The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-06-10

.
ard" cried the brave girl. Indignantly
You are a disgrace to the service"
He began to lament I'm pitiable
manner, and she turned away and ran
to the side of George Stone, who stood
boldly erect by the imperfect breast
work. firing at the savages, who were
| pouring n storm of bullets about him.
Laying one little hand on his shoulder,
she said:
"Mr. Stone, it is not right that you
should endanger your life"
He turned his pale, stern face upon
her. and spoke to her for the first time
since he had worn the uniform OF Il
soldier.
Miss Sommers. this Is no place for
you"
Nor is It any place for you" she an
swered.
II am a soldier and It is my duty to
die"
And l am one whom you are defend
ing, and it is my duty to remain at
your side"
Miss Sommers-" he began.
mo, no, George! l will never leave
this breastwork while you expose your
life-more precious than that OF any
other in the party"
He was touched by her words They
appealed to his heart. A moisture
came into the eyes which had been
so long dry. while his frame trembled.
Miss Sommers-"
George, you used to call me Mary:
won't you do so now? Remember.
death is a great leveler, and we are
facing DEATH
'Mary-I must defend you" he said.
II would defend you even If were not
a soldier, and l must inspire these 9TH
ers by my example"
Better let any of them expose their
lives than your she answered In a
voice of melting tenderness.
1T would be fatal to shirk duty now
the act Of coward. Is it not better
that we take the only chance we have
of defending our lives than to die a
towards deathT
''Then let me stand by your side and
fall when you do. l shall not care to
live if you are gone"
mo, no! Don't insist on endanger.
ing your life, Mary. You unman me.
l am coward when you are exposed
to danger-I am brave in the thought
that | can defend you"
D His reason and entreaty prevailed.
and she was induced to seek the most
1nlf I'll To-, =,
the Indians made their next charge on
the rude earthwork.
They are coming again, boys!" cried
the brave private. Now remember
that 1t is better to die brave man
than a coward. Don't waste a shot.
Our only hope lies in making a bold,
stubborn resistance"
The soldiers, who looked upon him
as their natural leader, silently nodded
assent.
Steady all!' cried George Stone.
Now take careful aim. Don't any of
you waste lead on the big chief with
red feathers"
Every rifle was aimed
Steady! Let them come a little
nearer before you fire."
Up they came until they were even
within long pistol range and then
George gave the command:
"tirer'
There was a rattllng crash Of fire.
arms. and the foremost saddles were
emptied. The big chief with red feath-
ers went down with the others. The
riderless horses plunged back among
the mounted savages, making the
panic more general.
"Load"' cried the young soldier.
Before the Indians had recovered
from the confusion the volley had
thrown them into, second volley was
poured into them. Then some Of the
passengers having Winchesters began
continual fire.
The savages drew off again, but they
had no intention Of giving up the fight.
Other chiefs came to take the place
of those fallen, and they appealed to
their comrades for revenge. They had
only to point to the sandy plain, red
dened with their blood, and with deaf
ening yells they charged the breast
work.
One by one the soldiers went down.
AS if by miracle Stone was still un-
hurt, and gathering the arms Of his
fallen comrades about him, he contin.
ued to fire with such rapidity that the
Indians little dreamed there was but
one man left.
George, let me help you" entreated
Mary. II can load the guns"
God help you" he murmered
AT this moment there was sudden
and for some time unexplalnable STAN.
pede on the part of the enemy. Hast
lily taking up their wounded and part
of their dead they flew across the plain
as rapidly as their ponies could carry
them. The cause of their flight was
the arrival of two hundred soldiers un-
der Major Warner. George was the
only man unhurt save the cowardly
lieutenant, who was still under the
stagecoach, and who never recovered
from his sudden malady until he and
the major "a osslIred him tho apapny .,,as