New-York tribune., 1900-03-25

ured guns into action against Jemnett and the
/ second In command was for opening the fight in
| the orthodox way by knocking these of their
( carriages with q round two; but Jemmett
would not hear Of it. NO. no." said he; we
must have these back intact. Tell Captain Max
well to burst his shells behind and around
them, 50 to clear away the support
/ ing infantry: but must take chance Of
/ bit Of a basting from them until We get near
I enough TO pot the gunners. They're firing very
slowly. they're ranging badly. they're not set
ting the fuses properly, and they have only one
+ Imber's supply"
( The second in command was q Hnesman, and
when one Of the hostile shells the first which
did happen to burst properly, carried of bugIer
and six men. a growI escaped him about waste
Of life.
/ Jemnett, who saw with half eye that things
/ were going as he wished them. leaned from his
saddle TO pat his subordinate on the shoulder
My friend" said he, 'it may be inhumane but
I should not call it waste Of life, though twenty
more and myself were TO go, if We win the day
and get back those guns while a man as gOod
as you remains TO take my place"
y beg your pardon General" said the second
! in command; but I wish you'd get OF your
horse for I'm not big enough TO do your work
however pleased I should be TO try"
And just then another fragment Of sheI-the
last the enemy fred that day-pIumped against
Jemmetts knee and brought his charger down
with broken back. Jemmett tvll heavily on his
head
you know what to do" said Jemmett the
second in command. as he recovered an hour
later from the stunning effect Of his fall.
1t has been done" answered the second in
command. The Rifles have cleared the ridge.
we've got the guns safe and sound, and the
guides are chivying the beggars down the val
ley"
That's AL declared the Colonel And how
long have I to live" he asked
Bless my soul, How should I know
turned the other. Twenty years. twenty-five,
anything up to a hundred and fifty. Long
enough TO bury the brigade anyhow
what's happened to me? I thought felt my
/ leg go"
Yes, chunk Of it went I'm afraid
youu limp a bit, old chap"
You mean il must come OFF,"
No it's not so bad as that-it only wants alb
solute rest-and there's the c. g., don't 20
know"
I'm too old to care about that, but suppose
they'll hardly retire now"
Make you a field marshal more likely" said
the second in command.
Then JeInnett dictated ten line account Of
the action to the second in command, and when
the latter had departed 10 send it off, and TO at
tend TO his proper work. bethought himself Of
the widows letter.
It was very long, for the widow, and it made
Jernmett forget the limp one side and the
c. B. on the other. 1t ended with the words;
Give me a definition Of duty soldier 70 take
the place OF the stupid cyniciSm he taught me-
Jernmett put the letter into the envelope and
the envelope back into his pocket, and his heart
full of pride, tried to think out the desired def
milton.
His cugitatons were broken by the re-entrance
of the second in command. just trifle lurried
That ass Winter has been at il again." he said
He helographs down that he's in the deuce Of
a mess and can you get him out Of it."
What does he want?' asked Jemmett. taken
aback.
He says he's surrounded, and can't cut a way
through without . big loss"
Jemmett was a wee bit angry. It's shame
said he. My men must be dog tired I hardly
know what to do"
7 know what I should do" snapped the sec
end in command
What would you do %" the General inquired.
Let him go to the devil his own way"
You forget yourself" said JeInnett That's
not business. We must do what we can to help
him"
If you send one man you must send the lot
said the second in command And you lose
the fruits of your victory"
Better that" returned Jemmett. than suffer
a defeat"