The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1898-08-18

atAhh vessels and the marines COM
manded by Lieut. WALTON. Of the Dial
math disembarked on the 10Th oppo
site sedhion, and marched immediate
ly on Sardiniert.
The village was strongly heI3 BY the
n~ativesi every mud hut was pierced
for the guns, ard as the column adj
yaucea q heavy fire was poured upon
it. The French commander sent on
the native volunteers first, then the
Spahis from Algeria, to see that the
volunteers did NOT run away, aud then,
in reserve, came the marines,
From every hut came flashes oflight
and puifs Of smoke, which hardly
hoated away but hung about on the
still air, and presently concealed the
village and those nearest to it. The
marines were moved up nearer. and
half Of them were led round to the
rear, just IN time TO see issuing from
the huts the desperate natives, who
fred upon their advancing foes, and
then turned and fed. The marines
opened Ere upon the fugitiyes, and
they, realizing that their retreat was
cut of, rushed back to the village only
to be met BY the merciess black voluu-
teers and the Spahis. Some of the un-
fortunate wretches advanced boldly
against the marines, killing one Of
them and wounding two others, but
they could not Withstand the heavy
fire directed against them, and the
few who were left alive fell upon their
knees and Frustrated themselves, cry
ing for quarter.
The French officers, by dint Of driy-
ing back their allies with threats and
blows, even shooting a few of them,
managed TO saye the lives of a small
remnant 81 the gallant foe, but most OF
them lay dead or desperately wounded
b. the time the firing had ceased, Gas
pard was sick at heart as be marched
past those grooming or silent bodies'
his comrades cheered aud laughed. but
it had come home to him with appall-
ing direetness thath he was a murderer
Never before had he seen bis position
4 clearly. In the excitement and the
confusion he had fired as he had been
taught to do, and two men, at least.
he had seen fail after he had aimed
at them, The fisher lad had not the
heart Of a soldier for an his courage.
and IA bis mind perpetually was the
cry: "Ihave slain a man to my wound.
ing, and a young man to my hurt
That day the yictors rested in the
captured village, and toward night the
women came from the country outside
and tried to carry Off the bodies Of
their men, waiting out their death
chants with an awful, piteous monot.
ony that depressed the most exuber-
ant Of the marines. Fascinated, yet
mortified, Gaspard watched their 1.-THE
dark forms as they tore their hair and
flung their arms above their heads IL
gestures Of wild grief, and wept over
their dead, One Of the women, who
was crouehed beside the body Of a fine
young warrior, turned upon Gaspard
as he passed and spat at him, utterina
words which, from her manner Of de.
liyering them, seemed to be curses
IGaspard wondered If that man has
died BY his hand. In his forehead
was a tiny wound, from which tbs
dark blood had oozed thickly and his
face wore a look of pain and anger
"Accursed be the weapons Of death.
accursed be the hired %murderers who
slay at the word Of command those
who have never harmed them!'
Gaspard looked AZ the woman; h'
met the full gaze Of her eyes Of hatred
Of savage agony and savage love, an6
he flung down his rife with a clattel
and marched on.
Private Aeudon, what means thisg
shouted sergt. CroiX. 20, pick "
your riHe!'
II shall not use it again, sergeant
Look at that womanl'
what have the black cattle to dt