The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-15
~ on TAf OOU1HHFR,(AN WAR.

is. ~ YOU don't mind me pottin' at your
pals" he added with some difhdence.
The Boer laughed He was an Irish
"Boer," and, although a citizen of the
Transvaal. had no great sympathy with
his friends who had left him so precipi-
lately when the Tyrones had rushed the
kopje at the point of the bayonet.
Never mind me. youngster" he replied,
as he slipped Off his bandolier. which was
well filed with cartridges. I'm only a
prisoner OF war"
You talk Jolly good English for a
Dutchy," remarked Bugler Simmons. as
the Boer showed him how to load the
strange weapon.
MY father was Irish" answered the
Boer.
Then you're on the wrong side. cocky,"
said Bugler Simmons, with conviction.
II shan't be tomorrow morning" an
swered the prisoner, with grim meaning.
"You mean we shall all be dead If those
reinforcements don't come up?" queried
Bugler simmons
His prisoner nodded.
Looks like it?' remarked the boy cheer
fully; but We amt dead yet. wot no!
We amt got much money but we do iive!'
he added as he sighted and fired.
'Tit anything?" asked the Boer, with
a 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 added, 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. craving behind
that rock? Is he pal O. yours?"
II don't think So" answered the Boer.
WHY"
Zoos I'm going to pot 'im." replied Blu
gler Simmons quickly. az 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 drop
ped In the rush for the kopje and was
now trying to crawl to cover.
There was sharp report, as the whole
Of the buger's little body twisted with
the recoil of the rifle. and the Boer behind
the rock pitched forward on to his face.
Got Inn" said the sman savage, tri-
unphantly; my. but that was a close
shave for Private jones'"
He had certainly saved the wounded pri-
Yates life.
That was a clean shot, young un," said
the Boer with approval. but you mustn't
show your body like that when you Are. or
you'll get plugged. as safe as eggs!'
Right, oh. Dutchyr' acquiesced the de-
lighted bugler. Then thought struck him.
II say, would you like something to read ?"
he asked. thrusting his smoke fouled little
paw into the breast of his tunic. '"Ere's
the ha penny journal wot / take in when
I'm at home. It's six weeks old. but
there's some proper reading In II; all about
pirates And snakes and buried money. The
worst OF II Is that those chaps always
knock of their stories in the most excitin'
parts. Now. there's Jack Dashaway In
that story, 'es just going to get nobbied
by the pirates who are coming up the hill
after him. and you gets so excited that
It fairly makes you sick when II cuts OF
Just as the pirate king comes up the hill
with his mouth fun Of knives an about
three thousand pirates behind him.
The Boer took the tattered dog's-eared
paper, and queer look came into his eyes
as he regarded this remarkable youngster.
who. in the very face of death. was more
Interested in the fate of a novelette, hero
than IN his own.
Il say. youngster." he said; why don't
you clear out OF this and get back to the
army?"
''wot! ar leave our chaps behind Not
me" responded the bugler. rather indig-
nantly.
mere VIII DE dnhub seven ttlDuSdbu men
on TO you by dayhreak. and your general
seems to have forgotten you II you keep
those two stars. in a line with the top of
yon mountain peak. you will come 10 the
horses of the commando which are sur
rounding US now. Why not take my hat
and run down there collar "A horse and
ride for achievements Your general has
mislaid you. There are some good horses
down there. too. some that we col.srei
With squadron OF your Dragons" add
ell the Roer,
Then Busler simmons made no more
demur. lie sought his officer. who had
bean mourning him as dead. and laid "a
plan before him, Hts officer gave him
his blessing and a compass the face OF
which was painted with luminous paint
so that It's points might he read easily in
darkness and explained to him the prob
able position Of tho British forces.
Hulf an hour later Buglev simmons was