The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-09-09
THE DISPATCH BEARER.
RY wM. X. ROBINSON.

The sun shone so fiercely hot on the
18th of August, 1S7-, tnat the leaves
of the trees folded themselves in
humble protest and the birds crept
pantingly under the shade which
lined the banks of Otter creek in their
endeavor to screen themselves from
the fiery orb. But the heat seemingly
had no effect upon man who stood
upon an overturned wagon which
formed part of some breastwork that
had been upreared upon knoll about
five hundred yards from the creek
He was shading his eyes with his
hand as he looked earnestly along a
trail which ran away TO the southeast.
mo signs of the troops yet" he
muttered, as he rubbed his weary
eyes; ''good heavens! another day like
this and then"
Bang! zip! rang out the report of a
rifle, and bullet buried itself in the
wagon bed.
"A miss is as good as mile, my
beauties" said the soldier, for such
his dress showed him to be, though.
| ue dt'att dlbeI IIOIltub cOliSlutT
alton, "rd prefer the mile!"
! Instantly from the hills that lay
| about half a mile to the westward of
! the creek came the report of many
| rifles, and shower of bullets whistled
unpleasantly close to the foolhardy
soldier, who now, yielding to the en-
treaties of his comrades, slowly de
scended from the breastwork and en-
tered the corral. Inside the corral a
narrowing sight met his eyes. In
pit behind the hastily throw nup par
| apet lay number or wounded men
vainly calling for water, water" the
murmuring of which they could al
most hear as they lay there, suffering
from the agony of thirst augmented
by the pain Of their wounds. Their
faces were pale aid wan, their lips
were cracked and dry, and as the
sweltering sun beat upon their dying
forms they moved their heads uDeas
:ly from side to side, moaning feebly
water, waterr 1t was truly heart
rending scene.
So thought old Jones, the soldier
who had just descended from the
lookout; for striding over to where
the commanding officer stood he re
quested Col Mack to allow him to go
to the creek and obtain some water
for the wounded.
'Do you know that you will almost
certainly sacrifice your life in so do
ing" SAID the colonel, for the APP
proach to the creek was swept by the
enemy's fire.
why, sir, / allow that thar is
risk; but, Sir, they're sufferin' AWFUL
Jones returned, jerking his thumb
over his shoulder to indicate what he
meant by they
'W ell, then, since you will 90, my
brave fellow. may God protect your
the stern old soldier returned, his gray
eyes suffused with tears as he witness
ed this touching trait of trne heroism
in the private
Catching up a couple of buckets
jones clambered over the breastwork
and walked toward the creek as cool
and self possessed as If he were cross
ing parade ground. AS the enemy's
bullets plowed mp the ground IN front
and rear of him the hearts of his com
rades stood still. They held their
breath and grasped more tightly their
carbines as they watched the progress
of this daring soldier who was willing
to lay down his life if by so doing a
few wounded comrades might be ben
Gifted. Teaching the creek he filled
his buckets and returned. When
about half way to the camp he stop
ped and rested himself, calmly direct
ing his gaze toward the enemy's
lines, who seemingly astonished by
his coolness, withheld their fire and
allowed him to pass unmolested.
So the day wore on. Twice the In
dians had striven TO carry the camp
and twice had they been repulsed
But Col. Mack knew full well that he
could not possibly hold out another
day; his garrison was becoming weak
er. his ammunition and ratiOns were
running low, and the Indians having
received a re enforcement, were be
coming bolder. The latter, also. tax
ing advantage of the many washouts
which lay between the hills and the
camp, had approached to within 400
yards and were snbjecting it to most
CALLING fire, some of the bullets even
finding their way into the pit where
lay the wounded
Some one must go and find the
general" he muttered, "and yet | do
not care to detail man upon this
| dangerous service. Ill ask for vol
teer, and then it will be hard to de
eide among SO gallant a command"
| and a smile of pride curled up the
corners of his mouth, for the colonel
thonght--jnstly. perhaps-that no
body of men could equal his. So re
solving, he walked over to where the
men were receiving their rations of
one cracker and small case of raw
| bacon.
"My lads" began the colonel, in his
usual quiet tone, 1T is necessary that
| should tell You the state of affairs
Our rations and ammunition will not
last another twenty four hours. If
relief does not come before 9 o'clock
tonight it will be imperative for some
one 10 break through the enemy's
lines and try to reach the general,
who | believe is encamped somewhere
on Cache creek. Nov, l want vol
unteer. Who'll go?" aud as he finish
ed, for an instant stiffness fell upon
the men, but was almost Immediately
broken by shrill. boyish voice, fol
lowed by the deep bass of old Jack
Jones.
'I'll go, colonel" they chorused.
Here. again, the owner Of the falseuto
voice spoke up: Let me go. colonel;
Jones has family; / hain't," he con
cluded, as he rose to his feet and re
vealed the 1.-THE, slender form OF Viii
lie Scott, the trumpeter, and life OF
the - troop.
But, sir" broke in Jones, ''he is
only a boy. Let me go. colonel"
sRnf ~ int 4.