The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-05-21


my friends, that powder must be pro-
cured, orwe are lost. It is perilous
Interchangeable, in all probility,
whoever makes the attempt will lose
his life, and SO I will detail no one to
the duty-but if there is any one here
brave enough to volunteer, I will o.
cept his services; aud if he falls, and
we escape, we will remember his name
and do it honor; and if he saves us,
and is saved with us, our blessings
shall be upon him through life. Is
there any one present who will volun-
teer to go into the very jaws of death?"
-Four young men instantly spring
forward, and, almost in the same
breath, each exclaims:
II will go!"
"But we can spare but one of you,
my noble lads!" said the Colonel,
while his features flush, and his dark
eyes sparkle with pride, at the self
sacrificing bravery Of his young COM
rades. (which shall it be?"
II spoke first" cries one.
Ono, no, joint was ahead of
you"
"No, Abe-no such thing"
s'I will leave it to the Colonel, if he
didn't hear my voice first of any!"
cries third.
IT was before you, Joe; I call all
here to witness!" exclaims the fourth.
"Ho! listen to Robert was first,
tell you'll" cries Joe.
'No, I was irst!" cries John. "You
know I was, Colonel!'
''But I tell you I am going-for I
can run the fastest, and therefore will
stand the best chance of getting back
alive!" cries Abe.
IT can run as fast as the best, and
I'm much stronger than either Abe,
Joe or Robert" says John, laying his
hand on the Colonel's arm. ''Let
me go-do! And besides, I've got no
mother or sister to mourn for me if
fall!'
"There!" cries one of the others
, che talks as if he might fall! and I'm
sure could get back safely"
Look at their flushed faces, and
eager, sparkling eyes, as thus they
I wrangle for the privilege Of being
permitted to go forth to almost certain
, death For the chances are that he
who leaves the fort for tho village will
never return alive. And listen to the
murmurs of appreciation which come
q from the surrounding circle of females
: A mother looks fondly on her som
sister looks proudly on her brother
q ana maiden's heart swells with emo
= tions unspeakable as she hears hin
who is the light and life Of her worlt
!. boldly contend for the right Of being
1 allowed to go forth into peril from
a which most men would shrink aghast
"Come! comet" chides the Colonel
a at length, speaking almost sternly t
the now angry disputants-"you vii
4 ruin all, unless some of you yield
a for the Indians may renew hostilitie
: at any moment, and then we are lost
! indeed. You are all brave, noble fe]
! lows and i / could spare four, 70,
: should al go; but as it is, three Q
: you must give way to the fourth; an
- 1 pray you do so speedily, for time
j, precious.
;. II will never yield!" cries one.
"Nor IT. exclaims second.
- II will go, if I have to scale til
= ~ walls to get out" said third.
: "Colonel, I am the strongest an
- Aeetest, and was the first to accel
= your offer; and I demand, therefore
:; that you settle the dispute by sendin
>, mel"
" Look! In the circle Of men, wome
If and children that are now promiso'
IS ously gathered around these no
10 eager, passionate youths, do you Of
o serve one human face that wears
70. very singular oxpression-that seen
j, to be animated by some strange an
n. powerful emotions? 1t is the face
in q young girl, about whom there is 6
air of reinement-seen in the graz
he Of attitude, dress and general d
es meanor-which contrasts rather fo
OF chilly with many of her coarse-festure
II. rustic companions. But I wish y
t. to observe that face particularly, n
in alone for its beauty, but to mark Il
he expression of noble, lofty, hero
en- resolve which is settling upon it! ]
re you see the head gradually straighte
ng ing back, as if with pride? Do y
ms see those dark, bright eyes kline
X. with the almost fanatical enthusiast
jul of daring self.sacriice? Do you
ps. the warm blood spring upward to t
* temples, and broad, Wits torches
ed and finally settle in bright, red 81
ire upon either soft, downy chs2 as
cir the passion-fires of mighty soul W
,m already burning within? Do you I
tho thin nostrils of a slightly aquilj
ant nose gradually dilate, and the tn
,ci- determined lips gradually close o
in those white, even teeth?
bo Tharai she moves: and mark