Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-03-21

Then e thinks II bit. Then e says ell
try it. Then | volunteers for you an
me to stop, accuse 1t wOs us wot for
merlutcd the invention. Couple OF
damn scamps afOre you joined, Ell!
e says. 'Certnl, majer.' says. sooth'
Unlike. Then | feels sulnmat a-foolin
about me In the darkness, an when
grabbed 1t | found IL wos the majcrs
hand"
"Snipey." said Ripper, reproachful-
ly, you're blisterin' liar.'
",rhut's the kernel of it, mate. It's
true about the hand, though, Kip"
Crack, crack. Increasingly the pitt
less rifles told the lurking Chinese that
their British pigeons were safe IN the
nest below.
"Kipper!'
cole pail!
owe gotter remember one thing
There must be no blOomin' surrender
in"
mot bit O. surrenderin'." There
was a decided quaver in the tone now
"There wun't be no takin' prisoners
We've took a great responsibility on fer
the regiment. There's lot o clarse
about the regiment, Kip. an we amt
a-goin' to disgrace 1t. See?"
"Snipey"
"Kipper. ole mani" There was the
same funny cropping Of hands In the
dark. the same tight. lingering grip
when the5 found each other.
Crack. crack!
Course this rifiew said Snipey. "How
she bumps!'
1t was nearly 4 o'clock when Ripper
spoke again. The blackness was d.
luted little over the eastern ridge.
"Snipey," he said, with weary little
sob. "I'm a-gettin' Ill" Then after a
pause: "Snipey, dyer remember what
that Crucified Chap said when 'Ee got
tired--when T. was weary O. waitin'
| mean?"
Don't give yer neck. mate"
Him wot the missh'nary told us about
when we wos kids" went on Ripper
pathetically. "Wot was it?"
Snipey sighed.
II know. chummy. was just a.
Lord. 'ow long""
"That's it, said Ripper through his
chattering teeth. COW long, o Lord
The eastern sky was Il golden sea.
The rocky ridges and hills beneath
seemed blacker than ever, and from
that black smudge on the glory of the
dawn came half a dozen little pulfs of
flame. and Kipper's rifle clattered down
upon the rocks. Snipey CROPPED about
in the gloom. and found his comrade on
his knees. gasping and splitting mouth
fuls of warm liquid.
"Wot yer dom. Kip?" he said,
anXiously.
He stood for Il minute. still as the
rocks around. then stumbled forward
with n sobbing cry OF rage and misery.
In the dim light he saw Ripper lying
on his side. trying in vain to raise him
self upon his elbow.
"Kipper." lie whispered softly, fall
ing on his knees beside his chum.
Ripper groaned, and pressed his
hand to his right breast
"Through-the lungs" he said. in an
awel whisper, between the fits of
coughing that wrenched him. Snipey
pressed his hand. with Il sob.
For the regiment, Snpey!" He
raised himself on his elbow, and his
chum flung an arm around his neck to
support him. "rhere's bit o clarse
about he-reg"
A fresh bit of coughing brought in
tense agony; after it was over his head
fell back.
Snipey pulled out his handkerchief to
wipe the blood from the dead lips. 1t
was n miniature copy of the British
flag. He remembered how the hand
kerchiefs had taken the fancy of
the soldiers just before they left Eng
land. and how the regiment had
bought up the whole stock.
He stared stolidly mt the quiet face
for minute then spread the little flag
over 1t.
When Snipey turned once more to
face the east the day had broken glori-
ously. His rifle was empty, and he
slipped Il fresh cartridge into the
breech Then, with II sudden thought,
he fetched Kipper's rifle and loaded
that, too.
When the Chinese closed round In
the growing light they found their pot
shot prey had flown. A solitary Brit
ish soldier. with hands and chin resting
on the mrZZle of his gun, stood await
ing their vengeance.
| The weapon sprang to the aching
shoulder. and one yellow foe lay a
corpse. With the report of Kipper's
gun another pressed his hand to NOR
tai wound, and the affair was finished.
But that morning. In the mess-tents
Of the rescued regiment. the story of