The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-10-26
+ his comrades in dusty sky blue uni

iOlillo.
Only month had he passed with the
regiment, but tho intelligence Of the
young student had already made him
conspicuous. and the time had been long
enough to knit his tics Of friendship
with the men. Only a month, but In
that time the boy had become man.
Gripping his sabcr hilt, no settled
himself firmly in tho saddle. Tho fro Of
German artillery. which had cannon
ndcd tho French infantry to prepare tho
way for the charge, was slackening
From over tho hill Franz heard the
ferco crack Of the cnemy's rifles.
On Francs right waited tho two
trunpoters of tho squadron. The nearer
one, eager faced and alert, scanned the
heavens, whcro shells shrioked above
their heads.
"This will 10 hot place If we don t
move soon," DO growled.
"Therc is hotter place over the hill,
Stoinert, said Franz
Steinort nodded Just then tho order
came. Clear and ringing it was sounded
By the chief trumpeter. Clear and ring
ing sounded tho trumpets in response.
With q great chatter the cavalry swept
up tho hill to plunge into the fiery rain
below
There camo shrill singing through
the sulphurous air, dcafening crash,
and she'll had exploded to tho right.
Before it foil Holtz, the farther trump
etcr.
Stoinort's horse rccoilod, 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 camo laundering limo
upon line of galloping squadrons.
''Can you take me up?" gasped Stein
ert, unmindful of tho red stain which
widoncd on his side.
"Upr' cried Franz. He checked
Prinz's pace IN instant. and tho trum-
peter was mounted behind him. Tho
sight Of battle had entered tho cavalry
horse. and down tho hill he clattered
under the double load. soon fully abreast
of tho squadron.
lyon are hurtl" cried Franz. "Put
your arms around me. So "
A dimness spread before the keen eyes
Of Stcinort There was humming in
his cars Tho heavens wero growing
black
Again cnmo tho trumpet call. With n
wavoring effort Steincrt raised his in
strumcnt, but found no strength to
blow.
Franz" no groaned, Sound tho
charged
Thoro was no time for question. Seiz-
ing tho trumpet, Franz raised it to his
lips. Clear and strong his repetition of
tho call rang out above tho turmoil.
"BravoV groaned Steinert Now
let mo drop. "
Steinert's hands loosoned their grasp.
His strength obbed fast. But Franz
caught tho flaccid hands firmly in his
left fist and drew tho limp form closer
to his broad shoulders. He dropped tho
bridlo rein upon his pommel, thrust his
right arm through the cord of his trump
et grasped his saber with that hand.
and so met the shock of battle
Nightfall found tho army of the crown
prince gathered in and around a French
village, far from the ground on which
Franz, after tho first charge, had de-
liycred Steinert to the ambulance, the
nurses and tho 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 on n holiday, tho Bavarian
troopers surged through the little cap
turcd town. After darkness had como
ON Franz, pushing his way through the
crowded thoroughfarcs. found himself
before an inn where many Of his COM
rados were eating. They shouted to him
to enter.
Winlling and blinking rs ho came
from tho darkness into the strong light,
Franz failed to SEQ tho signal slyly
given by burly 6ragoon There was q
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 upliftcd sausage tho signal
was given. Then 'Hochl Hochl" rolled
through tho room and reverberated in
tho corners. Smiling faces turned to
greet Franz; eager hands drew him to
seat Dazed, uncomprchendiug. he
slipped into his chair. and only upon re
pcated explanations did he understand
tho cause of tho demonstration.
"Why, ,ian." growlod tho burly
dragoon, don't you know it was n brave
thing to cripple yourself with Steinert
in tho midst Of n charge? Ach. but it
was fnor'
''Ho is my friend" answered Franz
simply, my comrade"
There was n stir at tho door and the
chatter of sabor upon tho floor In IN
instant every hand was raised in salute
Ii was tho captain.
II find that both trumpetors Of this
squadron were disabled carly in the
action today. yet n trumpet has sounded
the orders rs they We're given. How
was that?' In eager words the story
was told, and Franz found himself hus-
tied and shouldercd until ho stood be-
fore tho captain. With some rneasiness
no raised his eyes to his superior's face.
Had ho transgressed in taking upon
himself another's Office. But there was
no severity in tho answering glance
"How camo you TO know tho calls?''
tho captain asked kindly.