The suburban citizen., 1901-05-18


it by the highway, n very dangerous
undertaking, 1t was best to try a
dasn as they were certain to be discov-
cred in any case, So squirting on their
horses, they entered the hamlet at a
gallop. knowing the suategical inn
portance of the place they felt sure
senuies must be posted to give the
alarm in the event Of the main body of
the troops returning by that road AS
it subsequently transpired large
number Of Boxers were Quartered
| there.
Scarcely had they entered the vii.
lage when the alarm was given. Doors
were thrown open and scores OF men,
armed with every conceivable kind of
! ancient and modern weapon, fiOclled
out on the road. Sticks and stones
were thrown at them, and above the
din of voices they heard the report of
firearms. But in a minute more they
had cleared the town and were dash
ing down the road on the other side
of it.
When all sounds Of pursuit had died
away and they thought it was safe to
give their horses a rest Mr.. Latham
said:
Are you all right, corporal? I
haven't a scratch about me-"
II am wounded in the side" said
Russell, who Mr., Latham now saw,
was making a heroic effort to keep his
seat t. the saddle. 'I am bleeding,
and I feel myself growing weaker
every minute. Help me to dismOunt
and then ride on"
Nonsense. man! 1 won't leave you
here to die" Mr.. Latham responded,
assisting the young man to dismOunt
and prop himself against tree by the
side Of the road
Yet, even rs he spoke, his heart sunk
at the thought of their terrible plight
They We're pursued by hundreds Of in
furiated soldiers, and had no means Of
making their escape. He listened in
tently, and thought he could lear a
noise in the distance. a few moments
more and he recognized it for the
bowling of wolves, evidently just
nting the blood splashed along their
trail. 1t is a wellknOwn fact that
even in the thickly settled country in
the vicinity of Pekin wolves are still
so numerous as to be a menace to life,
while back in the mountains they trav-
el in large bands. Russell heard the
sound too, his own death knell as he
well knew.
mr. Latham" he said, 81 cannot
last much longer You absolutely must
get those dispatches on to Using Pei.
The lives of many men are at stake.
You can't help me by remaining here,
and unless you leave me l swear that
l will shoot myself, so that you can
have no excuse for staying. VIII you
go?"
You are right-many lives depend
upon my action. But it is hard to
leave you to be devoured by wolves or
tortured by Boxers" A
Strong man as hewas his voice brokes
as he said his,apd realized what be
We called upon to do,
I'm the breast Of my blouse" Russell
continued, weakly but cheerfully, you
will find my dispatches Pull them
out"
With trembling fingers Mr.. Latham
did as he was bldden, drawing out
some papers. On top was a photo
graIn. Inyolutarily he glanced at it.
The moonlight fell on the portrait OF
smiling girl.
"Merciful powersw he exclaimed.
"Where did you get this pictur Of my
daughter"
"Have you forgotten me so soon"
Russell asked with faint smile
Frank Russellp' cried Mr.. Latham.
"Why did l not know you for what
you really area hero? 1 cannot leave
you here to die alone"
You must" Russell said. "Do not
reproach yourself. You did the right
thing. Poor as I was l ought never to
have presumed to address your daugE~
ter But that is all over now. For the
sake Of the past give my love to Ger
trude and tell her l died doing my
duty"
mo, no! I cannot leave your Mr..
Latham said brOkenly.
"Then l must send you from me.
Don't forget Give my love to-"
He had drawn his revolver, unseen by
the other, and the last word he ever ut.
tered, the name of his sweetheart, was
drowned in the report Of the shot
which ended his life.
Mounting his horse Mr.. Latham rode
rapidly in the direction of Tslng Pei.
He arrived there in safety and told his
sad story. A strong force was imme-
diately sent to the relief of Lieutenant
Prescott, whom they found still able
to hold out. On their return they
halted and buried the remains Of the
heroic corporal.
Frank Russell sleeps in an unmarked
grave, forgotten by the world, but
there are two persons in whose hearts
he holds a tender place, and by whom
he will ever be remembered Waycr-
ley Magazine.
Dangerous Balloons.
| A hunter, while exploring I'm BorneO