Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-05-09

, perceive Jney could eat WIN more leisure
and satisfaction" he added, with grim
politeness that admitted of no dispute.
III pleased, for he had resolved to hearten
himself with some handfuls of good NUT
ton, Amood Sim once more returned to his
place, and the men without dismounting
hurriedly washed down a bunch Of dry
dates apiece with draft of lukewarm wa
ter. The meager meal was hardly swal-
lowed when Koor Ali was careering to the
front again with instructions to Amood to
form and make for the height without fur
ther delay.
The swelling in the plain behind which
| lay the forces of Yumen Yusel had the ap-
pearance of an enormous billow thrown
up in some upheaval or convulsion OF ma
| ture and solidified and fixed as 1t rose 1t
was the only elevation in the plain, and, es
above indicated, we were to possess it.
| Once upon the crest or ridge we could
make our own arrangements for annlhilarr
ing the enemy. We would make our pre-
| parations at our ease and at the first op-
portunity spring upon him, crush him,
mangle him, sweep him off the face of the
earth and leave him neither name nor IT,
heritance among the sons of men. The
plan was excellent; all that remained was
| the execution.
Scouts were thrown out in front to pre-
vent surprise, while the whole force was
pushed vigorously on to be ready for any
advantage that might fall in the way OF
brave men, Abou Kuram hurried up the
rear and tried to bride his impatience.
"It galleth me to be behind" he re-
marked, when fain would be measuring
swords with this champion on the black
horse. Perchance may have an opportu'
nifty"
Percbance he might, and in case he had
we all felt it would be well for the lieuten-
ant of Yumen Yusel to have his prayers
said in advance.
A second detachment of horsemen was
thrown out and went squirting up the
slope as if determined to reap all the glory
of victory itself. Seeing it coming, the
scouts, who were now we'll on, struck spurs
to their horses, and fierce thrill of eX-
pectation vibrated through the main body
as it, too, quickened its pace. 1t was going
to be exceedingly awkward for the foe ly-
ing unconscious on the other side of the
billow. That was rs clear as the sun that
| famed in the heavens.
The scouts were riding their hardest, and
in another minute would be on the top.
AS they neared the ridge we held our breath,
the whole army seeming to pause for sig
nal The scouts lay fatter and f1atter on
| their horses necks, and the dust rose in
dcnser line behind them. Presently they
halted, as it appeared, very abruptly. Had
they discovered the lurking foe? The solid
mass below gave a great united gasp that
was as the sough of the wind in 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 finging
| their reins to their comrades, hurried for
ward on foot, bending low as they ran.
The army below looked up painting like
hounds on the leash. A deep murmur
rumbled on the air, swelled into a hoarse
growl, sank and died away-the cry OF
Yengeful men for blood. The command
ers, nervously gripping their hilts, moist
ened their dry mouths to give the order for
rush, the trumpeters hung with trem-
bling trump to lip ready to blow the deadly
blast, the men listened and looked in bode-
full silence. It 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 vanquished!
The scouts, now crouching like tigers in
sight of their prey, crept nearer and nearer
! to the crest. The enemy must be lying III
fancied security, as he had been seen at
the dawn. He would rue his supine in
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, tingEng with excitement,
waved his own in return, and in an instant
cloud of dust rose as another body OF
cavalry few up the slope. He did not in
tend that mad burst, yet it was inspiring
to see how it acted on the army. A sava~e
roar went up from every man in the force,
! and Abou Kuram tingled as if an electric
coil encircled him.
"Forwardl 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 plunglng
beasts. And then when all were so intent
on rushing to victory and spoil that there
were no eyes for what was going on above
all at once there was cracking OF mus
kerry on the ridge, and looking up, the very
beating of our pulses suspended, we saw it
dark with warriors as if dragons teeth had
sprung up armed men. A line of white
smoke ran zigzag along the top; ere We
| Ron ho1 hannlnp6
spurted out with vicious points of fire in
the midst. The scouts on foot fell to a
man, ard many were brought out of their
saddles. A few shots were fired wildly IN
return, and the scouts wheeling about
dashed back at twice the speed with which
they had assembled.
In half minute they were among the
first body OF horse that had gone out after
them and turned it, In half minute more
the second detachment was met and turned
in dire confusion, and the whole, with a
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 O fatalist, he went about
and fled as fast as feet horse could carry
him; his men, too, urged by vivid remem-
brance of the past, promptly followed their
generals example, and came pellmell upon
our contingent in the rear, trampling and
battering with more than the madness and
fury of foe. Isaw then for the first time
that of all terrible spectacles on earth the
most terrible is the first explosive burst Of
panic stricken troops.
For little Abou Kuram looked on the de-
moralized mob speechless with horror and
anger, then hastily ordering Koor Ali, who
had galloped back, to stop the rabble or
slay them, he dashed in pursuit of Amood
Sim, / following to the best of my ability.
"What meaneth this" he yelled, coming
up to the scudding general. But Amood
Sim could not stay for answer, so Abou
Kuram throwing etiquette to the winds
clutched at the bride and brought the fly
ing steed on its launches with a mighty
jerk. For a moment his passion denied
him utterance, and he only glared on his
surprised and quaking captive.