The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-05-05

s'Get back Get back, you cowards-
you womenl Right about face-column
of companies, form-you hounds'
shouted the colonel. and the subalterns
swore aloud. But the regiment wanted
to go-to go anywhere out of the range
of those merciless knives. Itswayed to
and fro irresolutely with shouts and out
cries, while from the right the Gurkhas
dropped volley after volley of cripple
stopper Snider bullets at long range in
to the mob Of the Ghazis 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. Jakin and Lew would
have fled also, but their short legs left
them so yards in the rear. and by the
time the band had mixed with the regi-
ment they were painfully aware that
unsupported.
''Get back to that rock" gasped
sakin. '"They 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 u.s., said
Jakin throwing himself full length ON
the ground. "a bloomin fine show for
British infantryl Oh, the devilsl
They've gone an left us alone here!
Wot'll we do p
Lew took possession of cast off wa
ter bottle, which naturally was full of
canteen rum, and drank till he coughed
again.
DRINK said he shortly. "They' IL
see.
Jakin drank, but there was no sign of
the regiments return. They could hear
a dull clamor from the head of the val
ley of retreat, and saw the Ghazis stink
back. quickening their pace as the
Gurkhas fired at them
Were all that's left CT the band,
an We'll be cut up as sure as death.
said Jakin
''I'll die game, them" 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 know somethin better
than tightin. said Jakin, stung by the
splendor of a sudden thought due
chiefly to rum. Tip our bloomin cow
ards yonder the word to come back. The
Paythan beggars are we'll away. Come
on, Lew! We won't get hurt. Take the
fife ain give me the drum. The odd
Step for all your bloomin CUTS are
worthl There's few O. our men COM
in back now. Stand up. you drunken
little defaulter! By your right-quick
march'
He slipped the drum sling over his
shoulder. thrust the fife into Lew
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 We're 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 squealing, but the tune carried
far, even to the Ghurkhas.
'sCome on. you dogs!' muttered
Jakin to himself. care we to play for
ever?" Lew was staring straight in
front of him and marching more stif1ly
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 I.ysander
And such great names as these!
There was faroff clapping of hands
from the Gurkhas and roar from the
highlanders in the distance. but never a
shot was fired by British or Afghan
The two little red dots moved forward
al tuc OpcA pdIdlle1 W Gu0 enemy s.
front
But Of all the worlds great heroes
There's none that can compare
With a tow row row 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 squealed
despairingly.
Fright about facet Hold up. Lew
you re drunk" said Jakin. They
wheeled and marched back.
Those heroes of antiquity
Meier saw cannon ball
Nor knew the force O. powder
Here they comel" said Jakin. go
on. Levi
To scare their foes withall
The. Fore and Aft were pouring out
of the valley. What officers had said to
men in that time Of shame and humili-