The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-08

action awakened the men. They hud-
died no more like sheep. They seemed
suddenly to bethink them of their
weapons and at once commenced firing.
Belabored by their officers they began
to move forward. The regiment, in
volved like a cart in mud and muddle,
started unevenly with many jolts and
jerks. The men stopped now every
few PAGES to fire and load and in this
manner moved slowly on from trees to
trees.
The flaming opposition in their front
grew with their advance until it seemed
that all forward ways were barred by
the thin leaping tongues and off to the
right an ominous demonstration could
sometimes be dimly discerned.
The command went painfully for.
ward until an open space interposed
between them and the lurid lines.
Here, crouching and covering behind
some trees, the men clung with des.
peration as if threatened by a wave.
They looked wild-eyed, and amazed at
this furious disturbance they had
stirred. In the storm, there was
an ironical expression Of their impor.
tanee.
As they halted thus, the lieutenant
again began to below profanely. Re.
gardless of the vindictivc threats OF
the bullets, he went about coaXing, be-
rating and bedamning. His lips, that
were habitually in soft and child-lilie
curve, now writhed into unholy contor.
tions. lie swore by all possible deities.
Once, he grabbed the youth by the
arm. "Come on, yeh lunli-head," he
roared. Come on. Well all git killed
if we stay here. We've only got t &C
across that lot. An then"
The remainder of his idea disap,
pearcd in blue haze Of curses.
The youth stretched forth his arm
"Crcss there?" His mouth was puckered
in doubt and awe.
"Cerly. Jest cross tn lot. We can't
stay here" screamed the lieutenant
He poked his face close to the youth
and waved his bandaged hand, Como
on" Presently he grappled with him
as if for wrestling bout. 1t was rs il
he planned to drag the youth by the
ear on to the assault.
The private felt a sudden unspealS
able Indignation against his officer
He wrenched fiercely and shook hin
eff.
"Come on yersclf, then" he yelled
There was a bitter challenge in his
voice.
They galloped together down the
regimental front. The friend scram
bled after them. In front of the col
ors the three men began to bawl
Come on! Come on!" They danced
and gyrated like tortured savages.
The flag, obedient to these appeals
bended its glittering form and swept
toward them. The men wavered in in
decision for moment and then with &
long, wailful cry, the dilapidated regi
.ment surged forward and began it'
new journey.
Over the field went the scurryinl
mass. Itwas n handful of men splat
tered into the faces Of the enemy. To
ward it instantly sprang the yellow
tongues A vast quantity of the blue
smoke hung before them. A mighty
banging made ears valucless.
The youth ran like madman t.
reach the woods before a bullet coult
discover him. He ducked his head low
like a football player. In his haste hi
eyes almost closed and the scene was {
wild blur Pulsating saliva stood a
the corners OF his mouth.
Within him. as he hurled himsel
forward, was born love, despairinf
fondncss for this flag which was neal
him. 1t was a creation of beauty ant
invulnerability. 1t was goddess
radiant, that bended its form with al
imperious gesture to him. 1t was {
woman, red and white, hating and loy
ing, that called him with the voice o.
his hopes. Because no harm coulC
come to it, he endowed it with power
He kept near as if it could be u saver
of lives, and an imploring cry wen
from his mind.
In the mad scramble he was aware
that the color sergeant flinched sud
denly as if struck by bludgeon. He
faltercd and then became motionless
save for his quivering knees
Then he made spring and a clutcl
at the pole. AT the same instant hi
friend grabbed it from the other side
a They jerlsed a