West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-11-07
Bolitho found chat II vas diving.

L
Calling the men aside, the Ser.
gesnt ordered them to place their
cnrbines against the wall, and to
put Mrs. Roses saddle on his horse,
and at the same time informing
them In an authoritative tone that
they were to make the best of speed
on to the camp.
"Madam, kindly send horse for
me when you get back to camp, as
1t is too hot to walk"
Mrs. Rose, grateful of his consid-
GRAFTON aud quite unaware Of the
case. promised she would.
Away they went, the children
laughing and waving their hands to
him, standing alone in the road,
and the ladies wondering how they
would find the Colonel.
Bolitho had seen the dust COM
ing in a cloud about three miles
behind thcm-he guessed their ene-
mics were on their track, and saw
certain death 10 the whole party
before them.
Clasping the carbines in his arms
he got over the low wall and ar
ranged them In such way as to
be readily able to fire them rapidly.
lie opened his cartridge case and
laid that ready, and then knelt
down with a gun in his hand be-
hind the wall.
Suddenly, over the brow of the
nearest hill, poured squadron of
native cavalry, coming at a gallon
down to the foot Of the hill, upon
the top of which Bolitho was en-
trenched.
lie judged then they were in
ranging, taking a quick shot, he
fired his carbine, clutched another
and another as that was discharged.
lie poured five shots in quick SUI
cession into the mass Of troopers.
His aim was deadly, and, deceived
by the rapidity of the shots, the
enemy was checked, and, hating,
suddenly wheeled of sharply and
retired q hundred yards, leaving
three dead men and two horses be-
hind them.
On again getting to the foot of
the hill they unbuckled their car
blnes and began vigorous fusilade
OF the wood. In moment Bolitho
was struck in three places.
Realizing all was over, he crawled
to tree and got himself propped
against it. Still unconquered, with
a revolver in his right hand and
blood oozing from his wounds, he
was at bay, and nobler quarry no
hunter ever saw.
The natives, hearing no further
firing, began to take courage, and
after n final volley again returned
to the charge.
But bark /! He hears his regi
mental call brayed out, then the
charge Is sounded, and with a
hoarse cheer squadron of his own
regiment came galloping round the
plantation and crashed into the
rebels.
Short and sharp was the reckon.
ing, and within five minutes the
whole body were either dead or
prisoners.
Their work done. the troopers
swarmed into the wood, headed by
the Colonel himself, IN search of
their comrade, aud found him dy.
Ing against the tree. Kneeling be.
side him the Colonel placed his
arms around the wounded man.
"My poor fellow Are you much
hurt ?'
"Done for, SIR" gasped Bolitho.
"Are the ladies safe ?''
Eyes; you saved them. A mile
from here we found them, horses
quite done up-the quarter of an
hour you gave them saved them all.
How can | thank you ?"
Listen" gripping him by tie
arm, Bolitho huskiIY whispered to
his chief, "write to the addresses
IN my pocket to say how | died.
My father is the Bishop of -.
was r clergyman-To save my honor
| enlisted--Tell Colonel Wise and
Mrs. Wise | died like a man
Promise. lie paused whilst
trying in vain to catch his breath.
81 promise you, Bolitho, on my
word"
They buried him that evening
outside the fort, the Colonel, with
shaky voice, reading the service,
and bis wife as chief mourner. In
all that throng there was not one
dry eye as he finished up with
"And greater love can no man
show than by laying down his life
for his friends. Answers.
|