Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-03-26

"Snipey," said Ripper, reproachful-
ly, you're a blisterin' liarv'
That's the kernel Of 1t, mate. It's
true about the hand, though, Kip"
II.
Crack, crack! Increasingly the pitt
less rifles told the lurking Chinese that
their British pigeons were safe in the
nest below.
"Kipperv'
"Ole palv'
I'VE gotter remember one thing.
in"
Not a bit O. surrenderin'." There
was decided quaver in the tone now.
There wun't be no takin' prisoners!
We've took great responsibility on fer
the regiment. There's lot O. clarse
about the regiment, Kip, an we amt
a-goin' to disgrace it. See?'
"Snipeyv'
'Kipper. ole man." 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 ri1ew said Snipey. "How
she bumpsy'
1t was nearly o'clock when Ripper
spoke again. The blackness was di-
luted little over the eastern ridge.
"Snipey,' he said, with weary little
sob, Pm a-gettin' 'illr' Then after a
pause: "Snipey, dyer remember what
that Crucified Chap said when 'Ee got
tired-when e was weary O. waitin',
I mean?
Don't give yer neck, mater
Him wot the h'nary told us about
when We wos kids" went on Ripper,
pathetically. "Wot was it?''
Snipey sighed
Il know, chummy. l was just a.
thinking of it meself. ''Ow long, o
Lord. 'ow long?"
That's it?' said Ripper, through his
chattering teeth. 'Ow long, o Lord
NV SoSICih Shy was d SOlueu 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 puffs of
flame, and Kipper's rifle clattered down
upon the rocks. Snipey groped about
in the gloom, and found his comrade on
his knees, gasping and splitting mouth
fuls of warm liquid.
"Wot yer doin', Kip?" he said,
anXiously.
He stood for minute. still as the
rocks around. then stumbled forward
with a 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.
''Kipperv' he whispered softly, fall
ing on his knees beside his chum.
Ripper groaned, and pressed his
hand to his right breast.
''Through-the lungsv' he said, in an
awed whisper, between the fits of
coughing that wrenched him. Snipey
pressed his hand, with a Sob
For the regiment, Snipeyv' He
raised himself on his elbow, and his
chum flung an arm around his neck to
support him. There's a bit o clarse
bout-the-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 a 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 at the quiet face
for minute, then spread the little flag
over it.
When SniDey turned once more to
face the east the day had broken glori-
ously. His rifle was empty, and he
slipped fresh cartridge into the
breech. Then, with 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 muzzle 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 a NOR
tai wound, and the affair was finished.
But that morning, in the mess-tents
of the rescued regiment, the story of
how a couple of weeds had been pluck
ed from the garden of society was told
with misty eyes and glowing hearts.