Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-16

Got big streaks OF yellow in ON, al
OF 'em."
"Still, Pete, you know they used tc
be hot stuff. I'm thinking that they d
give us good warm reception even
now, only there are not enough Of
them, and they haven't food, MOI
money, nor much else, except lots OF
ammunition, I guess"
"Of course, if they do make a stand
at ALL" said Pete slowly, "they's liza.
BILE to be quite death rate around
here. You see they've got guns that
shoot like sin. Jest as good as ours.
Better, maybe"
eyes, but even at that I think most
OF the men would welcome good hot
scrap"
Pete spat copiously and gazed at
nothing for moment. He was some.
what given to thinking before speak
ing.
"Unless it should happen to be too
hot" he remarked OF last.
"What do you mean, Pete" said
Bender, his voice tense with emotion
on the instant. "Not defeat, you
wouldn't dare think it even. Say,
what do mean?"
"Nothin', nothin', it was only re.
mark. No need to git excited about
it. Jest between you an me. Only,
you know"
Pete stopped abruptly. His rowing
gaze now rested on the sky. An ashy
pallor overspread his face, and IN ex-
preston of terror was in his eyes.
''Look, 81, look" he fairly gasped,
pointing above with trembling fin.
ger.
Bender looked.
There in the sky. directly over the
American camp, was hugo black
cloud. At first appearance a cloud
only, but almost OH the instant it as.
sumed human form. 1t was the pic.
ture of soldier lying, with folded
hands, on his funeral bier.
As they gazed it was gone, shape
less cloud again, sent here and there
by varying winds.
"It's an omen," finally said Pete
with trembling lips.
"Pete, you're an inconsiderate ass"
replied Bender with an attempt at be.
ing funny. But his voice sounded
dry and hard, and his face was white
also.
"Now, see here" he continued,
gaining control of his voice as he
spoke, "dont you say a word about
that when we get back to camp. It's
no omen at oil, but some of the 'rook-
les might be superstitious, and you
don't want to get them ratified, see?"
eyes, 1 see, replied Pete, dubious
ly, "but I tell y'u that was omen.
They'll be war tomorrow, sure, an
sometimes goin' to happen. But I
won't say a word about it, for as you
say, til rockies is liable to get hambus-
ticated at most any little thing. You
bein' one of 'em y'u ought to know. I
notice as how you're a little white
around the gills."
Bender flushed at mention of his
short service, but replied:
eyes, acknowledge the corn. I'm
a rookie. But you must remember,
Pete, that life on the Mexican border
is very good training for the army,
and I had my experience there.
"This may be IN omen, as you say,
but if 1t is it's just for you OF me. Has
to do with the army at all.
Well never be defeated; but, Peter,
;ou or I may At no distant date be
like The subject from which this mir
age wcs cast"
That night, as all save the sentries
lay sleeping, bugle call broke out
on the still air. 1t was the reveilIe
call, sounded twice in rapid success
sior. Quickly the call passed from
one regiment to another, beginning
with the ranking command and
following in regular order down
the line. And as the call sounded the
men jumped to respond until within o
lew moments the great camp was
Ieeming with activity and excitement.
"What meant this midnight start?"
hey asked one and another. Aud
here was but one response:
eight"
Soon the camp was but q memory
and the army moved forward, toward
he enemy's works, guided by Cubaus.
As the first faint streaks of gray
!ght showed on the eastern horizon q
ow deep boom-m-m reverberated
.long the valley, a cloud of smoke
,reathed q small knoll on tho side OF
Fl Pozo, and the battle was on.
An hour later the cannonading was
terrific. The ground shook with the
ncessant 'hunder Of big guns. Small
bullets whistled through the air like
lail.
II say, Pete, what do you think of
his?" shouted Bender.
1T amt no Fourth O. July celebra.
ion, I'll tell y'u that" was the reply.
"Hot stuff, eh?"
"Well, you seem to take it pretty
veil for kid"
GENDER, oh.h-h, Bender!"
It was the Colonel shouting at the
OPP OF his voice.
here, slrI replied Bender, rum
ling forward along the line.
II may need you to-day. Give my
to Captain Steele, tell
Tim that I've relieved you from duty
Nth his command, and then report
lere again immediately"
Every well, sir"
Bender was with che Colonel again
n a few minutes, and followed him
loosely all morning When the San
'uan river was reached and the troops
eployed to make ready for the charge,
Bender and the Colonel were some
That in advance of the men.
It was critical moment. The com.
officer Of the brigade had
zen killed. The two ranking colonies
ad been severely wounded, aud were
ors de combat. The command of the
rigade now devolved on the Colonel
I the --th. He felt tho responsibility,
lso the danger and waited until all
'as ready.
At the right moment the Colonel