The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-12-13
In front Of a stone-warled inciosure

In front OF stone-waIled Enclosure
bordering the principal street in an
eastward suburb two or three officers
were in earnest consultation. From
the ambulance close at hand the at
tendanus were carefully lifting some
sorely wounded men. Up the street
farther east several little parties COM
ing slowly. haltingly from the front.
told that the incessant crash and rat
tie of musketry in that direction was
no mere feu-de-joie, while every now
and then the angry spat of the steel
clad Mauser on the stony road, the
whiz and whir about the ears OF the
few who for duty's sake or that OF
example held their ground in the high
way, gave evidence that the Tagal
marksmen had their eyes on every
visible group of Americans.
In the side streets. at right angles
to the main thoroughfare reserve bat
talions were crouching, sheltered
from the leaden storm, and awaiting
the longed-for order to advance and
sweep the field at the front. From
the grim, gray walls of the great
church and convent. which for weeks
had been strictly guarded by order
of the American generals against all
possible intrusion or dissertation on
part of their men, came frequent flash
and report and deadly missile aimed
at the helpless wounded, the hurry
ing ambulances, even at a symbol as
sacred as that which lowered above
it's altars-the blood-red cross OF
Geneva.
It was the Tagal's return for the
honor and care and consideration
shown the church Of Rome. AS an
| other ambulance came swiftly to the
spot it's driver swayed, clasped his
hands upon his breast, and, with the
blood gushing from his mouth, top
pied forward into the arms of the hos
pital attendants. It was more than
mander could stand.
"Burn that church," was the stern
order as the general spurred on to
the front, and a score of soldiers,
leaping from behind the stone walls,
dashed at the barricaded doors. A
young staff officer, galloping down the
road, refined in at sight of the little
party and whirled about by the gen.
erals side. cts perfectly true, SIR
said he. fright across the bridge in
front of the blockhouse you can hear
him plainly. It's white man giving
orders to the Filipinos." The general
nodded.
We'll get him presently. Do they
understand the orders on the left ."
Everywhere, sir. All are ready
and eager and even the native pony
ridden by the aide seemed quivering
with excitement as, horse and rider,
they fell back and joined the two Of
ficers following their chief.
"Hot in front, Stuyvie?" queried
| the first in undertone, as a Mauser
tipped between their heads to the
detriment of confidential talk, and a
great burst of cheers broke from the
line crouchirg just ahead across the
open field. "Why, d-n, it man, you're
hit now!"
"Hush!" answered Stuyvesant, inn
ploringly, as he pressed gauntleted
hand to his side. Don't let the gen.
eral know. 1 want to join Vinton in
moment. It's only a tear along the
skin" But blood was soaking
through the serge of his blue sack
coat and streaking the loose folds OF
his riding-breeches, and the bright
color in his clear skin was giving way
to pallor.
"Tear, indeed! Here! Quick, or
derby! Help me there on the other
side!" and the captain sprang from
saddle. A soldier leaped forward,
turning loose his pony, and as the
general, with only one aide and or
derby, rode on into the smoke-clord
overhanging the line, Gerard Stuyve-
SAINT, fainting, slid forward into the
arms of his faithful friends.
A few hours later, "lined up" along
the river bank, great regiment from
the far west, painting and exultant,
stood resting on it's arms and look
ing back over the field traversed in
it's first grand charge. Here, there.
everywhere it was strewn with in
surgent dead and sorely wounded.
Here, there and everywhere men in
American blue were fitting about
from group to group, rendering can
lteens of cold water to the wounded,
friend and enemy alike.
ITO Be Continued.l