Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1900-01-18


was ready
At the right momentsthe Colonel
jumped to his feet, drew his sword,
and raising it on high, shouted ln]
stentorian tones:
"Charge-ge-ge by rushes. Charge
ge-ge Trumpeter, blow the charge
ge-ge.'
And there lie fell shot through the
chest and mortally wounded.
Bender leaped forward, picked up.
the wounded officer. and in shower
! of bullets, carried him into protection
of the river bank.
"Quick. quick, gasped the colonel,
"take the command to Major Andrews,
of the til. Tell him I'm dead. dead,
| and hurry, hurry" ~sH
Bender waited not q moment, bat
dashed away down the left flank. The
til was the next regiment, but as the
line was deployed the now ranking
Commander, Major Andrews, was
nearly mile away. Swiftly ran the
messenger along the bed Of the river,
crossing an open space every now and
! then. Thrice he was wounded, but
he did not stop.
In few minutes Major Andrews
! had the command and learned the
! news of the death Of the officers When
Bender started to speak to the Major
his voice faltered at first and he could
/ hardly speak. He pulled himself to-
/ gether, however, and delivered his
message.
The Major looked at Bender, criti-
cally, for moment and then said:
whats your name:"
"Bender, sir
"Well, Bender, you remain with
this command and report to NE i'm
mediately after lostilities cease. to-
night"
Then Major Andrews led the brigade
IN the charge, and for the next two
hours carnage reigned supreme.
Bender had taken a wife and Joined
company of the til, advancing ana
fighting with all the vim of a seasoned
warrior. His company was abreast Of
one of the block houses on San Juan
Hill AS they rusAe b I'D and charged
the house they were met with with
ering fire, but they never faltered.
When within twenty PAGES company
Of Spaniards. emerged from behind tho
house and the next moment Bender
was in the midst Of a. terrific hand to
hand fight.
Slash.
Boulder heard the swish OF ma
chete close to his face and jumping
back found himself facing burly
Spaniard, who was already making
ready for another swing.
''Tne red macheter' yelled Bender,
catching sight Of the weapon in the
Spaniard's hand.
He managed 20 parry the first blow
or two, but was no match for his OPP
ponent, and moment later was
stretched out on the hill, thrust
through the abdomen, cut in the
shoulder and in the thigh.
But Bender was not dead When
he recovered consciousness a short
time later the hill was in possession
of the Americans and the firing had
ceased temporarily. He called to
one of his comrades and asked that
Major Andrews be sent for
In few minutes the Major ar
rived
You know me, don't you:' said
Bender, weakly.
Eyes. : replied the Major; harshly;
[ do. "What do you want:''
Major, l just wanted to tell YOU,
seeing that | am done for. that I was
not to blame for that funk in the
Black Hills. In no coward. even if
my shoulder straps were ripped off
for cowardice in face Of the enemy.
=''I told you then I'd prove it if /
ever had a chance. And [ had the
chance to-day [ love the old flag,
Major. and I'd fight for it any time,
but | can't do it again Won't you
take back what you sail about me.
Major? / am 10 coward and Kitty
never believed | was.
At mention of Kitty the Major S
eyes filled with tears and his lips
trembled with emotion.
'Lieutenant, he said at last. '.for-
give me if [ have wronged you No,
you can't be a coward or you would
not have sought soldiers death. .
\ glad light beamed in Bender S
eyes as the Major bent over, elasped
his hand and smoothel his forehead
affectionately.
And. and. Kitty. whispered
Bender family Is she happy"
Yes, Lieutenant; l think So .
Tears were streaming from the
Majors eyes roU .sAu1 vou will