The National tribune., 1899-08-24

ALI Russell. as other companies of rebels
came galloping through over the crest,
Whlle the first arrivals began throwing
down the fences. preparatory to a charge.
Yes, there's about rijimint." 81 an
swered cooily: we'll need the most o. Co.
Q to tend TO them. Here they come"
Sergeant, what's all this disturbance
lOur Kicking up IN camp said Capt Nc
6illlcuddy playfully, as ne deployed Co. @.
can't ySu take a quiet walk out into tie
country, without stirring up the whole
ncighto-tood?"
They seem to've bin at home and ex-
pectin' us: Cap" grinned 81. as he
pointed TO the augmenting swarm of horse
men.
There does seem To be tolerably full
house" answered the Captain with q shrug.
Well, the more the merrier. Boys. shoot
down those fellows who're tearing down the
fences. That'll stop any rush on us, and
We'll develop their force"
ITS developing itself purity fast, if [
mistake not. There comes another TiI-
Mint remarked 81.
The firing grew pretty noisy.
81 was delighted to see how naturally his
boys took to their work. After the first
furry of excitement at confronting the yell
ing. galloping horde. they crouched down
behind their fence-corners, and loaded and
fred as deliberately as the older men.
What sort of breach of the peace is this
ou tiiC Sdpt-
asked Col. McIntire, coming up at the head
of the 20Oth Ind. And do you want some
accomplices?"
'T believe If you'll give me another COM
pany | can make a rush across there and
scatter those fellows" answered the Cap
tain
"AIl right Take Co. A. Push them as
far as you can. for the orders are to develop
their strength at once. I'll follow close
behind and help you develop, if you need
me-"
An instant later the two companies
ing transformation in the rebels minds
from charging to being charged. The
rebels were caught before they could com
plete their formation. There was a brief
tumult of rushes and shots and yells, and
they We're pushed back through the woods,
with some losses in killed and wounded and
stampeded horses.
ST had led his squad straight across the
field, against a group engaged in pulling
down the fence. They We're caught with
out their arms. and two We're run down and
captured. Palpitating with success, the
boys rushed over to where the regiment was
gathering itself together at the edge Of the
woods on the brow of the ridge.
Why don't they go ahead? What're
they stoppin' for? The whole riImints
up" 81 asked, with d premonition OF some
thing wrong.
well, / should say there was something
TO stop for" answered Shorty, as they
arrived where they could see, and found the
whole country in front Swarnning with rebel
cavalry as far as their eyes could reach.
Great Scott" mutteIed 81, with troubled
face, for the sight was appalling. rs the
whole ConfedeEacy out there on hossbackY'
20, my, do we have TO fight all themy
whimpered little Pete, scared as much by
the look on Shor;y's face as at the array.
Shut up, Pete said Shorty petulantly.
Oh Ill fr1, hal hot Oh GEpd
through the woods with frightful noise.
Cit behind this stump here, and lay your
gun acrost it. I'll stand beside you. Don't
shoot till you've a bead on a man. Keep
quiet and listen to orders.
A rebel brigade was rapidly preparing to
charge. 1t stretched out far beyond the
flanks OF the regiment.
Steady, meni Keep cool" rang out the
clear. calm voice of the Colonel. Don't
fire till they come to that little run in the
field, and then blow out the center OF that
gang"
The brigade swept forward with terrific
yell. ST walked behind his squad, and saw
that every muZzle was depressed to the
proper level.
The brigade came on grandly, until they
reached the rivulet, and then scorchlng
blast broke out from the muzZles of the
2OOth Ind. which made them reel and halt.
Yells of Close up, Alabamians" This
way, Tennesseeansp Form on your
colors, Georgians!" came from the rebels as
the boys reloaded. Then all sounds were
drowned in the rafting musketry, as the
rebels began hot fire from their saddles, in
answer to the Union musketry.
Captain, they are moving out a brigade
on either flank to take us In the rear said
Col. Mcintire calmly to Capt McGillicuddy.
We'll have to fall back to the brigade.
Pass the word along to retire slowly, firing
as we go. The brigade must be near. You
had better move your company over toward
the right, to meet any attack that may
come from that direction. I'll send Co. A
toward the other flank"
It was perilous movement to make in
front of such overwhelming force. But the
smoke cIlrtained the manuver and the rebels
only discovered it by the dirninution of the
fire in their front. Then they and the
f1anking brigades came On with ringing
yells, and it seemed that the regiment was
to be swept off the face of the earth. The
2OOth Ind. was not to be scared by yells,
however, and sent such CALLING fire from
front and tanks, that the rebel advance lost
its rushing impetus. The regiment was
reaching the edge of the woods The clear
fields would give the rebel cavalry its
chance.
The colonel's clear penetrating tones
rang above the turmoil:
Attention, 20oth Ind! Every man for
himself across the fields. Rally on the
fence beyond"
Shorty, whose face had been scratched
by bullet, took little Pete by the hand.
Now, run for it. my boy. as you never run
before in your life. Hold on to your gun"
There was a wild rush, through a torrent
of bullets, across the cleared space, and as
he jumped the fence. 81 was rejoiced to see
his squad all following him, with Shorty
Raging little Pete in the rear.
They had scarcely struck the ground be-
yond, when it shook with the crash of artil-
lery on the knoll above. and six charges Of
double canister tore wickedly into the surg
ing mass of rebel cavalry.
The Double Canister Battery got up Jest
in the nick O. time" gasped Shorty, as he
showed little Pete down behind big log.
.'It generally does, though"
'.I'm glad the brigade wasn't q mile off"
puffed ST, listening with satisfaction to the
long line of rifles singing tenor to the heavy
bass of the cannon.
"Capt. McGillicuddy," said the Colonel,
Il ordered you TO develop the enemy's
strength. Has it occurred to you that yoq
somewhat oyerdid the thing?"
CTo be continued.)