The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-09-29

he was a coward, and spoke low: fol
it was not a pleasant subject. They
whispered that he was all right wher
behind a stockade. but nc earthly use
in a good-going tussle.
The parasite of malaria, the
stealthy piasmodium, knew better
1t alone could tell what become OF
the boy. No coward chooses to die
as the lieutenant chose within a yea,
of the relieving of Fort Mutt.
III.
Since early morn the laundering
roar of cannon had echoed from
kopje to kopje. mingling with the
shrek of flying shells and the heavy
rumble of field artillery and am.
munition wagons. The naval brigade
had shelled the Boer position and
been shelled in its turn. The deep
Tugela, where OF yore the riyer-horse
had gamboled in ungainly play. on
whose banks vast herds of antelope
had roamed, in whose rapid waters
the lion had ofttimes quenched his
thirst, now swept as a d~ividing-line
between the invader and the advanc-
ing force.
The low hills were full of armed
Beers, the intersecting valleys pa
trolled by their horse, every point
of vantage crowned by their heavy
Krupps and ~far-reaching Creusots.
Thousands of Mauser rifiemen lay
biding their time-rude. rough dwell
ers on the veldt, but stubborn foes
and deadly marksmen. With keen
eyes they watched the preparations
for the British infantry attack. and
marveled at the courageous folly of
the hated "rooineks."
To the south of the river the brown
battallons were mastering, every
man keen to get to close quarters
with al enemy which loved cover as
the prowling beast of prey loves the
shade of rock and bush and scrub.
Bugles and cavalry trumpets sound
ed loud and mellow, company after
company stood to arms, troop after
troop clattered joyfully to their ap-
pointed posts: while the eager artil-
lerymen. brave to rashness. whirled,
bounding and humping. to the front.
their teams straining at the harness,
the white dust whirling from beneath
h wheels of the gun-cariages.
A mounted officer spurred quickly
10 where the imperial scouts were
drawn up in n long double line. two
lines of steel and khaki upon two
other lines of restless horses which
Smelt the battle from afar. He was
met by their commander; a few brief
words passed between them. and the
cavalry were at one put in motion
and trotted towards the rivers brink.
Hating where they escaped the
fire, they learned hat Il chance had
been vouchsafed to them. The ford
had to be tested, for the gallant
Irish brigade had been ordered to
cross the Tugela and storm the
kopjes. There was a call for VOL
unteers; but every man was willing.
a ~half-dozen. envied by their COM
rades. received the order. and
nv" was q Nou1S tfOOpCE
who had found it hard to pass the
doctors, and yet had managed to en-
list, for men were wanted who could
ride well and shoot straight. and he
had given ample evidence that he pos
sessed both accomplishments. His
sallow face was lined and weary;
trouble was marked upon his brow;
he was old for his years; but in his
eyes was a fiery glitter and his teeth
were set. This time he would not
fail his country.
you are to search the ford, cross
If possible. and return and report"
the command, with an addition
al: "Good luck to you, my lads"
1t had to be a dash. and a dash it
was. Into the level raced the troop,
and a hail of bullets came swishing
past their ears, furrowed the earth
about them. scattering the dust
which rose like watep-jets on a pond
when a thundershower pits its sur
face.
Thud, crash, One was DOWN: but
they %gal,oped. 1t was a marvel
they were not swept away by such
a storm of lead. Another horse
plunged and shrieked in agony; an
other man pitched backwards and
trailed one foot in stirrup upon the
ground.
1t could not be done; every man
of them was wounded, and every
horse but one. Its rider, a mere boy,
shot in the shoulder, with a useless
left arm, careered forward alone. He
reached the water; with redeemed
spurs he forced his maddened steed
the stream. On and on they
pressed; the river swirled about
them. 1t was the ford, but now
could scarce be so called, for the willy
had damned back the waters.
rose to the horses withers and
threatened to sweep the hoofs from In
der him. The drift deepened-there
was a desperate struggle; then it
Those who watched shouted aloud in
Although they knew he
could not hear, they now cried upon
the venturesome trooper to return. |
He had crossed-the first man to cross |
and the brigade was to follow him, |
to the death if need be; but it were |
n pity if he should now fall.
"HpayeuS. he muSf he mn6i" ~