The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-10

Inents lest the natives, who for weeks
had been building redoubts and planting
cannons, should accuse the Americans oi
hostile Intent. Loyal 70 their outy and
| observant OF instructions that were hard
20 appreciate or understand. they had
some OF their best and bravest swept
away, but ground their teeth and gripped
| ,heir Springfelds harder and took heart
| IN me promise passed along the crouch
ms Hne: our time will come, lads.
| wait I'LL broad daylight"
sbnain,an nna now u was nearly ., arss from the
snsl,er sn or old earthen walls and mounds
across the crooked Trfpa the Tagal rifles
were pouring I'm heavy hre on the flank
and even the rear OF the Americans lying
south OF the bridge. Every company OF
gagged. and the brigade commander gall
loped 10 his reserve. halted among the
streets OF Paco. The mountain guns Of
the regulars were believing from the left
or the block ouse ut the Krupps under
me convent walls at Santa Ana The
snai, l0ngi r. rinsd breechioadsrs & at Battery
We're Mere sending shrapnel spattering into
Mausers were spitefully cracking. Every
where, as the dawn began 10 streak the
skies above the village roofs. the roar OF
Dattie stunned the ear. and men hugged
the mounts OF the staff and field officers.
squealed and bit and kicked In nervous
wrath at the unseen. kissing. vicious
demons OF the air that buzzed about
their ears or bit or scored their way
along haunch and flank. Behind the
stone wall, well within the limits OF the
natty khaki uniform. had dsmounted.
and was expo~tulating with his pony as
the general gailoped up.
Put two companies in at once on the
right OF the village. facing that shack
yonder! What's the matter with your
horse, coionel?"
Seems to be scared. sir. thought he
was hit-he behaved so bad" was the
faltering answer.
Then mount my orderly's He'll stand
anything. You take the coloneIs, Han
ford" said the chief TO the tall lad who
rode at his heels. Lively, now, Nathan,
there's not q second TO losei I'll relieve
you here with the washoes."
Under the dim light OF the street lamps,
In the first gray mists OF the morning,
swinging up the main street in solid sets
Of fours. came column of sturdy foot.
striding an though burning with eager
ness 70 get into the fight.
Move your battalion into the side
streets. right and left. Colonel Langdon,"
were the quick orders. Keep them under
what's the matter with those Column
bias?" he snapped, eager. impatient, In
tolerant OF delay. Here, bring your
men through this lane, captainl' And
away went the generals protesting pony
and n brace OF aids-de-camp. two COM
panies OF the Columbias, arms at a trail,
scurry.ng after them afoot. Something de-
layed their field ofYicer-s,irrups too long |
or too short He was fercely tugging at |
the leather on one side, his orderly bugler |
On the other. The little steed with which |
he had experienced such unaccountable \
displayed astonishing agility |
and zeal the moment the boy orderly j
straddled him and darted away on the /
trail OF the Columbias without so much |
rs a protest Drawn up within a little /
vailed inclusure the caissions OF the
guns stood sheltered from the
Mausers whistiing overhead from the
,lazing front. A squad OF eager drivers.
,rouching by the gate. snickered at the
light across the narrow way. "Nathan's
'ery particular just where that holes
rot 10 be punched" jeered q grizzled
Iriver who had served in the old battery.
Particular not to get one In his own
Tide, you mean.' laughed mate.
Where's his colonel, anyhow"
over at the right. Nathan only had
our companies. Here comes Washoe
low" And then at the right front. be-
'ond the village walls. a mad cheer went
p 10. the skies. followed by a crashing
'olley. The Columbias had burst from
he thickets at the edge OF the suburbs
nd made their dash TO the banks OF the
tream. oh. that they could only cross
and drive the lurking foe with dripping
aySnets! But still the stern mandate
anne from the distant rear, Defend,
ut don't advance beyond the line" An
ther instant and another cheer, ringing,
earty, spontaneous. went up among the
cams and caissons OF the battery, and |
ne commander of the advancing regi-
rent, halting In surprise at the sound OF
is own name, turned. saw the smiling.
warthy faces under the dim light OF the
a - - 4
fist, raised his campaign hat and
miled greeting and appreciation.
A moment later his battalions careful
: disposed, one on each side of the high
ay, under cover OF the walls. the colo
Ell turned his active little mount across :
he way, and ''old hands" OF Pawneel
ays and the lieutenant they knew and
onored in the batteries faced each other
nder fire. and Langdon was grasping
lie brawny fists OF men who were humble ,
the day they lifted up their 1
oices In parting shout for the best ofri- )
'r in Battery d." Again came the crash
volleys from the right front and the
lriek OF Krupp shell overhead and a | {
an officer came squirting back from the I
ockhouse up the highway. Colonel Ma I
IAN here?" he shouted loud. insistent. | G
operative. A dozen voices answered, |
zen hands Indicated the way. THE | I
neral wants you at the footbridge at n
ice sir" were the added words, and +
ere was but scant respect In the tone. /
here was utter scorn OF the etiquette of | v
o service that demands of a Z
ounted officer that he alight before ad- n
essing senior afoot. Drowning men o
asp at straws Anything to temporize
athan seized eagerly the pretext 'Tf
n intend that remark for me. SIR" he
Id, you will dismount and convey IL
tn proper respect" but the aid had not
en- stopped to listen. He was squirting
'iftly down the line OF the washoes
ouching ut tho roadside. and there was
irked difference in the tone with which
asked for Colonel Langdon. "Herel"
ng the prompt answer as that officer
stantly dropped his chat with the gum
RS and rened out into the road. The
was In the sky, the pallid light OF
WIN already strong enough 10 outline
ms and figures close at hand, but all
ms faces were drawn and wan. There
been long nights of vigil and later b
, strain OF long hours under fire. Two 81
n OF the nearest company, close to the