The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-01-22

surprised and puzzled expression came over
his face. 1t was enough; would rather
have died a hundred deaths than have lost
Charlie good opinion, and up went and
cheered on my men, Again we advanced
in tOlerable order, but the fire of the
enemy was more severe than ever now
heavy musketry, and the artillery firing
grape; our men were falling fast on all
sides, though we were replying to the fire.
1t was more than / could bear, and
shook so that [ could hardly hold my
sword. In despair | looked again for
Charlie, and again l saw him bright and
CHEEKY as ever trying to encourage his
men-the next moment | saw him fall
The effect on me was instantaneous; fear
was absolutely gone; rage, fury, and an
intense desire to ayenge my comrade had
taken its place. Our men were hanging
back, as well they might, for their num-
berS were terribly thinned, and it was evi-
dent that till they were joined by the sup
ports, which were fast coming on, they
were not in sufficient numbers to take the
redOubt that was in our front [ rushed
to the front and called upon them if they
were lIn@lishmen, TO come on and drive
the Russians from the redoubt; and. being
joined minute afterwards by the second
line, all rushed on together, the remains
of my company keeping close together and
near to me. Where we were advancing.
we outfanked the redoubt; so we passed
it, and, wheeling round, entered By the
gorge, while others were climbing over
the rough parapet. Then eHSued a fierce
hand-to-hand fight, in the midst of which
a burly Russian made strong thrust at
me with his bayonet | parried the
thrust with my sword, with strength that
seemed perfectly irresistible, and getting
within his guard, ran him through the
body. | remember even now, with hor-
ror the force with which the hilt of my
sword struck against the poor fellow ribs;
butt the time there was onl y feeling of
stern JOY that one man at least had paid
the penalty for poor Charlie fall The
Russians were driven out Of the redoubt.
and fed in confusion fOr two or three hun
dred yards; then their officers succeeded
in rallying them, but doubtful stand,
and 1T was evident, even to my inexper-
enced eye, that nearly all the fighting was
knocked out Of them. They stayed long
enough, however, for rs once more to get
up to them, and again, well ahead Of my
men, [ plunged into their midst, but not
quite alone, for close by my side was Pri-
vate Jones. Indeed, the good fellow had
been sticking close to me all day, intent
upon nothing but saving my worthless life,
and during this last fight he did save it by
knocking aside the musket of Russian
just as he was pulling the trigger.
This second fight lasted scarcely min
ute but believe again used my sword
with deadly effect had Il loaded re-
volver in pouch at my belt, but never
used, it, never even thought of it. The
Russians broke again and fed, this time
in utter disorder, but we could not pursue
them closely. as an order was passed along
our front to halt and reform the ranks 1t
was time. We were nothing but an armed
mob. The ranks being reformed, we
again advanced but by this time the Rus
slams had diappeared over the crest Of the
hill, and we saw no more of them till we
gained the top. Then. indeed we saw
them at some distance bat to our sur
prise they were retiring again in good.
order. We exchanged a few volleys with
them till they were "ut Of range, but were
not allowed to pursue them farther-the
battle of the Alma was over
AS soon as there was any chance of my
request being granted, | asked leave (nOt,
indeed. of our dear old colonel, who was
lying grieyously wounded at the bottom of
the hill, but of the senior captain, who
now commanded what was left Of the regi-
ment) to fall out and look for poor Charlie,
as had still some faint hope that [ might
find him alive. He said he had no au-
thority to let anybody fall out, but he
could not refuse a request made by an
officer who had led his men as well as
had, and he hoped | should find the poor
fellow alive, and not much hurt. Lied
his men as well as | had little he knew
of all that had happened!
hurried down the hill, past the dread
full redoubt, full Of dead and dying, and
then a little father on found him-dead
lying on his back, with one arm stretch
ed upwards, as if appealing to Heaven
against being thus cut off in all the JOY Of
youth and strength; his bright, curly hair
dabbled i'll blood, his poor eyes open. He
had not even the peaceful expression that
many men have when suddenly killed III
battle; death had not come soon enough,
and he had had time to realize the horror
of it. The sight fairly maddened me. |
closed his eyes and composed his limbs,
and then, cursing war and the rulers who
brought it on us, | staggered back to my
regiment, | know not how.
That night | was struck down with
cholera, remembered nothing more till /
found myself being landed at Scutari.
The cholera left me alive, but so utterly
broken down in strength that the doctors
decided that my only chance of lite was to
be sent home Accordingly, [ was shipped
off to old England, and many long, weary
months passed while the struggle between
life and death went on At last health
and strength gradually returned, but by
the time was fit for duty the Crimean
war was just over Accordingly, | availed
myself of the opportunity of resigning my
commission without dishonor as / had
come to the conclusion that soldering was
not my vocation
Private Jones is now my head gardener
He loves his master, he loves his flowers,
and is the best servant [ ever had
Never Heard of a Woman with a
Frostbitten Ear