The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-02
A Mystery
OF HerOiSn1n.
A DETAIL OF AN AMERICAN BATTLE
By STEPHEN CRANE.
Copyright leeA BY Irving Bachel.sr).

IuIl OF neuOS VINO OirecteO III tuelI Wuu
rage at his head.
When he came to the well. he fiung
himself face downward and peered into
its darkness. There were furtive silver
glintings some feet from the surface.
He grabbed one Of the canteens. and.
unfastening its cap. swung 1t down by
the cord. The water flowed slowly In
with an indOlent gurgle.
And now as he lay with his face
turned away he was suddenly smitten
with the terror. 1t came upon his heart
like the grasp Of claws. All the power
faded from his muscles. For an In
slant he was no more than a dead man.
The canteen filed with maddening
slowness In the manner OF all bottles.
Presently he recovered his strength and
addressed a screaming oath to 1t. He
leaned over until II seemed as II he In
tended to try to push water into 1t with
his hands. His eyes as he gazed down
into the well shone like two pieces OF
metal and in their expression was
great appeal and q great curse. The
stupid water derided him.
There was the blaring thunder OF
shell. Crimson light shone through the
swift-boiling smoke and made pink
reflection on part Of the wall OF the
well. Collins jerxed out his arm ana
canteen with the same motion that a
man would use In Withdrawing his
head from a furnace,
He scrambled erect and glared and
hesitated. On the ground near him lay
the old we'll bucket, with length OF
rusty chain. He lowered 1t swiftly into
the well. The bucket struck the water
and then, turning lazily over, sank
When, with hand reaching trembiingiy
over hand, he hauled 1t out. 1t Knocked
often against the walls OF the well anu
spilled some Of its contents.
In running with filled oucKet'
man can adopt but one kind OF gaN'
So through this terrible, field over
which screamed practical angels OF
death Collins ran in the manner OF
farmer chased out Of a dairy by bull.
His face went staring white with
anticipa ation-anticipatiOn Of a blow
that would whirl him around and down.
He would fall as he had seen other
men fall, the life knocked out OF them
SO suddenly that their knees were no
more quick to touch the ground than
their heads He saw the long blue line
Of the regiment, but his comrades
were standing looking at him from the
edge Of an impossible star. He was
aware Of some deep wheel ruts and
hoof-prints In the sod beneath his feet.
The artillery officer who had fallen in
this meadow had been making groans
in the teeth Of the tempest Of sound.
These futile cries, wrenched from him
by his agony. were heard only by shells,
bullets. When wild-eyed Collins came
running, this officer raised himself. His
face contorted and blanched from pain,
he was. about TO utter some great be-
seeching cry. But suddenly his face
Strengthened and ne called: Say.
young man, give me a drink Of water.
will youw
Collins had no room amid his emo
tions for surprise. He was mad from
the threats Of destruction.
II can't" he screamed, and in this
reply was a full description Of his
quacking apprehension. His cap was
gone and his hair was riotous. His
clothes made 1t appear that he had been
dragged over the ground by the heels
He ran on.
The officers head sank down and one
elbow crooked. His foot in Its brass
bound stirrup still stretched over the
body Of his horse and the other leg was
under the steed.
But Collins turned. He came dashing
back. His face had now turned gray
and In his eyes was all terror. "Here 1t
is! Here 1t is!'.
The officer was as man gone In
drink. His arm bended like a twig
His head, drooped as IL his neck was Of
willow. He was sinking to the ground,
to lie face downward.
Collins grabbed him by the shoulder.
Here 1t is Here's your drink. Turn
over! Turn over. man. for Gods sakew
With Collins hauling at his shoulder.
the officer twisted his body and fell
where his face turned toward that