Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1899-10-13


held his fire for a few interminable
seconds.
Then they closed in, and one STUN
bled over Vicary's outstretched legs
before they could realize that two Brit
ish officers were within a yard of
them. Warrington felt the man grab
him as he fell, and fired with the bar
rel of his revolver touching bare skin.
After that he fired and slashed very
much at random, and the darkness
around him shrieked and howled and
spat fire, and long, graceful knives
suggested themselves to the imagin-
alton of the man who had seen them at
work before. For ten long
minutes Warrington was busy-won-
dering all the time what Weary was
doing down there between his legs, and
how he liked it, and which of them
would die first.
Then suddenly in a lull he heard
family a sound that sent the blood to
his head with a rush-the scraping Of
many boots over rocks hundreds OF
yards away. and the dim echo of a
word of command He shouted and
fired his last cartridge above his head
that they might see the flash. and flung
the empty weapon at a white eyeball
cut and pointed and slashed away with
renewed vigor. Down the valley and
over the rocks came a hoarse, breath
less cheer and pith helmets cleaned
family in the near distance. He an
swered the cheer with a croak and
went on carving and hacking as though
his foes still confronted him. But they
did not wait to meet his friends. They
left. All but five, to whom even Brit
ish troops were a matter of indifference
now, as they stayed behind, huddled
into the grim semi-circle around Lieu
tenant Warrington and Second Lieu
tenant Weary. When his men came
up to him they found him with Weary
in his arms leaning against the wall
of rock, looking, as Private Bill
more said, "as though ed 'ad a nasty
messy accident with reu paint"
Weary opened his eyes as he entered
the camp feet foremost.
Warrington, V. c." he said, and
tried to cheer. But the others did 1t
for him.
(2). At Home.
An afternoon in early November
cosey room, bright fire big armchairs,
piano, pipes, photographs and decan-
ters; male figure extended to enor-
Allouo lNl6th III OhC al lllNldllB WIN
feet stretched out on the hearthrug;
another male figure with back toward
the room. gazing out of window at the
unceasing rain. Thick clouds of to-
bacco smoke and silence.
"Of all the brutal, filthy, miserable
depressing days!" said the man at the
window, suddenly.
Weather seems to worry you, old
man." said the man by the fire, settling
down a little deeper into the depths
of his armchair. Third time in twen-
ty minutes you've got up to look at it
and talk about it,"
Sorry. Vic" said the other, and
turning, he came slowly toward the
fire. 81 must be lively company to-
day; but this weather seems to upset
one altogether"
mot me-" said Weary, blowing a
cloud. "Im pretty comfy, thanks. l
prefer rain in st. James to straight
in Chukundra."
The other did not answer, but stood
nervously opening and shutting his
hands over the cheerful blaze.
"By George!" said Weary, medita-
lively. "It seems almost like a dream
now-all but the souvenirs we carry
eh, Warry?"
Warrington's hand went up to the
livid band that ran across forehead,
nose and cheek, and almost bisected
his strong face.
zone comfort" Weary went on,
mine don't show. Not but what that
has its drawbacks" he added, with a
chuckle, mo one seems to believe they
touched me-think / got my sick leave
on the bounce. And l can't continual
ly strip to prove it"
Still his senior was silent. Weary
edged round a little to look at his face
Then his eyes opened and his voice
changed.
Warrington" he said, "d'you re-
member that very first dust up we had
the second day out from Kir Wallah?'
Warrington nodded.
"That was my first taste of the walk
up-and- d-down-as-a-targe business, " said
Weary. solemnly; "and | was in blue
funk. Couldn't help it. Knees all fab
by and face all twitchy when those bull
lets began whispering and pattering." "
Warrington laughed nervously.
81 gave you the right sort of a dress
ing down." he said.
1T pulled me through" said Vica-
ry; then, leaning forward, and still
more sOlemnly, Il say, what did look
like-all drawn up and ghastly?"
"a bit, admitted Warrington.
Look in the glass now" said Vica-
ry, in an awestruck voice, for Warning
ton was senior officer and brother and
Ajax and Wellington and Lord Rob-
| erts all rolled into one, in the subal-
terms estimation.
Warrington started, and looked not
at the glass, but at Weary.
You're right, young 'un," he said in
moment, and dropped into the other
armchair. I'm in an awful funk at
this very moment"
"Oh!" breathed Weary, and allowed
the amazing fact to sink into his con-
sciousness.
Fact" said Warrington, and drag
| ged at his moustache and gnawed the
end
In heavens name" said Ensign vi
cary, what are you frightened OFF"
"Of one little girl could pick up and
carry under one arm" said Lieutenant
Warrington, V. c.
Weary drew a long breath.
You gave me quite a turn" he said.
IT'S serious, boy" said the other
man, bending his long, gaunt body for
ward, his gray eyes all alight. Il
haven't the pluck to face her."
Manner" said Weary, judicially.
Rivers" said Warrington, with rev.
| erence; Catherine Rivers"
Pretty Kitty Rivers?" cried Weary,
| "Old man, l congratulate you"
Don't be a fool!" said Warrington,
| angrily, and walked to the window.
"On your good taste, of course" said
Weary, with a grin. rs 1t a bad
case?"