The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-06-19

| blew. Among some stolid trees it be-
gan to falter and hesitate. The men.
staring intently, began to wait for
some OF the distant walls of smoke to
move and disclose to them the scene.
Since much of their strength and their
breath had vanished, they returned to
caution. They were become men
again.
The youth had vague belief that he
had run miles and he thought, in
way. that he was now in some new and
unknown land.
The moment the regiment ceased its
advance the protesting splutter of mus
kerry became a steadied rear. Long
and accurate fringes of smoke spread
out. From the top of a small bill
came level belchings of yellow flame
that caused an inhuman whistling in
the air.
The men, halted, had opportunity to
see some of their comrades dropping
with means and shrieks. A few lay
under foot, still or wailing. And now
for an instant the men stood, their
rifles slack in their hands, and watched
the regiment dwindle. They appeared
dazed and stupid. This spectacle
seemed to paralyze them, to overcome
them with a fatal fascination They
stared woodenly at the sights and, low
ering their eyes, looked from face to
facc. 1t was a strange pause and
strange silence.
Then above the sounds of the outside
commotion arose the roar of the lieu
tenant. lie strobe suddenly forth, his
infantile features black with rage.
Come on, yeh FOOLS" he beloved.
Come on. Yeh can't stay here. Yeh
must come on" He said more, but
much of it could not be understood.
He started rapidly forward with his
head turned toward the men. Come
on" he was shouting. The men stared
with blank and yokel-like eyes at him.
lie was obliged to halt and retrace his
steps. He stood then with his back TO
the enemy and delivered gigantic
curses into the faces of the men, His
body vibrated from the weight and
force of his imprecations. And he
could string oaths with the facility %
a maiden who strings beads.
The friend of the youth aroused.
Lurching suddenly forward and drop
ping to his knees, he fred an angry
shot at the persistent woods. This
action awakened the men. They hud-
died no more like sheep. They seemed
suddenly to bethink them of their
weapons and at once commenced firing.
Belabored by their officers they began
to move forward. The regiment, in
volved like cart in mud and middle,
started unevenly with many jolts and
Jerks. The men stopped now every
few PAGES to fire and load, and in this
manner moved slowly on from trees to
trees.
The flaming opposition in their front
grew with their advance until it seemed
that all forward ways were barred by
the thin leaping tongues and off to the
right an ominous demonstration could
sometimes be dimly discerned. The
smoke, lately generated, was in confus-
ing clouds that made it difficult for
the regiment to proceed with intelli-
gence. AS he passed through each
curling mass, the youth wondered what
would confront him on the further side.
The command went painfully for
ward until an open space interposed
between them and the lurid lines.
Here, crouching and covering behind
some trees, the men chung with des-
peration as if threatened by wave.
They looked wild-eyed, and amazed at
this furious disturbance they had
stirred. In the storm, there was
an ironical expression of their impor-
lance. The faces of the men, too,
showed lack of a certain feeling Of
responsibility for being there. 1t was
as if they had been drinking. 1t was
the dominant animal failing to remem-
Der in the supreme moments, the force
full causes of various superficial quail
ties. The whole affair seemed incom-
prehensible to many of them.
AS they halted thus, the lieutenant
again began to below profanely. Re
gardless of the vindictive threats of
the bullets, he went about coaxing, be-
rating and bedamning. His lips, that
were habitually in soft and child-lille
curve, now writhed into unholy contor-
tons. He swore by all possible deities.
Once, he grabbed the youth by the
arm. Come on, yeh lunk-head," he
roared. Come on. Well all git killed
if we stay here. We've only got t go
across that lot. An then"
The remainder of his idea disap-
peared in blue haze of curses.
The youth stretched forth his arm.
Gross there?" His mouth was puckered
in doubt and awe.
"Cerly. Jest cross tn lot. We can't
stay here" screamed the lieutenant.
He poked his face close to the youth
and waved his bandaged hand. Come
on" Presently he grappled with him
as if for a wrestling bout. 1t was as ii
he planned to drag the youth by the
ear on to the assault.
The private felt sudden unspeak-
able Indignation against his officer.
He wrenched fercely and shook him
off
Come on yerself, then" he yelled.
There was a bitter challenge in his
| voice