Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-01-09


volunteers possess a sense of humor
superior to the most trying conditions.
Somewhere in the darkness in front,
the Filipinos were taking pot shots
between their cigarettes, as an occa-
sional Zeu! attested.
"There 90 the blamed typewriters,"
cried young private. Firing at
fireflies, as usual. No sleep tonight"
"Typewriters" was contemptuous
appellation given to the Fourteenth
Regulars, because the popping of their
magazine guns in the distance slightly
resembled 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 send
ing out the outposts. Get their bear
mgs so that you can shoot around them
if the ball opens up"
Two men We're receiving final in
structions from the colonel, previous to
venturing into the hostile country in
front. "Sneak out about 200 yards"
ordered the officer, land lie low. If
you see any signs of an attack, try
TO get back and warn us. If you can't
get back, you must warn US somehow.
and take your chances. No need to
tell you to be careful. You hold the
lives OF many men in your hands. Good
luck. boys"
This sort OF work is called Cossack
outpost duty and men detailed upon
it should not be men of family or
nerves. A few nights previously two
nervous men We're detailed upon it.
One Of them fred at white pariah
dog. The shot caused the Filipinos
to concentrate series of volleys last
ing thirty minutes in the direction of
the outpOsts. The Americans awak-
ened from n sound sleep and let go
several unauthorized volleys. Conse-
Quently the two nervous men, being
between two fires, We're riddled with
two kinds of ammunition.
The two men detailed for this even
ing's work were of different metal.
"Morituri te salutamus, colonel" said
one with a reckless laugh. With the
easy nonchalance of veterans, they
gave the rife salute, and, sliding over
the top of the trench, disappeared into
the night.
"There go two good men, observed
the colonel.
The two men tiptoed across the dry
rice paddles, each holding his rife at
the ready. There was no sound ex-
cept the occasional hiss of a random
1p11at tba fol inf nd icl MT of
q rifle.
Guess this is far enough" said one
of the men at length; "here is little
hollow. Why it is almost as safe as
the trench" The other acquiesced
with a faint murmur, and they
sprawled upon the ground facing the
enemy's territory.
Its a queer freak of fate that we
two should be detailed on this to-
gether," observed the shorter of the
two, latter avoiding each other so sue
cessfully."
"Its blamed queer, Osbourne," re-
turned the other, but We'll have to
stand it."
1T is not that | would want a better
man for tight place, Wade" said Os-
bourne, "but there is that one thing"
"Yes, l know" wearily; that's the
trouble. If you We're not as good or
better man than l. there would be no
danger of Helen Bartlett caring for
you"
I'VE were good friends in the old
days Billy" said Osbourne, rather
huskily; "if one of us only loved her
a little less"
mo go, Tom" replied the other. at
is either her or the jumping off place
for me. Our friendship was friendly
thing, but she is above that. Would
you"
= mo, you are right. It's no thorough
fare. | wish it We're ended, one way
or the other"
what can we do:" queried Wade
with studied composure I'VE can't
gouge each other with bayonets out
here, and Springfields at two yards is
a bit too unique"
Osbourne laughed harshly. Eve
might draw straws. the loser speedily
to meet an accidental death'
mo, thanks" replied Wade 81 am
am willing to take my bullet, If it
comes, but not that way. One of us
might get it decently at any time
you're right. Wade" said Osbourne.
"You're a good fellow"
"Same to you" returned Wade.
"Let's quit chatting and attend to our
work"
For some time they lay silent, star
Ing into the darkness for things they
could not see, even had they been
there. Only the intermittent popping
of musketry and the occasional zeu!
of a Mauser bullet broke the silence.
Now and then they could see through
the blackness a faint, momentary red
fare.
"Confound them," observed Os,