Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1899-10-13
WARRINGTON, V. C.


A pitch-black night in a rocky valley
of Afghanistan; a few stars in the
heavy, black, moonless sky only in
tensifying the almost palpable dark
ness. mile or two southwark, where
the rocky valley swelled into rocky
heights, little flashes of light recur-
ring at intervals, followed by sharp lit
tie cracks, showed where the late skir-
mish and retreat was fighting itself
out around about the camp.
Where one of the innumerable brok-
en- ridges that scanned the valley made
a darker wall across the darkness two
figures were dimly discernible (when
you knew where to look for them), the
one semi-recumbent, propped against
a bowlder, the other tall and straight
beside him.
"Clear out, WaTrington-please go,
sir" the voice came family from the
recumbent figure. you can get back
to camp and send em for me-"
mot likely, young 'un," observed the
other. what says the great r. X:
When you're wounded and left on At
ghanistan plains,
And the women came QUITO cut up
what remains
JUST
"Don't!" said the wounded man, and
almost succeeded in stopping a groan
between his clenched teeth.
Poor old Weary" said Warrington,
lending over him. Let me undo
your belt. Now grab yourself
with both hands"
Fellows in books" said the weak
voice drowsily, never get hit in the
tummy. Always-head in a
bandage-or-arm in sling. &.
Those Johnnies that write books
ought to come out with us"
There was silence for a time; the
far-Off flashes grew more rare. The
wounded man shifted himself a little
and spoke again.
You're a brick, Warrington" he
said
Slightly different from Piccadilly
and the Strand this-eh, Vic?"
Il wish the mater could see us now"
said Weary; She's going to bye-bye
just about now. She'd stick you pref
ty high up in her prayers if she knew"
"The next time you start talking
nonsense" said Warrington, 81 shall
consider you delirious and past hope;
and / shall turn tail and make tracks
for camp"
A long silence.
ITS getting beastly cold" said vi
cary, with a shiver; Il shall never pull
through tonight"
"Cheer up lad" said Warrington,
and pulled at his mustache and glared
at the darkness; "only few hours
till daybreak. Pity you're six
foot four in your boots and solid in
proportion. I'm not equal to two miles
with you on my back, my dainty mid
get"
Cant see how you got me this far.
. Why don't you sheer off now
and get back and-O, God! MOI War
rington You're not going?"
Another word like that, my son,
and / leave you for Mr.. and Mrs. Pa
than and all the little Pathans to play
with"
"All right-all right, l won't.
Let me hold your boot can hardly
see you. Oh, Wary, what funk
am; all the bit of pluck | had's run
out of the leak in my tunic-and
am beastly cold"
Warrington knelt beside him and
cursed beneath his breath and felt his
head and hands. The former was very
/ very
wet and warm.
Il must let them know they're wan
ted Vic!" he muttered.
The latter did not hear him.
It'll be in to-morrow's dispatches, !"
he muttered: Missing; Lieutenant
| Beverley Warrington and Second Lieu
tenant Weary of the -- What's up
Warry?"
His companion had touched his fore.
| head lightly with his lips risen to his
feet, and, with his arm raised above
his head, had emptied his revolver into
the silence of the night.
They'll know there's a British off.
Ger where that revolver is" he said
| cheerily.
"But-but, you fool-you dear ole
| silly fool-so will those brown devilsn
Cant help that" said Warrington
with a little laugh, its too chilly tC
stop out late tonight" Then in q
lower tone, For the sake of auld lans
| syne, Vic, my boy"
! He reloaded his revolver When the
echoes had ratified away into deeper
| silence they heard the distance shot!
/ suddenly recommence, and distan
| shouts and howls came to them like
/ whispers. From the invisible hills fac
/ ing them came din and confused scuf
| fling and scraping sounds as of cati
/ scrambling down rocks. A moving
/ white blur appeared somewhere in the
| thick darkness, then another, then an
/ other; and a suggestion of low-toneC
/ cultural conversation, reached War
/ ringtOn's straining ears. He SHIFTED
| his revolver to his left hand anC
/ gently drew his sword. Then from
| over there where he knew the camI
| lay six revolver shots in quick success
/ sion.
That's Welby!" he said to himself
| Vicary's hand had been grasping the
| heel of his foot tightly. Now he fell
| the grip relax; and in a moment more
] the wounded subaltern slipped a little
with a slight tinkle of steel on rocl
/ and groaned.