The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-22
THE MALINGER.

semicircle of crashing Springfields and
sputtering Krag-Jorgensens. Outside
that semi-circle the F'ilipinos were rap
idly losing self-confidence and gaining
respect for the Americans. Within it
the United States troops of the reserve
checked an attempt at an uprising, and
waited impatiently for orders to the
front. But that semicircle remained IN
broken through the night.
In the cool of the morning the flying
battalion" of the First California regi-
nlent hurried along the road to FL Pace
70 join the First brigade. At intervals,
q brown face would peep through the
door of one of the nipa huts as the
troops passed, only to be Withdrawn
quickly There was a continuous con-
SlomeratiOn of sound very similar TO the
disturbance created in any large city on
independence day. 1t increased in VOL
ume as the soldiers moved. The men
should have been in a sober frame of
mind. but they seemed to be thrilled
with unholy joy, for they whistled to
the effect that there would be a hot time
presently, and profane witticisms were
shouted from one end of the line to the
other. There was an impatient accelera-
ton OF step, but the rhythmic swing Of
the blue sleeves and the leggined limbs
would have passed muster at dress pa
rade.
They found the brigadier and his staff
on little hillock outside of Ell Pace.
whispered through the ranks, Two COM
panies to the blockhouse on the double.
Report to Col Whalley!" The COM.
l handing officer swung his horse about
id met the pleading eyes of four cap
aims. All of them wanted the chances;
but there was no time to weigh their
claims.
az and M" he said, quickly. A sharp
command. emphasized by an oath. ana,
with a stihed cheer. two companies
in fhraas Int
the zone of stray bullets. just as two
crashing reports that seemed to mini
n1ize the incessant rattle of the rifles
announced that an American field-bat-
terry had begun to clear the way for an
advance The Ecu of the Mauser bullets
overheard was a signal for some in
stinctive ducking. and a repetition of
the testing. forced and otherwise. First
Sergeant Joyce, of F, was one of the
humorists. IF we were forty feet high
a lot of US would be hit in the head,
he remarked.
The two companies trotted up slight
incline in the road to noisy little
blockhouse that almost hid itself in the
smoke of thirty Springfields. In the
shelter of the blockhouse a surgeon and
two hospital stewards were working
over some of the casualties" There
were white faces and bloody linen ban
dages, and farther on some motionless
forms with campaign hats covering
their glazed eyes ana set lCdluISS, Due
even where the knife glittered there
was no sound of complaint.
To the right of the blockhouse was an
Irregular line of gray smoke-pufts
where a battalion of Washington vol
unteers were sprawled behind dyke
in the rice fields. One of them, a few
yards from the road, rose suddenly and
fell forward on his face. Two of his
fellows lifted him quickly, and, crouch
ing close to the ground, half carried,
half dragged him to the dressing sta
ton.
The captain of F company threw aside
his cigar and turned to Joyce, who lay
close beside him. His narrow eyes
,eemed a bit bigger, and he gnawed his
ray mustache refiectively for an IN
ant.
@Joyce." he said. sharply. "if I get it,
You be good to my little girl
yes. sir" said Joyce, quietly, land II
it's my turn-tell her-you know"
The field officer in command in the
blockhouse hurried out. His round face
was lit with triumphant smile Get
readi The artillery's got 'em going"
Ready to move" cried the captain,
and there was a Tightening OF straps.
Haversaclxs were thrown wide open. The
men wanted to rid themselves OF their
extra cartridges first.
Wen advance by platoons. You have
command of the second-a good chance
for you." said the captain to Joyce.
What's the matter ne CTleu dDIuptly'
for Joyces face was distorted and of
greenish hue, and he lay with his knees
pressed up toward his face.
Cramps" moaned the first sergeant,
in agonized tones.
Rush right out at command, shouted
the field officer. Get ready"
Get upr' cried the captain. fiercely,
to the sergeant. Pull yourself to-
getherl"
errfr h{c hndy ann9TnntlX IN the
throes of the sharpest pain
You dirty cur-you malingerlng
hound"
There was an almost imperceptible lull
IN the noise of the bullets
Forward" shouted the field officer
The captain kicked the shaking man
on the ground with savage force, ana
echoing the command, melted into
swirling mass of blue and khaki that
fioundered into the rice field ahead OF
the Washington men, and separated
swiftly into skirmish line.
One of the men stopped for fraction
of a moment and clutched Joyce by the
arm. For Gods sake. Billy, come" he
said and dragged him a few feet toward
the road Then he desisted and, with d
parting, Stay and be BANKED to YOU"
rushed after his company That was
Joyce's bunkie fulfilling the office of
bunkie.
Joyce dragged himself toward the
surgeon. who knelt over a PROSTATE
soldier bandaging wound in the thigh.
The mans trousers leg had been cut
: II at the HIP leaving one sinewy limb
Hre. If the wound caused him pain
he did not give evidence of it, for his
face wore an exceedingly cheerful grin,
and he remarked. every now and then:
II wouldn't care a - but the -
spoiled my only pair of pants"
The surgeon glanced at Joyce. Where
are you hurt2" he asked. quickly.
ITS not bullet It's cramps" gasped
Joyce, doubling up and writhIng on the
ground,
IT'S a funny time to have cramps.
You've got cold feet" snapped the sur
Keon.
Two men of the hospital corps Stun
bled across the road bearing a recum-
bent figure on a litter. The wounded
man was spattered with mud from head
to feet and there were splashes on his
white face. 1t was Joyce's bunkie.
The doctor tore open the blue shirt.
revealing a circular wound on the left