Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-02-28
THE STRAWS OF DEATH.

! The regiment was settling down tOl
the night with some Tumbling and much
| profane testing, for Western volunteers
| possess a sense of humor superior to tic
most trying conditions. Somewhere in
| the darkness in front, the Filipinos were
taking pot shots between their cigarettes
as an occasionaf zeu! attested.
There go the damn typewriters!'
cried a young private. Firing at fire
flies, as usual! No sleep tonight"
"1ypewriters' was a contemptucus ap.
pellation given to the Fourteenth regu-
lars, because the popping of their maya
| zine guns in the distance slightly resein-
bled the noise of the machine of peace.
Put your mouth on the safety notch, -
| ordered the captain from the right of the
company. They're sending out the out
posts. Get their bearings, so that you
can shoot around then if the ball opens
up"
Two men were receiving final instruc-
tlons from the colonel, previous to ven
turing into the hostile country in front.
Sneak out about 200 yards" ordered the
officer, ''and lie low. Ii you see any signs
OF an attack, try to get back and warn
rs. II you can't get back. you must
warn Us somehow, and take your
chances. No need to tell YOU TO be care
ful. You hold the lives of many men IN
your hands Good luck. boys."
This sort of work is called Cossaci;
outpost duty and men detailed upon it
should not be men of family or nerves.
A few nights previously two nervous
men were detailed upon it One OF them
fired at white pariah dog The shot
no GnI hn -.
series of volleys, lasting thirty minutes.
in the direction of the outposts. The
Americans awakened from sound sleep
and let go several unauthorized volleS ;.
Consequently the two nervous men. being
between two fires, were riddled with two
Kinds of ammunition.
The two men detailed for this evenings
work were of different metal. "Moritmi
te salutamus, colonel" said one with o
reckless laugh. With the easy noncha
lance of veterans they gave the rifle
salute, and, sliding over the top of the
french, disappeared into the night.
There 60 two good men" observed
the colonel.
The two men tiptoed across the dry
rice paddles, each holding his rifle at TIE
ready, There was no sound except the
occasional hiss of a random bullet or the
faint and distant pop of a rifle.
Guess this is far enough" said ore
Of the men at length; here is a little hol.
low. Why it is almost as safe as the
trench"
The other acquiesced with n faint MR.
mur, and they sprawled upon the ground
facing the cnemy's territory.
ITS e queer freak or fate that we two
should be detailed on this together" OBJ
served the shorter of the two. after
avoiding each other 30 successfully"
It's damned queer, Osbounc," re-,
turned the other, but Wen have to stand
it,"
at is not that | would want better
man for tight place, Wade.'' said Os-
bourne, but there is that one thing"
Yes, | know" YEARLY; that's the
trouble. II You were not as good or a
better mar than |, there would be no
danger of Helen Bartlett caring for vo,i.' -
I'VE were good Friends in the old DAYS,
Billy" said Osboumc. rather huskiy
If one of us only loved her little les -
mo 90, Tom" replied the other IL
is either her or hell for me- Our friend
ship was holy thing, but she is above
that, Would YOU"
no, you are right. Its no thorough
fare My God! | wish it were ended
| one way or the other"
What can we dor" Queried Wade. with
studied composure 1--WE can't eouce
each other with hayonets out here, and
| SpringGelds at two yards is a bit To-
| unique"
c,homne laughed harshly. I'VE Nigh.
draw stFaws. the loser speedily to NEE:
an accidental death"
"No. thanks" replied Wade Il an
willing to take my bullet ii il comes. but
not that way. One OF lis might get il
dccently at any time
You're right, Wade" said Osbourne
You're good fellow"
Same to Vou." returned Wade. Let
quit chattcring and attend to our work.
For some time they lay silent, starin.
into the darkness for things they eoul,
not see, even had they been there. 0nl,
The intermittent popping of musketr,
and the occasional ecu, of Mauser bul
let broke the silence. Now and thcl
they could see through the blackness
faint, H0meBtary red fare.
"Confouud them" observed 0shournJ
the Fllipinos can smoke, anyhow. In
dying for a cigarette"
III YOU light match here" SAT-
Wade wen he a target for about 400
rifles"
That's true enough" agreed Osbourn,
with soft. chuckle; cigarettes ar
rather expensive cut here" Anothc
period of silence followed.
Wade inquired Osborne, suddenly
are YOU willing to try wild scheme fo
settling this matter foreyers"
Anything fair and reasonable" reptile
the other, Whats vour planf'
Draw straws." said Oshomne, brief,
the man who gets the short one to stan
mp and light match, amigo to hi
fathers
Wade caught his breath and RENAME
mute for some time, considering, Nc
80 bad, he observed. after time; "bu
we are on duty now"
ooh, the devil" said Osbourne, lightly
"thc Filipinos wouldn't attack for all Il
loot of Manila An outpost here is mer,
~ a matter of form Besides, one of u