Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-08-21

sheltered from the Mausers whisrrng
overhead from the blazing front. A
squad of eager drivers. crouching by
the gate, snickered at the sight across
the narrow way. "Nathan's very par
ticular just where that holes got to be
punched" jeercd a grizzled driver who
had served in the old battery.
particular not to get one In his own
hide. you mean laughed mate.
where's his colonel, anyhow
Over at the right. Nathan only had
four companies Here comes Washoe
now" And then at the right front, be-
yond the village walls. mad cheer
went up to the skies, followed by u
crashing volley. The Columbias had
burst from the thickets at the edge of
the suburbs and made their dash to
the banks of the stream. oh, that they
could only cross 1t and drive the Turk
Ing foe with dripping bayonetsl But
still the stern mandate came from the
distant rear, Defend, but don't adj
vance beyond, the line" Another Instant
and another cheer, ringing, hearty,
spontaneous, went up among the teams
and caissons OF the battery, and the
commander of the advancing regiment,
hating in surprise at the sound of his
own name, turned, saw the smiling,
swarthy faces under the dim light of
the street lamp and, half shaking
gauntleted fist, raised his campaign
hat and smiled greeting and apprecia-
ton.
A moment later, his battalions care
fully disposed, one on each side of the
highway, under cover of the walls, the
colonel turned his active little mount
across the way, and "old hands, of
Pawnee days and the Lieutenant they
knew and honored in the batteries
faced each other under fire, and Lang.
don was grasping the brawny fists of
men who We're humble cannoneers the
day they lifted up their voices in part
ing shout for the "best officer In Bat.
terry D." Again came the crash of vol
leys from the right front and the
Shrek of Krupp shell overhead, and
staff officer came squirting back from
the blockhouse up the highway. Colo
mel Nathan hereY he shouted loud in.
sistent, imperative. a dozen voices an
swered, dozen hands Indicated the
way. "The general wants You at the
footbridge at once sir" We're the add
ed words, and there was but scant re-
spect In the tone. There was utter
scorn of the etiquette of the service
that demands of n mounted officer that
hn oil toll hot MI
afoot. Drowning men grasp at straws.
Anything to temporize, Nathan seized
eagerly the preteSt. ''If you intend
that remark for me, SIR" he said, "you
will dismount and convey 1t with prop
er respect" but the aid had not even
stopped to listen. He was squirting
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.
Here" 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
SiSSS az MANU- put lilcu luCSS 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 atrug-
gle, with staring, sightless eyes. Strong
rniSaI ~ = ,.
uge of an adjoining wall Low flying
Mausers had found their billet in the
recumbent line. FIRST blood for the
Filipino muttered grizzled major,
with an upward glance ut Langdon,
who was herding his men like shep-
herd with his flock closer within the
shelter of the lane. AYE, but we'll have
full satisfaction after sunup." cried the
aid-de-camp. his voice quiverlng with
excitement. "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 n moment.
III guide you"
Along the lane they urged their
steeds. minutes swift trot brought
them to the southern outskirts of the
village, and the flats of the ricelields.
scanned by little ridges of stiffened mud
and streaked by winding estuaries, lay
before them-the banks of the main
stream, the Tripa, frlnged with letting
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 1t dimly out
lined forms crouched in the open fields
behind the firing line of the Column
bias. frail footbridge, thrown up by
the engineers. spanned the sluggish
tide. and white chips few from the
hand rail as the top was grazed by
whistling lead. Under a clump of
bamboo at the edge of the lane three
orderlies We're holding little bunch of
horses. The officers, throwing them
selves from saddle and bending low,
sped swiftly out along the narrow dixie
and over the swaying bridge. where's
Colonel Nathanp demanded the chief
as he saw his aid and Langdon. ~
told you to find him first"
Il did. sir, and gave the message"
wns the instant reply.