Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-28

J that remark for me, sir,' he said, you will dismount and convey it with prop CT respect but the aid had not even stopped to listen. He was spurring swiftly down the line of the Washoes crouching at the roadside, and there was marked difference in the tone with which he asked for Colonel Langdon. "Herew sang the prompt answer as | that officer instantly dropped his -chat with the gunners and refined out into | the road. The red was in the sky, the pallid light of dawn already strong enough to outline forms and figures close at hand, but all mems faces were drawn and wan. There had been long nights of vigil and later the strain of long hours under fire. Two men of the nearest company, close to the high road, turned over on their backs, one with strange anguish in his boyish | face, the other, after moments strug- gle, with staring, sightless eyes. Strong arms raised and bore them to the ref uge of an adjoining wall. Low flying Mausers had found their billet in the recumbent line. First blood for the | Filipino" muttered a griZzled major, with an upward glance at Langdon, | who was herding his men like shep- | herd with his flock closer within the shelter of the lane. Aye, but we'll have l full satisfaction after sunup," cried the aid-de-camp, his voice quivering with excitement. 1.-The general is waiting | just across the little footbridge to- ward the knoll, sir. You can see al most their entire position from there. He wishes you to join him a moment. I'll guide you"
 | Along the lane they urged their steeds. A minutes swift trot brought I them to the southern outskirts of the village, and the flats of the riceields, scanned by little ridges of stiffened mud and streaked by winding estuaries, lay | before them--the banks of the main stream, the Tripa, fringed with jetting fires. A narrow path ran to the edge of the slough that split the brigade in twain and turned back toward the rearward city. Beyond it dimly out lined forms crouched in the open fields behind the firing line of the Colum- bias. A frail footbridge, thrown up by the engineers, spanned the sluggish tide, and white chips flew from the hand rail as the top was grazed by whistling lead. Under clump of bamboo at the edge of the lane three orderlies were holding a little bunch of horses. The officers, throwing them selves from saddle and bending low sped swiftly out along the narrow dike and over the swaying bridge. Where's N0th th0r, 6nd hn 0h inf as he saw his aid and Langdon. T told you to find him first.''
 "I did, sir, and gave the message" ," was the instant reply.
 Up from the knoll, where the field guns were laundering, with. soldierly salute came the stalwart colonel of the Columbias. The commander of the Evergreens, silent and attentive, was already there and listening to the rapid instructions of the hrigadier These in swift, terse words were re- peated to the other field officers as they reported. There was no mistaking the intensity of their zeal and interest But still no Nathan appeared. "Never mind," said the chief, pointing to where the Columbias were volleying at the lines across the Tripa. "We'll find him out there with his men probably" and he led the way back across the slough. Mot much we won't" growl- ed the colonel of the Columbias in sa~ tiric aside to silent Langdon. Eff the general knew him as Melville does, he'd-know better. Big luck for Nathan he isn't in Melville's brigader'
 "Oh, never you fear but the old man'n cinch him." spoke up staff officer in eager loyalty to his chief, stumbling on the dike as he spoke. Nathan now!'
 The light had broadened. The roofs and walls of Santa Ana stood in sharp, black silhouette against the orient sky. Forms and even faces now could be recognized dozen rods away, and here at the edge of the Paco suburb, still sheltered by the walls, stood Na- than in crouching attitude, peering at them as they came. The general, turn ing abruptly to the right, had moved away toward the firing line. His aid swiftly followed, and Langdon, return. ing for his horse, came face to face at
 
 almost ten years before had driven him from the army. The silver leaf that told of equal grade in the volunteers gleamed on the shoulder of each, but one had worn it since the 1st of May, the other not until three months later. With the sound of every volley from beyond the Tripa flight of bullets whistled across the dilxe and foot bridge and swept the level fields. Erect and composed, Erie Langdon passed from the zone of fire into that of com paratiye safety to find the pathway blocked by this pallid man and nerv- ous, fdgeting pony. The lieutenant colonel of the Columbias turned in sore embarrassment and funk, kicked the ribs of his luckless steed, then awk- wardly backed him off the track and stood aside to let his senior by. With utter contempt in his frowning eyes Langdon looked his former. captain in the face, passed him without word and then was astonished to hear the we'll remembered voice, no longer loud and truculent, yet something almost like defiance or desperation rang in the harsh, tremulous announcement:
 ''I suppose you know that Melyille'S