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1893-07-07


in n long cloak and furry shake posted on
the top of the redoubt just above them and
thrown out in bold relief by the glow of
the campfire not many yards behind it.
Our friends were very still and cautious in
their movements, but one of them, by the
CLEAN of his bayonet probably, betrayed
himself to the Russian sentinel as he peered
down into the gloom, for the latter spoke
some works in his own tongue, challenging
them to declare themselves
"Confound tr muttered Sergeant East
erbrook half aloud, 1--WE have ventured too
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 bray
cry in staying to face the foe. But they
had already gone too far in their eagerness
to determine the position of the enemy's
lines, and no sooner had they turned to flee
than the sharp report of musket was
heard behind them. The sentinel had
aroused his comrades, and moment later
volley of balls was whistling through the
night air past the little English squad
"Oh, this is terriblel'' young Hilton said
breathless,y as he ran, 'if we should fall
like this, sergeant-to be shot from behind
i had rather go 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 so many men must go
down like corn before the reaper's scythe,
only to be regarded at headquarters as so
many casualties. He still thought that to
peril life and limb in other mems quarrels
was glory.
You must not go back, 4" the sergeant an
swered, with strange mixture of gentle
ness and authority. Il could not allow
you to do that. Every mans life that is
out here belongs to his country, and no
one has Il right to risk it rashly. They are
only firing wild-don't be afraid"
Pm not afraid-I-my Godl believe
| I'm hitl''
The 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 gov
ern the worlds history Hilton said he had
been struck, and Noel Easterbrook could
also feel that bullet had entered his 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 only 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 danger. BY
this time the weather had changed. The
wind had driven the snowclouds away, and
IL 81,
shedding her silvery light upon the foul
Englshmen struggling over the white
Crimean plain. They were still a long
way from their own camp-probably three
long, weary miles and more but they
were now in safety. Sergeant Easterbrook
called cut, "Haltl' and the others noted
with alarm the faint voice in which he
spoke the word. His fictitious energy had
given way at last, and with stiled groan
he sank down at the foot of great black
! gnarled tree Young Hiltons wound was
also overmastering his strength, and the
next moment his form, too, was lying IL
an inert mass upon the snowy ground
what is the matter, sergeantf" one Of
the other soldiers asked feelingly II did
not know you had been hit"
"Hit-yes, Dawes-here in the left side
it was foolhardy of me to have ventured Sc
far into their lines-and there is the pool
lad. Oh, Dawes, | am done forl''
mo, no; do not say that, sergeant. VIZ
will carry you back to camp all right be
tween us, won't we, Ryan, You will bt
out of tomorrow's fun, that is ALL"
Tomorrow! Yes; there will be no to
morrow for me-"
"Nonsensel You will be sent to the rear
that is all The old sawbones will put you
straight in no time. See, we will carry you
as gently as a nurse. Come on; give Us
your hand Ryan"
mo" Easterbrook answered in feeble
but decisive tone Leave me-"
Leave you? Well see you hanged
frstW Ryan said with rough good nature.
Look at the youngster-he is wounded
too. You surely don't think of leaving
him behind"
well, we are not going to leave vol
anyway We can come back for him.
"And find him dead"
1--WE must take our chances of that
These are not times to pick and choos
what we do. Come on, Ryan"
mo, say. Take young Hilton back t.
camp and leave me-"
Nor
But Sergeant Easterbrook, with a su
preme effort, now rose to his feet and sup
porting himself by the trunk of the tire
said in stern tone Of authority;
Are you commanding this squad or an
. II | say | will be obeyedl Take up tn
lad and carry him back to campp'
They yielded to the force of discipline
which is so strong as to become nearly a
/ instinct, and raised the half conscious forr
of Charlie Hilton. The latter understood
only dimly what was going on, or he hin
= self would have been the first to protes
against his friends heroic sacrifice
/ "Goodby, Charlie" the sergeant said. -
Ehant be able to keep my promise to you
t but when you get back to England te
' Mary Ashford that l, Noel Easterbrool
} did my poor little best to send you sal
home to herl''
r And as the two soldiers, with their bul
3 den, walked silently and sadly away owe
the white desert plain. Noel Easterbroo
= sank again heavily upon the ground an
e rolled over once-sank this time never I
rise or speak again.
g
q CborIas Hilton. ratu-nad eafa hon,a fr !