The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-05-17

/ you! Colonel John Anthony Deever, c.
B. The turned toward the infantry
mess and shook his rife-''you think
yourself the devil of a man, but tell
you that if you put your ugly old car
cass outside of that door, III make you
the poorest lookin man in the army
Come out, Colonel John Anthony Dee
yer, C. B.! Come out an see me prac-
tiss on the rainge. I'm the crack shot
of the ole bloomin battalion" In proof
of which statement Simmons fred at
the lighted windows of the messhouse.
'Private Simmons, E comp'ny, on
the cavalry p'rade ground, sir, with 80
rounds, said a sergeant breathlessly
to the colonel ''Shootin right an lef',
sir. Shot Private Losson. What's to be
done, sir?''
Colonel John Anthony Deever, G. B..
sailed out. only to be saluted by a
squirt of dust at his feet,
"Pul1 upl" said the second in COM
mand. IT don't want my step in that
way, colonel He's as dangerous as a
mad dog"
"Shoot him like one, then" said The
colonel bitterly, ":f he won't take his
chance Ny regiment tool If it had
been the Towheads. could have under
stood.
Private Simmons had occupied a
strong position near well on the edge
of the parade ground and was defying
the regiment to come on. The regiment
was not anxious to comply with the re-
quest, for there is small honor in being
shot by fellow private. Only Corporal
Slane, rifle in hand. threw himself
down on the ground and wormed his
way toward the we'll
Don't Shoot" said he to the men
round him. ''Like as not you'll it me-
I'll catch the beggar livin. ?"
Simmons ceased shouting for awhile,
and the noise of trap wheels could be
heard across the plain Major Oldyne,
commanding the horse battery, was
coming back from dinner in the civil
lines; was driving after. his usual Gus
tom-that is to say. as fast as the horse
could go.
GA orr 'cerl A bloomin spangled
orf'cerl" shrieked Simmons. '3I'll make
a scarecrow of that Off 'cerl'' The trap
stopped.
"What's this?" demanded the major
of gunners e.You. there-drop your
rifel''
.sWhy, it's Jerry Blazesl amt got
no quarrel with you, Jerry Blazes.
Pass, frien', an all's welll'
But Jerry Blazes had not the faintest
intention Of passing dangerous MUIR
derer He was, as his adoring battery
swore long and fervently, without
knowledge of fear, and they were sure
ly the best judges for Jerry Blazes, it
was notorious, had done his possible to
kill man each time the battery went
| out.
He walked toward Simmons with the
intention of rushing him and knocking
him down.
Don't make me do it, cir, said
Simmons 81 amt got nothin gin
you Ah2 You would?" The major
broke into run "Take that, then!" :
The major dropped with bullet
through his shoulder. and Simmons
stood over him. He had lost the salts
faction Of killing Losson IN the desired
way, but here was a helpless body to
his hand. Should he slip in another
cartridge and blow off the head or with
the butt smash in the white facet He
stopped to consider, and a cry went up
from the far side Of the parade ground,
"Ee's killed Jerry Blazesl'' But in the
shelter of the well pillars Simmons was
safe, except when he stepped out to fire.
'I'll blow your 'andsome cad off, Jerry
Blazes.'' said Simmons refectively
''Six an three is nine an one is ten, an
that leaves me another 10 an one for
myself He tugged at the string of the
second packet Of ammunition. Corporal
Slane crawlcd out of the shadow of
bank into the moonlight.
81 see you'll said Simmons. "Come
bit furder on. an I'll do for you.
s'I'm comm, said Corporal Slane
briefly lyon done bad days work,
Sim. Come out ere an come back with
me- y
Come to- laughed Simmons,
sending a cartridge home with his
thumb ''Not before I've settled you
an Jerry Blazes.
The corporal was lying at full length
in the dust of the parade ground, rifle
under him Some of the less cautious
men in the distance shouted "Shoot
iml Shoot i'm, Slanel'
"You move and or foot, Slane, said
Simmons. IAN I'll kick Jerry Blazes
cad in an shoot you after.
81 amt movin. said the corporal
raising his head. ''You daren't it
man on is legs Let go of Jerry Blazes
an come out of that with your fstes
Come an it me. You daren't, you
h1oouin doo shOOtert"