The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-02-17

after them, and take some prison
! ers!" Morgan roared.
| was Immediately left in a little
clear space, with only Mr.. lynn and
Mac Tvrach near at hand. The others
had made dash after the flying Span
iards.
My two companions, like myself,
were unhurt. In this respect they
were more fortunate than 20 or so of
our mates. Nine or ten of these were
killed outright, and the others were
doubled up with pain or sitting about
bloody and bewildered.
The smoke gradually thinned out,
and | looked toward the city | saw
the Spaniards slowly but doggedly re-
treating, stopping at intervals to
wheel and fire desultory volley. Our
advance men were at their heels, but
did not pursue far, for, having taken
five or six prisoners, they let go a part
ing shot or two and returned.
Morgan now harangued us briefly,
saying that victory was assuredly
within our reach, and that we had but
to put forth one more effort to secure
it. This speech being well received, he
left guard of 200 with the wounded.
and also to act as reserve, and led
the rest to the attack. Mr.. lynn. Mac
lvrach and myself were included in
this assaulting party.
We marched directly toward the
enemy, and at once received their fire,
losing ten or twelve in killed and sew
eral wounded. Then. of sudden, Nor
gan sprang to the right, and we, wheel.
ing after him. he led us almost at a run
from the road into the meadow. inn
mediately perceived what he would
do, which was to avoid the forts and
this strong front of the town, and at
tack weaker place. TO effect this he
had feigned to make an assault, there
by holding the main force of the enc
my where it was.
1t was soft footing, and we ran
rather heavily but still we were max
ing some progress when the foe
trained their cannon on us, and though
we were in loose formation they
brought down well-nigh n score Their
musketeers also made forward and
fired, and before we had proceeded 90
yards farther it seemed that not fewer
than 100 buccaneers were either slain
or wounded
This could not last. The enemy was
having it ell his own way. and unless
we could turn upon him soon he would
hay US all dead or drive us off the field
y man In front of me swung ont and
lelI sldewise on the grass. A ball
struck the stock of Mac lvrach's mus.
ket' and as ] turned my head to make
sure that Mr.. lynn was safe felt a
sharp spitetul rap on my own head.
piece
Paul CRADLE was little way on my
right and he had begun to swear when
shout went up from those in front
ana with great suddenness the whole
command came to halt. | saw three
or iCur OF the captains running out
into the held' and in moment their
several commands were following
them' and now we were wheeled short
and faced toward the city.
sort OF growl OF relief and satisfac.
tloh went round, for at last this play
ing as living targets was over. We
looked TO our priming and brought
forward our bandoliers.
Keep close!' cried Mr.. Tym in my
ear. This will be the most desperate |
business OF ALL"
Whlte arms and pieces of eight"
roared Paul Cradle.
AYE aye!' shouted a man near me.
The trumpets sounded quicker note,
ana we broke into run.
could glance between the heads
In front of me and see what sort of place
we were approaching. Five or six little
nuts stood out in front, some paddocks
or cattle yards ran along in the rear,
and still back of these was long, low
stone building. The fiat roof of this
was mounted with cannon. and behind
the rails of the paddoclcs were the
crouching figures of soldiers. A troop
of horse was drawn up at the right