The National tribune., 1899-03-23
CHAPTER LXI.

The night following the explosion OF the
mine was terrible one. Both sides
clung desperately to the ground they held
and wrestled fiercely to gain another yard.
They were so close together that rifles
ceased 10 be Of use, and they beat each
other savagely with stones, clubs ana
what other missiles they could lay their
hands on. The rebels were at last driven
out OF the ragged crater. and the few un-
hurt escaped TO the fort above.
The Union soldiers could not, with the
most determined efforts, force their way
beyond the embankn2entS OF this. 30
continuous and accurate was the fire that
swept the summit Of the parapet that no
rebel dared show his head above the bank,
but he could still lie behind it and roll
lighted shells down the front TO explode
in the ranks OF The aSsaiiants. Supplies
of hand -grenadeS were sent up to the
latter TO reply with. These were small
shrapnel shells about the size Of goose
egg and filled with buckshot. They had
pasteboard wings like the feathers OF an
arrow, TO direct their flight, and they eX-
ploded when the percussion in them
touched a hard substance. frequently
they failed 10 burst in the rebel lines and
were picked up and thrown back with
fearful effect.
This was the condition of affairs when
morning dawncd and brought about a
cessation OF the fight in the Immediate
vicinity of the crater but it was taken up
by the SharpShootcrS on the main lines,
who explored the rebel works for the head
Of an enemy.
During the night the File had been
lucky enough 10 secure refuge in a cTevice
Of the crater, which afforded them oppor-
tunities for firing on the rebels above, and
was out Of the path of the shells rolled
down the bank. They knew they had
done effective work, for several times dur
ing the night exClamations from those
inside followed their shots, and the shells
kept rolling closer 10 their hole, showing
that the besieged were making an effort TO
dislodge them. They dog a little furrow
around the upper edge OF the crevice with
their bayoncts and hands, and in this
way turned aside two or three shells
hurled at them by vigorous arm. They
redoubled their watch on the crest OF the
parapet, to silence if possible the over
attentive enemy.
But it was not in human flesh and
blood to bear up longer against the strain
that had lasted for hours. In spite OF the
dangers and the efforts Of their wills they
could not prevent their eyelids gluing
together as the stars began going down in
the west. Bronson leaned against the
Jagged side Of the cTevice and his head
fell over on his breast. Walter, kneeling
down with his cooked rife resting on a
bowlder, and aimed at the summit of the
works, closed his eyes and slept. his
cheek pressing against the butt Of his
gun. Slumber had Overtakcn Karl as he
was ramming cartridge down, and he sat
with his left hand grasping the muzzle OF
his gun and his right the rammer forced
halfway down the barrel. Stock, with a
piece OF hardtack in one hand and meat
in the other. snored stertorously.
The dawn was Just Frightening into day
and the outlines Of objects were losing
the distortions OF the darkness TO take on
the familiar look of the day. stalwart
rebel sprang upon the crest Of the parapet
as If in defiance OF the consequences oi
the rash act.
THAR! take that.ye -; Ircckon that'll
6x ye at last"
He hurled 12pound shell with such
accurate aim that 1t fell directly in the
center Of the sleeping group. Walters