Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1902-02-01

ecurfng a move ME nj which was expect
ed TO crown the ma jor's brow with
laurel. They were scurrying over q
route. characterized by many trees and
a deep railway cutting. TO the rear OF
the position occupied by the colonefs
party.
The movement was nearly success
full. To Private O'MaIley. who was not
In either party, owing to illness, was
due its failure.
The hospital tent chsnced 10 be with
n comfortable earShot where the ma
Ssf and HIS aides made their plans.
O'Malley waited until the surgeon had
gone forth TO witness the battle, and
then he lifted the canvas and erePt
out. He had no difficulty in elucing
the pickets. nor in passing the line of
the attacking party.
sure" said he, "Oi've important In
formation for the colonel" and they
permitted him TO pass.
Up the hiI he went, a solitary fgure,
undaunted by the rifle fire. On the
skirmish line he was halted. but only
for an instant. He caught one gallant
rifeman under the chin, and with a
carefully directed kick sent another
rolling into the open. Invalid though
he was, he bade fair 20 take the posi-
tion by sheer force Of his brawny
arms.
! Fortunately, the colonel saw him be
fore the entire force Of skirmi shers
had gone 20 the assistance OF their
wounded comrades.
Here. herel" he called. ri~ing for
ward. What's al this2"
~'Tis ownly me, Bill," answered
O'Malley. "'Oive important informa-
tion for ye. lis dirty trick
The colouers nerves being on edge
he was exasperated. he motioned the
others away
Don't call me Bill" he Numbered;
/, 'can me sir. I'm the colonel Of the
, regiment. my man."
oh sad O'Mal'ey, scftly. after
staring interval. Is thot it2 Well
the information Ofve brought IS not
FOR yc. then. 'Tis sorry I am. too. fo'
In a little whole yer enemy, the ma
( Tor. III he rcttin' the upper hand az
% yc. and the fame av him as strate
D gist and a tictacter'n be trichln
through the regiment as beer trieAle
down dry throat. and thot's ire
e sistible The men'll never forget hov
= he outwitted ye. Twill be talked
, about AT home, and a certain Nouni
lady Orm thinlxiu' avn hear av it. an
{ tbs much a1Ieeted she'll bs, for IN
ladies'. moind We. loike men tho
q win the battles they foight. All. yi'
D. tits sorry Oi am. upon me loife.'
l. The coionei glanced hurried
T. down the bill aud 20 the right an
l. 20 the left. but not once 20 the real
. He leaned forward, and som, thina
~ perhaps the action. caused the bloc
TO surge into his face.
=. "O'Malley.~ ne whispered, Il don
care a cuss what you call me' oni
tell rae what you know.
n Aud c'Malisy tcld him,
Ii was said afterward that the ma
= had been slightly touched by the sui
which accounted for his peculiar col
duet that day, and the statement,
far as / know, was never dispute
When the major, already hushs
J. with triumph. was not quarter OF
y mile from the coloners position,
-, was met by volley after voliey
|. blank cartridge shots and whole *
!. fuls OF jeering yells. lie was crus
- mgly defeated.
The oidea," snorted Private q Ma
he ley. "av thOt pompouS little ou'
=. thinkin' he could outwit Billi
\ All of which goes TO prove in
measure what queer things eneam
ments OF citizen soldiery are, AZ
- how perfectly they accomplish &
ends for which they are intended.
en-