The National tribune., 1903-02-12

the same. You have that, solid. If an
ounce of rebel lead bursts this rattlepate
of mine, and you get through, tell her that,
and that l thought of her till the last
minute"
II viii, Shorty" responded his partner,
with strong handgrasp. Il could wish
no better husband for Maria If you pull
through, and don't, look out for Anna
BEL"
AS if she was my own sister,"
Here they come, boys" said 81, turn
ing to the others. Lay low and keep cool.
Don't shoot until they begin, and then
make every shot count. If they want to
pass us by, and pay no attention, let 'em.
1t they start to wipe us out, let's take one
along with US for every cartridge we
have"
The sound of musketry to the south and
west was now getting louder and clearer
every instant. There could be no mistake
that the Union reinforcements were arriv-
ing on the ground, and driving the rebels
back. Streams of men carrying dead and
wounded to the rear appeared in the dis
lance. Presently came men with arms in
their hands, and line was formed to
stop skulkers.
The Colonel in command had his arm
in sling, and his head tied up, and was
clearly IN savage mood, from the way
ne cursed those who were retreating, and
ordered his men to shoot them down, if
they would not stop. His line was yet
several hundred yards to the south of 81,
but his angry voice reached that far quite
clearly. He was bitterly disappointed at
the result of the days fighting, which had
was raging over the way the front line
was being forced back, compelling him to
retire his line, to catch those who were
too soon weary of strife, and seeking the
peaceful and attractive rear. In spite of
all he could do, however, his line was be-
ing pushed steadily backward, like boom
across river, by the driftwood collecting
against it.
The force out in the open field was drift
ing back, too. Buel's Brigade was re-
ceiving help, and recovering its old posi-
ton, and stragglers by hundreds were
mlngiing with the wounded, and with the
men carrying off dead and wounded Off
GERS. Other hundreds were striving to
drag back three cannon captured when
the Union line was forced.
A squad OF 30 or more, dragging one of
the guns, saw the trail leading up into the
woods, thought it would be easier pulling
than through the fed, and started up that
way, to Sis anger.
Don't shoot the men pulling the rope"
he called to Harry and ALT, who had
their carbines leveled. ''Shoot those two
hounds back farther. who're bossing the
job. Get 'em, sure"
we got EN-" announced Gid and ALI.
with satisfaction, as they peered through
the smoke.
The men with the cannon had piled
some OF their muskets on it, which they
snatched up and returned the fire. Pete
and Sandy came to the assistance of tbe
others, and round or two sent the rebels
away from the gun to the cover of the
bluff at the bank of the branch. but NOT
before bullet had broken one of Sandy's
ribs, knocking him fiat and senseless. AIf
sprang to his assistance, and Sandy pres
emily recovered sufficiently to take up his
carblne, and resume his place behind the |
log.
The sound of the firing attracted the at |
tention of the rebel Colonel, who had by |
this time been compelled to move back to |
within 1OO yards of the knoll. on the other |
side of the swaie to the southwest
What in - ?" he roared, with a tor
rent of profanity. What are those
Yankees doing there? How in - did
over there and destroy them. :"
We're iii for it, ST." said Shorty calm
y. III take the Lieutenant"
When the smoke raised little from the
four shots apiece which 81 and Shorty
bumped in with quick but deliberate
linn. they saw the Lieutenant and sew
,ral of his men lying in the briars and
brush of the bog, while the others were
'unning back toward their line.
The Colonel roared more -Eiciously and
,rofanely than ever "What in - e
he matter with you towards? Go back
here. l tell you. There's only handful
# the Yankees. Go back at once. Lieut..
Duffy, come over here with your com.
amy. Come on, you sandhillers. I'll lead
'ou."
He spurred his horse into the swale. The
teed sank above his fetlocks, but was
lrged on.
''It's my turn now; I'll take the
said 81.
"I!l take his horse" answered his part.
Ter. $50 Wen make sure Of him."
81 waited until the Colonel had labored