The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-08

had lost distance and made a little gap,
but at the shouts of the lieutenant, they
urged their horses forward. The bugIer,
careering along behind the capatin OF the
troop, fought and tugged like wrestler
to keeper his frantic animal from boiling
far ahead OF tht column.
On the springy turf the innumera BILE
hoofs thundered In a swift storm of
sound. In the brown faces of the troop.
ers their eyes were set like bits OF fash
ing steel.
The long line of the infantry regi-
sudden movement at the rush OF the
passing squadron. The foot soldiers
turned their heads to gaze at the torrent
OF horses and men.
The yellow folds of the flag fiuttered
back In silken shuddering waves. as II il
were reluctant thing. Occasionally a
giant spring of a charger would rear the
firm and steady figure OF q soldier sud
denly head and shoulders above his com
rades. Over the noise of the scudding
hoofs could be heard the creaking of
leather trappings, the jingle and clank OF
steel and the tense, low-toned commands
or appeals OF the men TO their horses.
Aud the horses were mad with the
head-long sweep OF this movement. Power
full underjaws bended back and straight
ened so that the bits were clamped as
rigidly as vises upon the teeth, and
listening necks arched in desperate resist
ence TO the HANDS at the bridles. Swing
Ing their heads in rage at the granite laws
OF their lives which bended even their
angers and their ardors to chosen direc-
tions and chosen faces, their flight was
rs flight Of harnessed demons
The captains bay kept Its pace at the
head OF the squadron with the 1.-THE
bounds OF thorough bred, and this horse
was proud az chief at the roaring
m n al k.Is ~ M
captains glance was calmly upon the
grove OF naples from whence the shacp-
shooters OF the enemy had been picking
at the blue line. He seemed to be reflect.
ing. He stolidly rose and .ell with the
piunges OF his horse in all the indiffer-
ence OF oeacon's figure seated plumply
In church. And ii occurred TO many OF
the watching Infantry TO wonder why
this ofhcer could remain imperturbable
and reflective when his squadron vas
laundering and swarming behind him
like the rushing OF flood
The column swung in a sabre-curve TO.
ward break in fence and dashed into
. roadway. Once little plank bridge
was encountered, and the sound of the
hoofs upon IT was like the long roll of
many drums. An old captain in the in
fantry turned to his first lieutenant and
made remark which was a compound of
bitter dispsragemcnt OF cavalry in gem
eral and soldierly admiration OF this par
ticuisr troop.
Suddenly the bugle sounded and the
column halted with a jolting upheavsl
amid sharp. bysef cries A moment later
the men bsc fuEbied from their horse
and. csrbiDef 81 h1nc, were running in a
swarm foEsrc TIE grove of naples. In
the roso- oDs Ct every four OF the troopers
was Standing rsi6 brsced legs and pull
ing and hsriing ~ The brides OF four
frenxied borses
he captain was running awkardIy i'm
bis boots. he held his sabre low so that
the point often threatened TO catch in the
turf His yellow hair rufIied out from
under bis faded cap. $50 in hard now.p
he roared In q voice OF hoarse fury. His
face was violently red.
:. The troopers threw themselves upon
the grove like wolves upon a great ami
NAL Along the whole front of the wood
there was the dry cracking OF musketry.
with bitter, swift flashes and smoke that
writnea Ike stung phantoms. The
lets low into the foliage.
:. for moment when near the woods. the
line almost halted. The men struggled
ana fought for time like swim
mers encountering powerful current.
Inen with supreme effort they went
on sgsln. They dashed msdly al the
grove, whose foliage from the high LIGHT
OF the field was as inscrutable as wall
Ihen suddenly each detail OF the calm
trees became apparent and with n few
more frantic leaps the mon were in the
cool gloom Of the woods There was n
heavy odor as from burnt paper. whisps
OF grey smoke wouad upward. The men
halted and, grimey. perspiring and puff.
ing, they reached the recesses OF the woods
with eager, fierce glances. Figures
could be seen fitting afar OF. A dozen
oarpiDes ratified at them in an angry
voiiey.
During this pause the captain strobe
along the line. his face lit with q broad