Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-08-12

proud, soldierly dignity, but was
silent. When the attack came, he
was first in the fight and it was
then that the lieutenant, who had
shone rs society man, began TO
show the white feather He failed
To go To the front with his men and
kept IA much out of range of bull
let's and arrows as possible.
1t was George, his stony silence
broken only by the cNigcncy of the
moment, who suggested the grove
as the proper place To make the
stand. 1t was he who proposed that
the broastwOrk IL thrown up from
the stones and sand. HcCvCn direct
cd the operation, for the command
ing officer was stupctird and dumb
with fear.
When the rc-CntOrCemcntS or In
dams came and the fight was raging
hot, it was the private soldier who,
by his manly, unscliish courage,
inspired his companions to mako
battle against such overwhelming
odds. All the while tho COwarClly
lieutenant, with pale lips and trcm-
bling form, was crOuchcd under tho
stagecoach, not tutoring word or
taking any part i'll the conflict
Lieutenant Marks, said sweet,
musical voice at his side during n
lull i'll the conflict, "why do You not
go to the front with your men2"
II am i'll, Miss Sommels. Indeed
am very i'll. l can hardly stand
upon my feet" answered the lieu
tenant And to prove that he was
correct he lay at full length ON the
ground.
You were not i'll two hours ago. +"
"No, this has been worry sudden
and very unfortunate indeed. If
were we'll, I could drive off those
rascally Indians, but really am not
able to hold up my head" And it
seemed as if he would burrOw his
head III the sand.
Lieutenant Marks, you arc Il cow
ard - cried the brave girl indignant
ly. You are n disgrace to tho serv-
ice"
He began to lament in Il pitiablo
manner, and she turned away and
ran to the side of George Stone, who
stood boldly erect by the imperfect
breastwOrk firing at the SavagcS,
who were pouring storm of bullets
about him. Laying one little hand
on his shoulder she said:
"Mr. Stone, it is not right that
you should endangcr your life"
He turned his pale, stern face up
on her and spoke to her for the first
time since he had worn the uniform
of n soldier
Miss Sommers, this is no place
for you"
Nor il it any place for YOU" she
answered
Il am II soldier, and it is my duty
to die"
And am ono whom you arc de
Tending, 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 ex-
pose your lifc-more precious than
that of any other in the party"
He was touched by her words.
They appealed to his heart. A mois-
ture 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 MOVIE Re
member, death is n great lcveler,
and we are facihg DEATH
Mary, / must defend you" he
said. Il would defend you evcn if /
were not II soldier, and l must in
spire these others by my example"
Better let any of them expose
their lives than your she answered
in voice of melting tenderness.
1T would be fatal to shirk duty
now-the act of the coward. Is il
not better that we take the only
chance we have of defending our
lives than to die u coward 5 deathl'
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 cndan-
gering 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"
His reason and entrcaty prevailed,
and she was induced to seek the
most sheltered place III the Enclosure
when the Indians made their next
charge on the rude earthwork.
They are coming again, boys"
cried the brave private. NOW, re-
member that it is better to die
brave man than Il coward. Don't
waste shot. Our only hope lies i'll
making bold, stubborn rcsistance."
The soldiers, who looked upon
him as their natural leader, silently
nodded assent.
Hero they Gomez cried Mr.. Bull
lard, one of the passengers, who
had seized tho rifle of Il dead sol
der. Great God! What tornado
of hoofs and eadsr'
They raise Il storm" said Mr..
Leads, another traveller.
There's Il thousand of them"
Were done for, Bullard!'
'Wen, let us die game if we are"
STEADY all!' cried George Stone.
Now, take careful aim. Don't any
Of you waste lead on tho big chief
with rcd feathers.