Gloucester County Democrat., 1903-08-20
FOUR-POINT-
SEVEN ~
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By WALTER WOOD
Copyright, 1s0s, by 7. c. Mcclure

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| Four Point-Seven was attached to al
expedition operating against a strong
ly intrenched body Of Boxers. An ad
miral commanded, and it was his pur
pose to reach and destroy the enemy
before they could muster In greater
force.
-Four Point-Seven," said Jock to {
comrade at the end of the first march
'is a useful creature. but a big, un
willin' lump. What want to know
is why Four-P Point nt-Seven? why no
| maxims or pompoms or mountain
guns -somethin' you can bring will
you if you want 'em; eh, Harry?'
Bring 'em away from heather
Chineev' exclaimed the comrade
"Never! There's no turnin' back OF
this journey"
I've been in China before" sait
! Jock, "an' l know the breed. We'v,
only a handful after all, an if we'r,
overpowered"
For five days the expedition forced
it's way into the land of the enemy
sometimes meeting and beating hin
and sometimes advancing unopposed
| The commanding officer then began II
see that success was not to follow hin
and gave the word for a return to The
place from which they had started. By
| this time number of the officers anG
men had been killed. disease was break
ing out, and the number of the sick ant
wounded grew.
Not shot had been fired by Four
Point-Seven, and her weakened crew
| dragged disappointedly at the heavy
bulk. The retreat was kept up for two
full days; then it was known that &
horde of imperial troops was following
to cut off stragglers. It's more case
of cut up than cut off If they get us,
said Jock, by way of grim jest. "Wil
the admiral never tell us to heave heI
into the nearest hole?''
But there was no need for command
like that One of the wheels of the car
riage sank deep into bed of mud, and
| the most furious efforts of the crew
could not get it out
Lieutenant Reeder was among the
wounded. He had been shot through
both ankles and could not walk joel
and Harry were among the sick and
could scarcely crawl. They watched
with languid interest while the ad
mirals order that the gun should be
destroyed and the ammunition buried
was given. At the same time the sicE
and wounded were placed on the
ground near Four-P Point Seven.
Reeder watched earnestly. He un
derstood before the admiral came up tc
him to explain.
'I've got to leave you," said the
admiral. God knows how l feel
about ii. but it's the only way"
II understand that, SIR" said Reeder
IT know it will take you all your time
to get away with those who are sound
let alone the cripples and the sick
But leave us the gun, sir, and SHE'LL
BE it so," said the admiral, "and
goodby."
"Goodby, sir" answered Reeder
He raised himself little as he spoke
but, exhausted with the effort, he sank
back.
1t seemed long before the lieutenant
heard sound of any sort. Then he
raised his head and looked sharply
across the country before him, for he
heard the sound of distant marching
But nothing met his gaze. His head
sank back.
Jock and Harry heard the noise also
rs it to be case of tryin' to run
for it after ALL" asked Harry, "or
squattin' ere till they come on?'
wait for EN-" said Jock grimly
"But we shan't wait long It'll soon
be over when they see us, an they
can't miss They're walkin' straight
on top of u.s."
"I've told you, men," said Reeder
sternly, whose sharp ears had caught
the sounds, 'that / won't have you
either talking or moving. Put your
rifles down and shut your mouths. If
this move fails then blaze away as
hard as you please, only, in mercy's
sake, give me shot first and keep q
couple for yourselves. That II be bet
ter shift than ever you'll get from
devils like these.''
They raised their heads little, but
even yet did not see what the lieu
tenants purpose was.
"Jock," said Reeder, after pause
"Sir," answered the seaman.
"Can you climb on to your pins for
two minutes? Helps coming. I'm
sure of that The admiral was pretty
certain or he wouldn't have gone and
left US here. Can you lend handf
You're about the only one left among
US that can stand"
Jock forced himself into a sitting
position. Without saying a word he
struggled to his feet, stood on them
for full second and sank to the
ground He gave short, hard laugh.
you've seen that exhibition, sir.
What do you think?"
"Why,' answered Reeder stoutly, 81
think you can. my lad. Jock. you've
got to-"
Put it as an order. sir,'' said Jock
with strange light in his eyes. "Can
you stand an walk yourself at all?"
81 can crawl BIT" said the lieuten-
ant.
$50 can l." said feeble voice near
him.
"Why, Harry" said Reeder, 81
thought you were"
$50 did I, sir, but I'm not-not yet
Can you do as Jock says, sir-make II
an order, like? Give us the word to
fall in, STRAP it out well. Then we
can't help 1t. Force of habit IL see us
through
Fall int" said Reeder in loud, firm
voice.
Jock and Harry struggled to their
feet. They tottered; but, supporting
each other. they did not succumb.
Keep it up, SIR" said Harry. Il feel
the strength comm back to my bones
as If I'd had a nip of grog.'
"Lug me up to the gun," 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 Four-P Point-Seven had
stopped sinking and was now lying for
lornly on one side with the muzzle and
the breech near the ground, SO neal