Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-08-01
Fall in!' said Reeder II loud, firm

AACCp II up, SlI. Sdlu ISSl
the strength comm back to my bones
as if I'd had nip Of grog."
Lug me up to the gum" ordered
Reeder.
The men bent down and took an arm
each. They helped but feebly yet the
lieutenant got over the ground toward
the weapon. ur-Point-Seven had
stopped sinking and was now lying for
lornly on one side with the muZzle and
the breech near the ground. so near
that men could load her while on their
knees To any one approaching over
the primitive road the gun and the sick
and wounded were alike invisible a
thousand yards away.
Prop me up here against this stone"
continued the lieutenant, land be smart
about it, my lads" He smiled as he
gave the order.
That's the ticket, sir!' exclaimed
Harry, with a grin. "It's as good as
pantymime."
''It makes a first rate chair, sir-the
stone for a back an the soft earth for
seat" commented Jock when they
had helped the lieutenant to a sitting
posture. eff you'd like an armchair l
can get you a couple of stones to put
your elbows on
mo, thank you; l want my elbows
Free" answered the lieutenant. "Give
her a bit of list to port, if you can.
Just a touch up with that handspike.
There; that's enough. Now she has an
uninterrupted view from her one eye of
the roadway. Now, if all's tight, make
yourselves scarce in the ditch here"
Jock and Harry. exhausted with
their labors, did as they were ordered.
The lieutenant crawled from his stone
support and stretched himself upon his
back near the gun, the lanyard of
which he held.
eff they do come past u.s." he muir
INJURED, 1--WE shall be ready to receive
'em. Now, old girl, if you never dis
tinguished yourself before, see that
you do it now. Let me see-that dis
NAL looking trees about 1000 yards
away. The shell will catch the head
of 'em and do mischief with the body
and tail unless I'm a Dutchman. Are
they really here? They are coming in
a bee line for u.s."
He raised himself on his elbow and
looked The column came on, solid,
resistless, it seemed, straight for the
spot where Point-Seven and the
remnant of her crew were hidden. It
was like a wall advancing. Banners
were waving, and the men were crying
excitedly.
Those who were first among them
kept stopping to examine the road, in
which the footmarks of the retreating
force were clearly seen. They came
on like a huge pack of hounds keen
on the scent and having the quarry
almost visible.
The mass came nearer. Reeder saw
that the entire column was in the d1-
rect line of fire Of FourP oint-Seven,
that shot or shell must bore lane
down the very middle of the mass
and that bursting shell must devas-
tate the forces. He fell fiat on his
face and pulled the lanyard.
There were a crash and a hiss from
Four-Point-Seven. At the same in
slant there were appalling cries and
another crash, the sound Of the burst
ing shell.
Reeder, Jock and every sailor who
could move rose up to mark what
Four-P oint-Seven had done.
"They run, they rum cried Reeder.
"Its doubled 'em up! They didn't ex-
pect it, and they're demoralized.
eff we could only get another in,"
said Harry longingy.
"But we can't" Jock answered.
"Theres no more ammunition. Be
sides, look at the gum
The lieutenant looked and saw that
Four-P oint-Seven had been driyen by
the recoil deep into the earth.
"Not all the men here, sir, could get
her out of that" added Jock, "even
if they could stand on their legs. But
what is that"
Reeder turned slowly and looked to
the rear. He saw men-men with white
hats and helmets hurrying over the
ground. '"They're our own people!' he
enforced and coming back for us. Hur-
rah. Hurrah! Hurrah!" he cried. wav-
ing his hand The effort was too much
for him and he tainted.
When he came round he saw that
marine artillery officer from his own
ship was bending over him, offering
him liquid from his water bottle.
"You numbering young man." said
the gunner in deep admiration. They'll
have to call you the 'plow' in future.
Why, you pretty well wiped regiment
out with that shot,
"Good old r-Point-Seven!' said
Reeder. II always knew she'd do US
WELL She'll be a credit to us all for
long enough yet if we can only get her
out of the mud"
''You are wrong there" said the gun
ner. "She'll talk no more. She can't
possibly be got away from here, so as
soon as we're all clear Of this spot she'll
be blown up Here comes the stretcher
cbapS for vo,1-vo11 have tho honor TO