The National tribune., 1901-12-19

NET in any sort of danger, that is, from
our line. They We're firing with sys-
tenn; pit No. 1 would send ball, then
in 10 seconds pit No. 2, and so on down
their line, merely to keep the advantage
they had gained. At irregular intervals
two or three shots would be sent at some
dummy-a hat or coat held up by the
bayonets of men behind the pits in our
rear.
Ready" says Willis.
Three men were in group between
two of the pits. Another joined them.
Aim! Firer'
Five triggers were pulled.
Two down, by the - roared Will
lis, with more remarkable oath than
any | ever saw in print.
The wind was from the southeast, and
the smoke had rolled my way; l had
been unable to see the result. In fact,
| could hardly see anything. Put your
self in Il hole, and raise your head until
your eyes are an inch or two above the
surface Of ground almost level-what can
you see? But for Il slight depression De-
tween us and the rebels, the position
would have been worthless; yet every
evil, according TO DR.. Khayme, has its
use. or good sidc-our fortress was hid
den from the enemy, who would mistake
it, if they saw it at all. for enc of the
pits i'll our rear. perspective mingling our
yOnd.
We had leaped back into the ravine,
which here was fully eight feet deep and
roOmy, and were ramming cartridges. All
at once y rattle of firearms was heard
at the rear. Our skirmiSh-line had taken
advantage of the diversion brought, and
had turned the tables; not shot was
coming from the front.
Freeman looked through an embrasure
Not -- one in sight" he said.
Time was passing; the fire of our slir-
mishers continued; we were doing nothing
and were nervously eXpectant.
Holt wished for pack of cards.
\ council of war was held. Thompson
was fearful of our left; gang of rebels
might creep through the woods and take
us; we were but 60 yards from the woods.
Willis had confidence that our line could
protect us from such dash; they would
kill every man of 'cm before they could
git to us" To this Thompson replied
that if the rebels should again get the
upper hand, and make our men afraid to
show their heads, the rebels could come
on us from the woods without great dan
ger. Willis admitted that Thompson had
reason, but did not think the rebels had
yet found us out; at any rate. they would
be afraid TO come so near our strong skir-
mish-line; so, for his part, he wasn't
thinkin' of the left; the right was the
place of dangcr-what was down this
gully nobody knew; the rebels might send
a force up it, but not yet, for they didn't
know we were here.
Again Il rebel shell hOwled above. and
again yolley from the front was heard
as bullets sang over us, and our men be-
hind us became silent.
We sprang to place, every eye on
watch, every muskct in its port-hOle
Don't waste shot, men," says Willis;
we're not gOin' 20 have another chance
like that. Take it in order from right
to left. Berwick first. Wait till mans
body shows; don't shoot al n head'--
| had ired-ThompsOn fred immediate
ly after. He had seen that my shot
missed. Again the muskctry opened be-
hind US, and both sides pegged away
for while. Thompson claimed that he
had hit his man.
Suddenly loud rap was heard on one
Of the Sand-bags-One of the bags be
tween Willis and HOlt--a bullet had gone
through and into the wall of the rayine
behind us. Willis fired.
"DamnatiOn. says he; Il believe they
see u.s.
Yet it was possible that this was an
accident; Holt fired, and then Freeman,
and it became my turn again.
That bullet which had come entirely
through the sand-bag md buried itself
deeply in the ground gave me trouble.
did not believe that an ordinary musket
had such force, and | doubted whether
an Enfield had it, The rebels were get
ting good arms from England. II might
be that some man ever there had Il Whit
worth telescope rifle; if so, he had de-
tectcd us, perhaps-a telescope would
enable him to do il. i said nothing of
this speculation, but watched. Rebel bull
let's continued to fly over. | saw 4
man as low as his waist and fired: almost
at the same moment my Sand-bag was
struck-the second one on my right,
which protected that flank. and which
the bullet, coming from the left oblique.
struck endwise: the bullet passed through
the length of the bag and went on into
the wall Of the gully. | sprang back and
caught up the spade.
What's up, JOnesI' asked Willis
I'll report, directly, Sergeant"
| dug at least two feet before | found
the bullet; it was Il long, lcaden cylinder,
with rounded point-not bigger than
calber ~, | guessed. This was no En-
field bullet. | handed it to Willis; he
understood.
Can't be helped" says he; they know
we're here, boys
The danger had become great; perhaps
there was but one WhitwOrth over there,
but the marksman would at once tell the
SllrmisherS where we were posted then
we should be target for their whole
line, and at 800 yards their Enfelds could
riddle our sand-bags aud make us lie
low.
Rap, Rap, rap! Three sand-bags were
hit and Holt was scratched on the cheek.
The bullets struck the wall behind; one
penetrated, the others fell into the ra-
vine-they were Enfield bullets.
Hollis face was bleeding. The men
looked gloomy; we had had our fun.
Willis called another council. His
speech was to the effect that we had done
more damage than we had received, and
should receive; that all we had to do was
TO stay in the ravfne until the storm
should pass; the rebels would think that
we were gone and would cease wasting
their ammunition; then we could have
more fun.
Holt said bravely that he was not will
ing TO give it up yet; so said Thompson,
and so said Freeman.
My vote was given to remain and wait
for developments. At this moment re-
not reach the edge of the woods under
60 yards; somebody would be struck, if
not killed; it was doubtful that any could
escape sound and whole, for the rebels,
if they had any sense, were prepared
to see us run out, and would throw a
hundred shots at us. If our line could
ever again get the upper hand of the reb-
els, then we could get out easily; if not
we must stay here till night. We had
done all that could be dOne-had done
wcll-and we must mot risk loss with
out a purpose; we must protect ourselves;
| let the rebels waste their pOwder-the