The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-04

the worse for drink. You gamble every chancs
you get They even say-oh, McRafferty-
that you don't play fair
Bones faced him stubbornly. 81 dom tlike
the beer 1t makes me sick. And don't
care for the money when am gambling"
Then why do you sully your fathers mem-
Dry and hurt Your best friends?"
The boy drew in his breath with almost q
sob he said slowly:
Because I'm a man, and want to prove
it. I'm tired of being called kid by all the
regiment. When beat them enough. they'll
STOP"
The chaplain laughed bitterly. you
man. and break your word! You man, and
cheat at cards! If you keep on as you have
begun, you will become. not man. but
disgrace to the regiment"
Bones turned away without answer. II the
chaplain could have seen the tears in his
eyes, he might have added comforting word.
The boys heart was swelling with grief and
Indignation. "Some day he shall call me
man. he promised himself.
Mules, men and ambulances were crowded
in the narrow, muddy, heavily rutted road
which led through the tangled jungle. From
the front came the sound of heavy firing from
the Spanish trenches and blockhouse where
the red and yellow flag still futtered.
A regiment of regulars came swinging
slender figure came up pantingly from the
rear. The sergeant, who was file closing,
ran UP with an oath.
what brought you here, you young devil?
Do you think We are on dress parade? Get
back to the ambulances where you belong.
81 can't, Sergeant Bull said the boy, with
an injured air 1.-The doctor said 1 was only
in the way didn't know the difference be-
tween the litter and the lancet. Told me to
go to the devil, so came to you.
Blame you, Bones" said the sergeant,
with grin, edo you think can't tell one OF
your lies? Go back to the rear, and be quick
about it!''
.Ah, SERGE" cried Bones, ''don't send me-
back! can shoot as straight as the rest
you've no Krag."
'tI'll take your gun when you're killed"
''You little beast, go back like man and
obey orders
| McRafferty's eyes glowed. "That's why I'm
here!" he cried. The chaplain said I'd never
| make man, but I'll prove he is wrong.
Suddenly the company buglers rang out:
Forward, double time! March, At a run
the company came out of the jungle Into the
open. Bones was forgotten.
A shell screeched through the air and
seemed to burst Immediately over his head.
Three men fell shrieking in front Of him,
dropping their guns. For a moment he
thought of the rear and safety. Then the
grizzled captain, old In Indian wars, stepped
! out calmly.
STEADY, my men. They'll never hit US like
that twice. They don't know how
McRafferty's voice led the answering cheer.
He forward, grabbed gun and cartridge
belt from one Of the dead soldiers and pushed
| himself into the ranks beside Nobby. The
veteran took q moment to give him hug.
Good for you, my beauty! You've no bust
| ness here, but keep close to me, my little
mad soldier"
|
| dropped, fired. 1t was logged advance IN
der fire. In struggling groups through tangled
\ underbrush and snag beset stream the
men charged San Juan hill.
| At last Bones sank down exhausted by a
little group of painting men. A despairing
| corporal looked up the ridge where the Span
ish flag still Haunted and down the hill at the
| stragglers.
| cts no use, boys" said he; 1--WE can never
| make it,
| ITO hi we can't! cried the moddened
| child of the regiment. An inspiration came
to him. Drawing out his flute, he pieced it
| together and put it to his lips. Standing
| erect, his fair, capless head cleaning in the
sun, his blue eyes glared at the flag on the
| ridge, while Yankee Doodle" rang out
| bravely above the noise Of musketry. From
| below came great shout, and hundreds OF
! bluecoats came on with run. Bones ad-
vanced with them, head well back, triumph in
his air.
There was a rush past him. The red and
yellow flag fell at last. Bones threw up his
arm, with cheer. Something, the last shot
Of retreating foe, struck him in the chest.
He fell, grasping his dute.
There was a crowd about him, and his head
was in the chaplain's lap Bones looked up.
Its taps, amt it," he whispered
eyes, my man. said the chaplain.
Bones tried to straighten up. Il proved it
to you! l am mani" Then he fell back.