The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-09
MADAME GARVAH

uurown ont and went spurring up the
slope as If determined TO reap all the glory
OF victory itself. Seeing it coming, the
scouts, who were now well on, struck spurs
TO their horses. and a fierce thrill of eX
pectation vibrated through the main body
as il, too, quicllened its pace IL was going
to be exceedingly awkward for the foe ly
ing unconscious on the other side of the
billow. That was as clear as the sun that
tanned in the heavens.
The scouts were ridiIo their hardest, and
in another minute would he on the top.
AS they neared the ridge we held our breath,
the whole army seeming to pause for a sig
nal. The scouts lay flatter and flatter on
their horses necks, and the dust rose in a
denser line behind them. Presently they
halted, as il appeared, very abruptly. Had
they discovered the lurking foe? The solid
mass below gave a great united gasp that
was a the sough Of the wind in a forest
and waited with palpitating hearts.
The stoppage, however, was a mere pre-
caution, for two or three of the scouts,
slipping from their saddles and flnging
their reins 10 their comrades, hurried for
ward on foot, bending low as they ran.
The army below looked up painting like
hounds on the leash. y deep murmur
rumbled on the air, swelled into a hoarse
growl sank and died away--the cry OF
vengeful men for blood. The command
ers, nervously gripping their hilts, moist
ened their dry mouths TO give the order for
a rush, the trumpeters hung with trem.
bling trump 10 lip ready TO blow the deadly
blast, the men listened and looked in bode-
ful silence. IL was the thrilling stiffness
that preludes the storm. Next minute the
thunders and lightnings of curbed venge-
ance would be let loose, and heaven help
the vanquishedl
The scouts, now crouching like tigers in
sight of their prey, crept nearer and nearer
20 the crest The enemy must be lying in
fancied security, as he had been seen ut
the dawn. He would rue his supine i'm.
activity when he woke up amid disaster
and death. He could not be on the alert,
for our scouts were within few yards OF
the top.
From the front Koor Ali was waving
his sword as he looked back for sign.
Abou kuram, tiDgling with excitement,
waved his own in return, and in an instant
a cloud of dust rose as another body OF
cavalry flew up the slope. He did not in
tend that mad burst, yet il was inspiring
to see how il acted on the army. A savage
roar went up from every man in the force,
and Abou Kurain tingled as if an electric
coil encircled him.
Forward forwardr he shouted, max
ing circles of light with his sword Trum-
pet and kettledrum blared and ratified, of
ficers scurried about yelling orders no one
heard, and the men, bowling like an es-
capped menagerie, goaded their plunging
beasts And then when all were so intent
OH rushing To victory and spoil that there
were no eyes for what was going on above
all at once there was "A cracking of mus
kerry on the ridge, and looking up the very
beating of our pulses suspended, we saw 1t
dark with warriors rs II dragons teeth had
sprung up armed men. A line OF white
smoke ran ZigNug along the top; ere we
could realize what had happcned another
spurted out with vicious points of fire In
the midst. The scouts OH foot fell 20 n
man, and many were brought out of their
saddles "A few shots were fired wildly i'm
return, and the scouts wheeling about
dashed back at twice the speed with which
they had assembled.
In half "a minute they were among the
first body OF horse that had gone out after
them and turned IL. lu half minute more
the second detachment was met and turned
In dire confusion, aud the whole, with q
rushing pavilion of dust, came sweeping on
our own advancing lines, though the enemy
refrained from pursuing
Amood Sim did not wait for the shock.
Raising his arms TO heaven with the des
pairing gesture Of fatalist, he went about
and fled as fast as a fleet horse could carry
him; his men, too, urged by vivid renem.
brance OF the past, promptly followed theii
generals eNaIhple,and came pellmell upon
our contingent in the rear, trampling and
battering with more than the madness and
fury Of "A foe. / saw then for the first time
that Of all terrible spcctacles ON earth the
most terrible Is the first explosive burst OF
panic stricken troops
For little Abou kuram looked on the de
moralized mob speeches. with horror ant
anger. then hastily ordering koor Ali. who
lad galIopsd back, 10 stop the rsbble oi