The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-07-05

themselves at revolver practice But
there was CONSERVATION in the hearts of
Jakin and Lew. What was to be done
with the drums? Would the band go to
the front? How many of the drums
would accompany the regiment?
They took counsel together, sitting in
a tree and smoking.
Its more than bloomin toss up
they'll leave us be'ind at the depot with
the women. You,,ii like that" said
Jakin sarcastically.
"'Cause O. Girls, you mean? Wot's a
woman, or ole bloomin depot O.
women, 'longside O. the chanst O field
service? You know I'm as keen on go
in as you, said Lew.
''TTish T was bloomin bugler, "
said Jakin sadly. They'll take Tom
Kidd along, that can plaster wall
with, an like as not they won't take
u.s.
s'Then let's go an make Tom Kidd so
bloomin sick e can't bugle no more.
You 'old ';s 'ands an I'll kick him.
said Lew, wriggling on the branch.
'.That amt no good, neither. We
amt the sort O. characters to presoon
on our rep tations They're bad. If they
have the band at the depot, we don t
go, an no error there. If they take the
band, we may get cast for medical un-
fitness Are you medical ft, Piggy7"
said Jakin, digging Lew in the ribs
with force.
"Yus," said Lew, with an oath.
.'The doctor says your carts weak
through smokin on an empty stum-
mick. Throw a chest, an III try
yer.
Jakin threw out his chest, which
Lew smote with all his might. Jakin
turned very pale, gasped, crowed,
screwed up his eyes and said, 'sThat's
all right.
sYou'n do, said Lew. eve 'eard
O. men dyin when you it 'em fair on
the breastbone. :"
'sDon't bring US no nearer goin,
though" said Jakin. "Do you know
WuGIC VIC 10 OAOOACo
"Gawd knows, an e won't split on
a pal Somewheres up to the front to
kill Paythans- hairy big beggars that
turn you inside out if they get old O.
you. They say their women are good
lookin too. y
.Any loot?' asked the abandoned
Jakin.
"Not bloomin anna, they say, un-
less you dig up the ground an see what
the niggers ave id. They're poor
lot. y Jakin stood upright on the branch
and gazed across the plain.
.'Lew," said he, ''there's the colonel
comm. Colonel's a good old beggar.
Let's 60 an talk to i'm. -
Lew nearly fell out of the tree at the
audacity of the suggestion. Like Jakin,
he feared not God, neither regarded he
man, but there are limits even to the
audacity of drummer boys, and to speak
to colonel was
But Jakin had slid down the trunk
and doubled in the direction of the colo
mel. That officer was walking, wrapped
in thought and visions Of G. B.-yes,
even K. C. B., for had he not at COM
mand one of the best regiments Of the
line-the Fore and Fit? And he was
aware of two small boys charging down
upon him. Once before it had been SOL
emnly reported to him that "the drums
were in state Of mutiny, " JakiD and
Lew being the ringleaders. This looked
like an organized conspiracy.
The boys halted at 20 yards, walked
to the regulation four PAGES and saluted
together, each as we'll set up as ram
rod and little taller.
The colonel was in a genial mood, the
boys appeared very forlorn and unpro-
tected Oh the desolate plain. and one Of
them was handsome.
"Well!' said the colonel, recognizing
them. ''Are you going to pull ne down
in the open2 I'm sure I never interfere
with you, even though he shifted sus-
piciously-"you have been smoking"
It was time tc strike while the iron
was hot. Their hearts beat tumultuous-
1y.
"Beg your pardon, sir, began Jakin.
1.-The reg ment's ordered on active serv-
ice, sir
$50 believe, said the colonel cour-
teously.
els the band goin, sir?" said both to-
gether. Then, without pause, "We're
poin. sir. ain't we?''
"You!'' said the colonel, stepping
back the mere fully to take in the two
small figures. "You! You d die in the
first march.
"No, we wouldn't, sir. We can
march with the regiment anywheres
p'rade an anywhere else, said Jakin.
eff Tom Kidd goes, ell shut up like
clasp knife, said Lew. ''Tom as very
close veins in both is legs. sir"
Every how much p
"Very close veins, sir. That's why
they swells after long p'rade, sir. If e
can go, we can go, sir.
Again the colonel looked at them long
and intently.
~ IL ,,;J oe