The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-02-28
and aloud. A low, tittering laugh went

and aloud. A low, tittering laugh went
among his fellows
Presently they passed into a road
strides. A dark regiment moved be-
fore them, and, from behind, also,
came the tinkle of equipments on the
bodies of marching men.
The rushing yellow Of the develop
ing day went on behind their backs.
When the sun rays at last struck full
and mellowingly upon the earth,
the youth saw that the landscape
was streaked with two long, thin,
black columns, which disappeared on
the brow of the hill in front and rear
ward vanished in wood They We're
like two serpents crawling from the
cavern Of the night
The river was not in view. The tall
soldier burst out in praise of what he
thought to be his powers of perception
Didn't tell you?"
The youth took no part In them As
he walked along in careless line, he was
engaged with his own eternal debate.
He could not hinder himself from
dwelling upon it. He was respondent
about him. He looked ahead often ex-
pecting to hear from the advance the
rattle Of firing.
CHAPTER d.
When another night came, the col
unns, changed to purple streaks, filed
across two pontoon bridges. A glazing
fire wine-tinted the waters of the river.
Its rays, shining upon the moving
masses of troops, brought forth here
and there sudden CLEANS Of silver or
gold. Upon the other shore, a dark
and mysterious range of hills was
curved against the sky. The insect
voices of the night sang solemnly.
After this crossing, the youth assured
himself that at any moment they might
be suddenly and fearfully assaulted
from the caves of the lowering woods.
He kept his eyes watchfully upon the
darkness.
Presently, the army again sat down
to think. The odor of the peaceful
pines was in the mems nostrils. The
sound of monotonous ax-blows rang
through the forest and the insects,
nodding upon their perches, crooned
like old women. The youth returned
to his theory of blue demonstration.
One gray dawn, however, he was
kicked in the leg by the tall soldier and
then. before he was entirely awake, he
found himself running down a wood
road in the midst of men who were
painting from the first effects Of speed
His canteen banged rhythmically upon
his thigh and his haversack bobbed
softly. His musket bounced trife
from his shoulder at each stride and
made his cap feel uncertain upon his
head.
He thought the damp fog Of early
morning moved from the rush of a
great body of troops. From the dis
lance came sudden spatter of firing.
He was bewildered. AS he ran with
his comrades he strenuously tried to
think, but all he knew was that if he
fell down those coming behind would
tread upon him. All his faculties
seemed to be needed to guide him
over and past distractions He felt
carried along by mob.
The sun spread disclosing rays and,
one by one, regiments burst into view
like armed men Just born Of the earth.
The youth perceived that the time had
come. He was about to be measured
For a moment he felt in the face of his
great trial like babe. And the flesh
over his heart seemed very thin.
The regiment slid down bank and
wallowed across a little stream The
mournful current moved slowly on and
from the water, shaded black, some
white bubble eyes looked at the men
AS they climbed the hill ON the fur
Their side artillery began to boom
Here the youth forgot many things as
he felt sudden impulse of curiosity.
He scrambled up the bankwith a speed