The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-04-17
CHAPTER XV.-CoNrINUED.


en- with the thought that the regi-
ment had lost its path and was pro-
ceeding in a perilous direction. Once
the men who headed the wild process
sion turned and came pushing back
against their comrades screaming that
they were being fired upon from points
which they had considered to be to-
ward their own troops. A soldier who
heretofore had been ambitious to make
the regiment into a wise little band
that would proceed calmly amid the
Incorporating difficulties, suddenly
sank down and buried his face in his
arms with an air of bowling to doom.
From another, a shrin 1amentation
rang out filed with profane illusions
to a general Men ran hither and
thither seeking with their eyes roads of
escape. With serene regularity as if
controlled by schedule, bullets buffed
into men.
The youth walked stolidly into the
midst of the mob and, with his flag in
his hands, took a stand as if he ex-
pected an attempt to push him to the
ground. He unconsciously assumed
the attitude of the color-bearer in the
fight of the preceding day. He passed
over his brow a hand that trembled.
His breath did not come freely. He
was choking during this small wait for
the crisis.
His friend came to him. "We1l,
Elem, guess this is good-by-John."
''Oh, shut up, you dammnSd fool" re-
piled the youth and he would not look
at the other.
The officers labored like politicians
to beat the mass into a proper circle to
face the mcnaces. The ground was I'M
even and torn. The men curled into
depressions and fitted themselves
snugly behind whatever would frus-
trate'a bullet
The youth noted with vague sur
prise that the lieutenant was standing
mutely with his legs far apart and his
sword held in the manner Of a cane.
The youth wondered what had hap
pened to his vocal organs that he no
, more cursed.
There was something curious in this
little intent pause Of the lieutenant.
He was like babe which having wept
its fill, raises its eyes and fixes upon o
distant toy. He was engrossed in this
: contemplation and the soft under-lip
quivered from self-whispcred words
Some lazy and ignorant smoke curled
slowly. The men hiding from the bull
lets, waited anxiously for them to lift
and disclose the plight Of the regi-
ment.
The silent ranks were suddenly
thrilled by the eager voice OF the
youthful lieutenant bawling out:
Here they como. Right onto US, b
Gawd." His further words were lost
in a roar of wicked thunder from the
mems rifles.
The youths eyes had Instantly
turned in the direction indicated by
the awakened and agitated lieutenant,
and he had seen the haze of treachery
disclosing a body of soldiers Of the
enemy. They were SO near that he
could see their features. There was q
recognition as he looked at the types
of faces. Also he perceived with dim
amazement that their uniforms were
rather gay in effect, being light gray
'plentifully accented with a brilliant
hued facing. Too, the clothes seemed
new.
These troops had apparently been 60
ing forward, with caution, their
rifles held in readiness, when the
youthful lieutenant had discovered
them and their movement had been in
terrupted by the volley from the blue
regiment. From the moments glimpse,
it was derived that they had been un-
aware of the proximity Of their dark
suited foes, or. had mistaken the direc-
ton. Almost instantly, they were shut
utterly from the youths sight by the
smoke from the energetic rifles of his
companions. He strained his vision to
learn the accomplishment of the volley,
but the smoke hung before him.
The two bodies Of troops exchanged
ers. The fast, angry flrings went back
and forth. The men in blue were in
tent with the despair Of their circum-
stances, and they seized upon the re-
venge to be had at close range. Their
thunder swe1led loud and valiant
Their curving front bristled with
flashes and the place resounded with
the clangor Of their ramrods. The
youth ducked and lodged for time,
and achieved few unsatisfactory
views of the enemy. There appeared
to be many Of them, and they were re-
plying swiftly. They seemed moving
toward the blue regiment step by step.
He seated himself gloonily on the
ground with his flag between his
knees.
As he noted the vicious, wolf-like
temper Of his comrades he had q
sweet thought that if the enemy was
about to swallow the regimental broom
as large prisoner it could at least
have the consolation of going down
with bristles forward. FgI...-
But the blows Of the antagonist be-
gan to grow more weak. Fewer bull
lets ripped the air, and finally, when
the men slackened to learn of the
fight. they could see only dark. float
ing smoke. The regiment lay still and
gazed. Presently some chance whim
came to the Fostering blur. and it be
gan to coil heavily away. The men
saw a ground vacant OF lighters. 1t
would have been an empty stage if it
were not for few corpses that lay
thrown and twisted into fantastic
shapes upon the sward. At sight of
this tableau many Of the men In blue
sprong from behind their covers and
made an ungainly dance Of joy. Their
eyes burned and q hoarse cheer of ella
ton broke from their dry lips.
It had begun to seem to them that
events were trying to prove that they
roro frr~o<onf Fate had f,vyident1v