The National tribune., 1898-11-17

ecu - wish it would change the
scenery.
o. the top OF the hill between the two
videtS lay the rest OF the squad. under
the shade of the oaks, each trying after
his own fashion TO occupy the weary
hours. Two or three lying on The messy
carpet, with their caps over their eyes,
were trying, with poor success, TO sleep.
Some were playing a languid game of
euchre for suffer checks with a pack OF
cards they knew as well by the backs as
by the faces. O'Neil was rubbing out
with a pine stick some blemisheS that
nlarred the luster Of his eun-barrel Stock
was preparing a mixture Of potatoes and
onions, pork and broken bareback, for
supper. Waiter read for the hundrcdth
, time a piece OF absurd, yellow bound
literature entitled Pauline Of the Po-
t0nlac. or Gen. McCiellan'S Spy
IN the oven-lille valley at the foot Of the
hill line OF whige-cOyered army wagons,
laden with ammunition. TatiOnS and SUIT
Ter stores for an outlying brigade, crawled
slowly along with the normal amount Of
oaths by the persPiring drivers OF the
weary mules.
May the diviI ny away with me-" said
O'Neii, regarding critically the spot he
had been furnishing; may old Cloven-
foot take my body and boots If / don't
think that both the Government and the
ribils hey forgot Us intoireiy.'
I'm afraid OF il myself said Walter,
fiinging the trashy book away; If some
thing don't happen Wen die Of hamilton
More likely we'll be ct up by these
drafted woodticks," growled Stock, pick
ing from his brawny arm one OF the bur
rowing torments, and doing it with great
care, TO prevent malignant sore.
Say, you refused clubs, when | led my
left-bower, that last round said one OF
the euchre players.
Bang Bang
1t was the guns Of the two boys on
guard. All sprang TO their feet, buckled
on caTtridge-boxes, and formed facing the
direction OF the sounds. The two boys
were coming back on a run. Close be
hind, squirting their horses forward and
firing rapidly at the fugitiyeS, came
squad of rebel horsemcn, and behind
these were the solid ranks Of nearly
regiment of cavalry.
The Yidets sprang up to the crown of the
hill where their comrades stood and fell at
their feet exhausted by their efforts to
escape. AS they did so O'Nell ordered,
| Fire" and the 10 muskets OF the squad
sent volley into the pursuers that
threw several from their saddles and
checked the advance of the party. The
rest Of the rebels threw down the fence TO
the left of the road and went into line in
the field, opening fearful fire from their
saddles.
"Bys, it's the train they're afther
We've got TO stick here as long as there's
a man left. An, faith, Oh don't know
any betther place TO die" said O'Neii, as
he wiped his flushed face, that was boil
ing with heat and perspiration.
The rebel line was riding forward at a
slow walk and stretching its left out
farther every minute, feeling around for
the flank and rear of the piclzet-post.
"rhat swamp'll keep them from pass
ing US on the right" said Walter; 81
thought of that when | chose the post and
Oh af,,ft A N
| through there, let alone a horse"
The bullets were singing over their
heads like a swarm of bees and pattering
on the hilIaide like hailstones. Two men
had received flesh wounds, but they tied
Lem up with pieces OF their shirts and
were uSI--S their muskets bravery. The
two rickets had recovered from their Ia
| tiEue and were in line, with five boys who
had been with the train, and with that
natural promptness 10 render assistance
10 comrades which is one OF the noble
characteristics Of Our volunteer soldiery,
into battle-line beside the others.
This made II muskets, but they were
still inadequate 10 reply TO the 300 shot
guns of the rebels. There was one adj
vantage, however, the muskets out
ranged the shotguns so much as 20 make
the advance cost the ASSISTANTS much
more damage than they were inficting
upon the plucky defenders.
On they came, yelling fieTcely Two of
the squad fell dead. ONeil and Walter
looked and felt desperate. The train was
galloping away with cumbrous haste, but
all the distance il could gain would avail
il nothing if the rebel cavalry could get by
the picket-post.
Now the rebels were so near that their
shot-guns were Of deadly effect, and |
O'Nei saw six OF his men struck down at |
once. lie shouted to the rest to take TO |