The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-07-19

"Get back Get back, you towards
you women. Right about face-column
IF companies, form-you hounds!
shouted the colonel, and the subalterns
,wore aloud. But the regiment wanted
| 10 go-to go anywhere out Of the range
sf those merciless knives Itswayed to
and fro irresolutely with shouts and out
cries, while from the right the Gurkhas
dropped volley after yolley of cripple
stopper Snider bullets at long range IN
to the mob Of the Ghszis returning to
their own troops
The Fore and Aft band, though pro-
tected from direct fire by the rocky
knoll under which it had sat down, fed
at the first rush. Jakir and Lew would
have fed also. but their short legs lett
them so yards in the rear, and by the
time the band had mixed with the regl-
ment they were painfully aware that
thev would have to close in alone and
unsupported.
esGet back to that rock" gasped
Jakin. 'sThey won't see us there. "
And they returned to the scattered
instruments of the band. their hearts
nearly bursting their ribs.
Here's a nice show for Us, said
Jakin, throwing himself full length on
the ground. "a bloonlin fine show for
British infantryl Oh, the devils!
They've gone an left US alone herei
Wot'u we dor
Lew took possession of a cast off wa
ter bottle, which naturally was full OF
canteen rum, and drank till he coughed
again
..Drinkl'' said he shortly. They'll
come back in minute or two-you
see. /"
Jakin drank, but there was no sign Of
the regiments return They could hear
dull clamor from. the head of the val
ley of retreat, and saw the Ghazis sink
back, quickening their pace as the
Gurkhas fired at them
sWe're all that's left CT the band,
an we'll be cut up as sure as death,
said Jakin.
tspn die game, then said Lew
thickly, fumbling with his tiny drum
mer's sword. The drink was working On
his brain as it was on Jakin's.
"'Old onl I know somethin better
than fghtin, said Jakin, stung by the
splendor of a sudden thought due
chiefly to rum 'sTip our bloomln COW
ards youder the word to come back The
Paythan beggars are well away Come
on, Levi We won't get hurt. Take the
fife al give me the drum. The old
Step for all your bloomin CUTS are
WORTH There's few O. our men COM
in back now. Stand up, you drunken
little defaulterl By your right-qulck
march,
He slipped the drum sling over his
shoulder, thrust the fife into Lewis
hand, and the two boys marched out of
the cover Of the rock into the open,
making hideous hash Of the first bars
of the "British Grenadiers. "
AS Lew had said, few Of the Fore
and Aft were coming back sullenly and
shamefacedly under the stimulus of
blows and abuse Their red coats shone
at the head of the valley, and behind
them were wavering bayonets But be-
tween this shattered line and the enemy,
who with Afghan suspicion feared that
the hasty retreat meant an ambush
and had not moved therefore, lay half
mile of level ground dotted only by
the wounded.
The tune settled into full swing, and
the boys kept shoulder to shoulder,
Jakin banging the drum as one pos
sessed. The one fife made thin and
pitiful saueaking, but the tune carried
far, even to the Ghllrkhas.
..Come OF. you dogs!' mdttered
Jakin to himself. Are we to play for
ever?'' Lew was staring straight in
front of him and marching more stiffiy
than ever he had done on parade
And in bitter mockery Of the distant
mob the old tune of the old line shrilled
and ratified:
Some talk of Alexander
And some of Hercules,
Of Hector and Lysander
And such great names as these!
There was farof clapping of hands
from the Gurkhas and a roar from the
highlanders in the distance, but never
shot was fired by British or Afghan
The two little red dots moved forward
in the open parallel to the enemy's
front
But OF all the worlds great heroes
There's none that cen compare
With a tow-row TOW -row-row-row.
To the British grenadierl
The men Of the Fore and Aft were
gathering thick at the entrance into the
plain. The brigadier on the heights far
above was speechless with rage. Still
no movement from the enemy The day
staid to watch the children.
Jakin halted and beat the long roll
of the assembly while the fife sGuealed
despairingly.
Right about facel Hold up, Lew;
you're drunk" said Jakin. They
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