The National tribune., 1902-03-20
THE CORPORAL'S LAST CARTRIDGE.
Story of Gallant Fight to Save Rival from the Boos Of
the Fiipinos
the FiIipinOs
By CAPT, HARRY L. WELLS, I'd Ore., U. S. v.

boy, though she did not laugh this time.
Instead, she had laid her hand on his
shoulder and bid him prove himself to be
man.
He looked down at the unconscious Of
fcer, slowly bleeding to death, with bit
! terness in his heart. Here was the man
who had come between him and his boy
hood love and the passion of his young
manhood. here, dying before his eyes, if
not soon given surgical attention. All he
| had to do was to keep on as he was now
doing, keep the Filipinos in check by
occasional shots until darkness came, and
he and his companions could retire under
| its shelter, or sooner, if the Lieutenant
should die before that time, or until pos
sible help came from the camp by dis
covery of their peril in some manner by
their comrades. lie would be doing his
| full duty as a soldier and would receive
| the cOmmendatiOn of his company com
mander and possibly that of higher au-
thority for his sturdy defense. just then
one of the men turned over on his side
and said:
Say, Billy, l hain't but 10 cartridges
left
"Four's all l got coolly remarked the
other.
Having been busy for time looking
after the wounded man, the Corporal had
more, but his own supply was but 19.
Well, what OF it? lie could give some Of
his to Jack, and by not shooting so often
they could hold out for another hour, and
by that time help might come. or the
Lieutenant might die. and then it would
be honorable for them to seek their own
safety by stealing back under the cover
of the pike until it would be safe TO eX-
pose themselves and run for ii. Might
be dead? Yes. that was it. The man
who had come between him and Marion
might be dead. He might hope, with that
obstacle out OF the way, to win the wOm-
ans love that had been his when she was
but girl. And no one would know that
he had in any way contributed to that re-
suit. Indeed. he would be praised for his
bravery and loyalty to his wounded Off
Ger in staying by him and defending him
to the last.
He looked at the white face Of the IN
conscious man. into which the blistering
sun was glaring. and his eyes strayed to
the little stream of blood trickling from
the exposed wound where the bandage
had been wrenchcd away by his strug-
giles. Then his eyes unconsciOusly
turned to the picture he still held in his
hand. This was the Marion he loved,
who would despise him forever if she
knew of his conduct. This was the Marion
whose good opinion he valued more than
his life. more even than her love, the Ma
TlOn WHO Uau IOl0 MIN TO prove DlnSeI
man. He would prove it, and in such
way that she would never forget his
grave in far-off LuzOn. He would be
such q man as the American soldier has
often shown himself to be. He would die
to save the life of a comrade. His re-
solve was quickly taken. Being Cor
pOral, he was in command, and his orders
could not be disputed while the Lieuten-
ant was unconscious. He quickly decided
upon his course.
Jim, come here and help me bind up
this wound again." he said, as he put the
photograph into his pocket. so that per-
chance Marion might know the full mean
ing of his sacrifice.
Having bound the wound tightly with
all the bandages from the three first-aid
packages, he gave his orders.
Boys, We might be able to stand off
these GoOgOOs until help came or until
dark, possibly, but the Lieutenant would
die. His only chance is TO get him to
the Surgeon. If we undertake to carry
him the GOOgOos will probably rush u.s.
and that will be the end of all of us. Now
| want you two to tie your coats between
your rifles so as to make litter. then put
the Lieutenant on it and carry him slow
ly along under the shelter of the pike.
Leave me what cartridges you have left
and / will stand them off until you get
far enough away to be safe, and then
will sneak back, too, if L can. If not |
will depend upon you to bring me help
from the camp. You can do it in an
hour"