The morning call., 1895-01-13

the fact that instead of going on we were
going back. 1t was about noon that tbs
terrible news was proclaimed. Toward
night felt as il we had been retreating
before the enemy during the whole week.
l was i'll with typhoid fever. The chief
doctor of the field hospital. in which L
served as assistant surgeon, had already
advised me repeatedly to lie down in one
of our ambulance wagons, but l would not
give in; having set my mind on keeping
out of bed as long as possible. l walked
bravely on, STUN bling frequently, falling
down, tagging behind, but still marching
on and refusing obsiinately to avail myself
of any opportunity of sitting down that
offered itself.
We were followed by the rear guard,
which kept firing at the enemy. who were
following close behind.
We could hear the deep boom of the
cannon. alternating with sharp, cracking
noise and the whzzing of the musket-balls
as they few through the air.
Our discomfort was increased by the
march through dense, painless. WOOD,
with boggy soil. and the shouts and
oaths Of the soldiers, who were constantly
obliged to stop in order to raise cart that
had been upset or drag out piece OF
artillery that had stuck in the mud.
The night was fast closing in, but not
word had been said about blvOu8clng, or
even taking short rest. The way through
the wood along we were walking was grow
ing very dark. / had hoped that the cool
of the evening would make me- feel better,
but / was mistaken, the fever Kept rising
and l was becoming slightly delirious. but
l still kept on walking and tried TO per-
suade myself that l was quite right In
doing so. l was terribly afraid OF lying
down, because l had taken it into my
head that it would cause my death. | did
not want to die yet, 80 l struggled desDer
ately on, clingng to any object / could lay
hold of and trying not to lose sight of the
ambulance aud wagons. My head was
burning. and l felt as If hundred weight
were tied to each of my feet. Nobody
cared for me, for everybody was fully
occupied with his own affairs.
The night came at last, but it was diff
ferent from the nights in the North.
There was no twilight-no cleaning. The
firing ceased. Dark heavy clouds seemed
to be resting on the tops of the trees. The
ground beneath our feet exhaled pecu-
liarly damp and musty smell. l was still
hobbling along, strainlng every muscle
aud nerve to the utmost, unable for the
life OF me to remember where was. l
OIu not huOW WIN WOlO my CUlDI duCot
whether they belonged to the am bulance
or to the infantry or to the artillery, and
followed mechanically the flood of bu-
man beings that was going on 10 front of
me.
The oueerest IDEAS would keep coming
into my head: why am | here? How
comfortable they are all at home now?
Ny sister, Varya. has just come in from
her lesson; she takes her music out the
portfolio and is telling them something in
her brisk, lively manner, and they are all
listening. Even Kolva has laid down his
slate and keeps his big bright eyes on her;
everybody understands her except myself;
[ cannot make out what she Is talking
about to save my life. suppose my head
ache makes me feel stupid. Why don't
they tie wettowei around my head? Who
was that pushing me just now? 1t may
have been either tree or soldier. NO,
the tree was on The other side OF the road.
On. [ say, there is Kolga wanting me TO
help him work out his sum. Why Will
thew bother their heads about arithmetic
when the sum might just as we'll be worked
ont bv algebraie formulas? | was never
good mathematician; that is the reason
wby / never could learn to skate-0r is ii
because / am afraid? If l had known that
we were going to retreat at night should
never have enlisted. How nice it would
be to rest here moment, till my strength
came back-but if l sit down j shall be
crushed to death. Supposing l am lefl
ia. What pretty little glade that is in
the pinewood at home, and so sunny and
drv. What is that bright spot over there?
mnst be dreaming and feverish. l am
snre | have got typhoid fever. Who
will attend me- in my lllnessp l think
shall ask Nicolal Vassilyvitcb, but on the
whole It's the same to me-the hospital beds
for a lp Win that call
inv tn me lust now-"What are you lying
down there for?" He must have been an
officer. because the soldiers nave different
voices am coming. | only wanted 10
rest for a little while. How l should like
a glass of lemonade now-not that stun
thew sell in bottles, but cs the kind which
NV mother makes at notAe, with slices OF
orange and lemon floating about the big
crystal lug and lots of ice in 1t. Only
don't let it be too sweet, pray. ] do moi
like sugar. because | have such pain IN
my side.
=
"Good heavens! He's aliye!" said a
voice close to my ear. L opened my eyes
and an,i tried to raise my head. The darkness
was less dense than before. Tor the moo
had evidently risen. A man was kneellng
by my side and a horse stood lew yards
further off.
w Udi 10 its Sb =
member where was
"Wbv. YOU have been left behind, m ost
biphborn one" said the man who was
STOPPING over me.
lam i'll. Have l really been left be-
hindP Where's nv company"
stYour company! Whv, they must be at
least verst from here"
"IndeedT Then 1 must catch them uD."
| staggered painfully to my feet. The
short rest had given mo little strength.
what regiment do you belong to, most
high born one?''
Il am a doctor-one OIL the assistant
surgeons at the field hospital
II see. But your hospital must be pretty
far gone on its way by this time, unless
thew lave called halt"
but what shall I do?" asked /, begin
ming to feel terribly helpless.
..if we can only reach the company you
will be all right afterward. Come along
will accompany you"
but who are you?" 1 inquired of my
companion.
"A Cossack," replied he. getting on his
horse.
We set out, but hardly had l walked
few steps when / felt my sire ngth give
way again; my legs would not carry me,
and could not keep up with the Cossack.
Noticing my condition he stopped his
i l.