Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-04-18

. inr' he had remarked coolly when b
. had concluded the operation to his far
cy; that is. II you don't mind me poi
tin at your pals" he added with som
difiidence.
The Boer laughed. He was an Iris
"Boer," and. although q citizen Of tn
) Transvaal. had no great sympathy witt
his friends, who had left him so pre-
cipitately when the Tyrones had rushe,
the kOpje at the point Of the bayonet.
"Never mind me. yOungster." he re
piled as he slipped of his bandolier
which was well filled with cartridges
I'm only prisoner Of war"
You talk jolly good English for {
Dutchy," remarked Bugler Simmons
as the Boer showed him how to loaC
the strange weapon.
MY father was Irish," answered the
Boer.
Then you're on the wrong side
cocky." said Bugler Simmons with con
viction.
II sha'n't be tomorrow morning" an
swered the prisoner with grim mean
Ing.
"You mean we shall all be dead II
those reinfOrcements don't come up?''
queried Bugler Simmons.
His prisoner nodded.
Looks like 1t. don't ity' remarked
the boy cheerfully; "but We amt dead
yet, wot no! We amt got much money.
but we do liver he added, as he sighted
and fired.
Hit anythingY' asked the BOer with
laugh.
kicks bitr' suggested Bugler Sim
mons, rubbing his shoulder.
"She's a bit heavy for a young 'un
like yOu." answered the Boer. as he
slipped another cartridge into the
breech. BY the way, sonny" he add
ed, "how old are your
Fourteen last birthday" replied
Bugler Simmons promptly.
TOO young for this business" muir
INJURED the wounded man to himself
Say. Dutchy," said the bugler. dye
see that chap down there. crawling be-
hind that rock? Is he a pal o. yOurs:"
Il don't think So" answered the Boer
Why
"'Cos I'm going to pot 'im," replied
Bugler Simmons quickly. as he cuddled
the stock of the rifle against the cheek
which the lady had kissed. and sighted.
The BOer behind the rock was aiming
at a wounded British soldier who had
dropped in the rush for the kopje and
was now trying to crawl TO cover
There was a sharp report. as the
whole Of the bugler's little body twist
ed with the recoil Of the rife. and the
Boer behind the rock pitched forward
on to his face.
Got 'im!' said the small savage tri-
umphantly: my, but that was a close
shave for Private'JOnesw
He had certainly saved the wounded
private's life.
That was clean shot, young 'un."
said the BOer with approval but you
mustn't show your body like that when
you fire. or you'll get plugged. as safe
as eggs"'
Right. oh. Duchy!" acqulesced the
delighted bugler. Then thought
struck him. Il say. would you like
to read?' he asked, thrusting
his smoke-fouled little paw into the
breast of his tunic. "'Ere's the ha'-
penny journal wot l take In when I'm
at home. Its six weeks old, but there's
some proper reading In it: all about
pirates and snakes and buried money.
The worst of 1t is that those chaps al
ways knock of their stories in the most
excitin' parts. Now. there's Jack Dash
in, hat so'c f,rot
get nobbled by the pirates wot are COM
Ing up the hill after him. and you gets
SO excited that it fairly makes you sick
when 1t cuts of short just as the pirate
king comes up the hill with his mouth
full Of knives an about three thousand
pirates behind him."
The Boer took the tattered dOg's-ear-
I'd paper, and a queer look came into
his eyes as he regarded this remark
ible youngster, who, In the very face
IF death. was more Interested In the
tate Of novelette, hero than In his own.
II say, youngster," he said; why
lOn't you clear out of this and get back
20 the armyT'
''Wot! an leave our chaps be'ind? Not +.
me-" responded the bugler rather indig-
lantly.
There will be about seven thousand
men on to you by daybreak. and your
general seems to have forgotten you. II :
7Ou keep those two stars In q line with /
he top Of yOn mountain peak, you will !
.Ome to the horses Of the commando /
which are surrounding us now. Why !
lot take my hat and run down there. !
.ollar a horse and ride for reinforce /
nents. Your general has mislaid you.
There are some good horses down there,
90: some that we collared with
quadron Of your dragons" added the
3oer
Then Bugler Simmons made no more
emur. He sought his officer, who had
een mourning him as dead. and laid
Ian before him. His officer gave him
is blessing and compass. the face of
which was painted with luminous
aint. SO that its points might be read
asily In darkness. and explained to
i'm the probab Bile position Of the British
orces.
ras crawling quietly among a dense
rowd Of Boer horses. Armed with a
enknife. he cut hobble after hobble
III. in the darkness, he came to q bri-
led and saddled horse, who attempted
D bite him affectionately.
He felt the brute's knees. There was
o doubt about 1t. He had happened
pom an old friend, Corporal Hawkey's
'inger, late Of the Pink dragons, now
.rving in a Bocr remount.
For reasons best known to himself
niger always bit at trumpeter. but
Q allowed Simmons to climb on 10 his
sex without rescnting.
Some Beers on the outside Of the
rowd Of horses moved backward and