Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-07-06

have fed also, but their short legs lief
them 80 yards in the rear, and by th,
time the band had mixed with the regi
ment they were painfully aware thai
they would have to close in alone ant
unsupported.
''Get back TO that rock - gasped
Jakin. 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 us, " said
Jakin, throwing himself full length on
the ground. "A bloomin fine show for
British Infantry Oh, the devils
They've gone an left us alone herel
Wot Il we do r.
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
come back in minute or two-you
see.
Jakin drank. but there was no sign Of
the regiment 5 return. They could hear
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 of the band,
an Wen be cut up as sure as death,
said Jallin
I'm die game, then, said Lew
thickly, fumbling with his tiny drum
mer sword. The drink was working on
his brain as it was on Jakin's
Old onl l know somethin better
than tightin, said Jakin. stung by the
splendor of a sudden thought due
chiefly to rum. Tip cur bloomin cow
ards yonder the word to come back The
Paythan beggars are well away. Come
on, Lew We won't get hurt Take the
fife an give me the drum. The odd
Step for all your bloomin guts are
worth There's few O. our men COM
in back now. Stand up, you drunken
little defaulterl BY your right-quick
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 a 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 u
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
a 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 squeaking. but the tune carried
lar, even to the Ghurkhas
Come on, you dogsr muttered
Jakin to himself "Are we TO play for
,verT' Lew was staring straight in
ront of him and marching more stiffly
han ever he had done on parade. /
And in bitter mockery of the distant
mob the old tune Of the old line shriIled
md ratified A
Some talk Of Alexander
And some Of Hercules,
OF Hector and Iysander
And such great names as thesel
There was a faroff clapping of hands
rom the Gurkhas and roar from the
ighlanders in the distance, but never
hot was fired by British or Afghan.
he two little red dots moved forward
n the open parallel to the enemy's
ront
But Of all the worlds great heroes
There's none that can compare
With tow rOw -row-row-row-row
To the British grenadierl
The men Of the Fore and Aft were
altering thick at the entrance into the ,
lain. The brigadier on the heights far ,
bove was speechless with rage. Still .
0 movement from the enemy The day ,
aid to watch the children. :
Jakin halted and beat the long roll :
the assembly. while the fife squealed !,
Right about facet Hold up, Lew; y
on re drunk said Jakin. They :
heeled and marched back
Those heroes q antiquity
Ne'er saw a cannon bali ;
Nor knew the force o. powder
Here they comet said Jakin Go g
D, Levi
To scare their foes withsll e
The Fore and Aft were pouring ont b
the valley. What officers had said to b
en- in that time Of shame and humili- S,
ion will never be known. fer neither o
Ulcers nor men speak of il now. &
They are coming anew'' shouted 81
lest among the Afghans "Do not kill fC
e boys Take them alive and they t,
all be Of our faith W
But the first volley had been fired. f
ID Lew dropped ON his face. Jakin W
God for a minute, spun round and col A
psed. as the Fore and Aft came for b.
ard, the maledictions Of their officers n
their ears and in their hearts the al
anne Of open shame
Half the men had seen the drummars N
e, and they made no sign They did CO
L even shout They doubled ont III
raight across the ulaip in omen order h,