The herald., 1894-11-21


AIDED the French infantry to prepare the
way for the charge, was slackening.
From over tho hill Franz heard the
fierce crack of the enemy's rifles.
On Franz's right waited the two
trumpeters of tho squadron. The nearer
one, eager faced and alert, scanned the
heavens, where shells shrieked above
their heads.
''This will be a hot place if we don't
move soon," he growled.
'"There is u hotter place over the hill,
Steinert," " said Franz.
Steinert nodded. Just then the order
came. Clear and ringing it was sounded
by the chief trumpeter. Clear and ring
ing sounded the trumpets in response.
With great olatter the cavalry swept
up the hill to plunge into the fiery rain
below.
There came shrill singing through
the sulphurous air, deafening crash,
and shell had exploded to the right
Before it fell Holtz, the farther trump
eter.
Steinert's s horse recoiled, then plunged
heavily forward, throwing his rider
over his head. In an instant Steinert
was on his feet and running by Franz's
side. Behind him came laundering line
upon line Of galloping squadrons.
"Can you take me up?" gasped Stein
ert, unmindful of the red stain which
widened ON his side.
cup" cried Franz. He checked
D,,,,
peter was mounted behind him. The
sight of battle had entered the cavalry
horse, and down the hill he clattered
under the double load, soon fully abreast
of the squadron.
"You are hurt" cried Franz "Put
your arms around me. SO.
A dimness spread before the keen eyes
of Steinert. There was q humming in
his ears The heavens were growing
black!
Again came the trumpet CALL With a
wavering effort Steinert raised his in
strument, but found no strength to
blow.
Franz" he groaned, "sound the
charged
There was no time for question. Seiz-
ing the trumpet, Franz raised it to his
lips. Clear and strong his repetition of
the call rang out above the turmoil.
''Bravo!" groaned Steinert. "Now
let me drop"
Steinert's hands loosened their grasp.
His strength ebbed fast. But Franz
caught tho fiaccid hands firmly in his
left fist and drew tho limp form closer
to his broad shoulders. He dropped the
bride rein upon his pommel, thrust his
right arm through the cord of his trump
ct, grasped his saber with that hand,
and SO met the shock of battle.
Nightfall found the army of the crown
prince gathered in and around French
village, far from the ground ON which
Franz, after the first charge, had de-
livered Steinert to the ambulance, the
nurses and the doctors. Through the
successive actions of the day the young
student had served as trumpeter.
Shouting, foraging for provisions,
cheering, singing and laughing as
though Oh holiday, the Bavarian
troopers surged through the little cap
tured town. After darkness had come
ON Franz, pushing his way through the
crowded thoroughfares, found himself
before an inn where many of his COM
rades were eating. They shouted to him
to enter.
Winking and blinking as he came
from the darkness into the strong light,
Franz failed to see the signal slyly
given by burly dragoon. There was a
hasty scraping of chairs on the bare
floor, q clatter of feet, and the survivors
of Franz's squadron sprang to their feet.
With an uplifted sausage the signal
was given. Then "Hoch Hoch' rolled
through the room and reverberated in
the corners Smiling faces turned to
greet Franz; eager hands drew him to
seat. Dazed, uncomprehending, he
slipped into his chair, and only upon re
peated explanations did he understand
the cause of the demonstration.
"Why, man," growled the burly
dragoon, "don't you know it was bravo
thing to cripple yourself with Steinert
in the midst of a charge? Ach, but il
was fincp'
He is my friend" answered Franz
simply, "my comrade."
There was stir at the door and the
clatter Of a saber upon the floor In an
instant every hand was raised in salute
1t was the captain.
Il find that both trumpeters of this
squadron were disabled early in the
action today, yet trumpet has sounded
the orders as they We're given. How
was that?' In eager words the story
was told, and Franz found himself hus-
tied and shouldered until he stood be-
fore the captain. With some uneasiness
he raised his eyes to his superiors face
Had he transgressed in taking upon
himself another's Office. But there was
no severity in the answering glance.
"How came you to know the calls?'
the captain asked kindly.
Franz told briefly Of the lessons he
had received from Steinert back in the
fatherland
"Then keep the place you have taken
today, as Holtz is dead and Steinert too
badly wounded for service. 1t pleases
you, l see. 1t pleases me also Good
night''
And again the room resounded to
shouts, deep and sonorous, 'Hoch,
Hoch, Hochp'
4
A year Joy and sorrow, hope and
despair, laughter and tears, victory and
defeat-these are its harvest. But above
the sobs of those who will not be com