Gloucester County Democrat., 1903-08-20
WOODBURY., N J, THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1908

stone for back an the soft earth for
a seat" commented Jock when they
had helped the lieutenant to sitting
posture IF you'd like an armchair l
can get you couple of stones to put
your elbows on"
No, thank you; l want my elbows
free" answered the lieutenant "Give
her bit of a list to port, II you can.
Just touch up with that handspike.
There; that's enough. Now she has an
uninterrupted view from her one eye of
the roadway. Now, If all's tight, make
yourselves scarce in the ditch here"
Jock and Harry, exhausted with
their labors, did as they were ordered.
The lieutenant crawled from his stone
support and stretched himself upon his
back near the gun, the lanyard of
which he held.
''If they do come past u.s." he MUIR
INJURED. Eve shall be ready to receive
'em. Now, old girl, If you never dis
tinguished yourself before, see that
you do it now. Let me see-that dis
NAL looking trees about 1000 yards
away. The shell will catch the head
of 'em and do mischief with the body
and tail unless I'm a Dutehman. Are
they really here? They are coming in
a bee line for u.s.
He raised himself on his elbow and
looked. The column came on. solid,
resistless, it seemed, straight for the
spot where Four Point-Seyen and the
NJ a IO,, :,
was like wall advancing. Banners
were waving, and the men were crying
excitedly.
Those who were first among them
kept stopping to examine the road. in
which the footmarks of the retreating
force were clearly seen. They came
on like huge pack of hounds keen
on the scent and having the quarry
almost visible.
The mass came nearer. Reeder saw
that the entire column was in the di-
rect line of fire of Four Point-Seven,
that shot or shell must bore lane
down the very middle OF the mass
and that bursting shell must deyas-
tate the forces. He fell fat on his
face and pulled the lanyard.
There were crash and hiss from
Four-P Point-Seven. At the same in
stant there were appalling cries and
another crash, the sound of the burst
ing shell.
Reeder, Jock and every sailor who
could move rose up to mark what
Four Point-Seven had DONE
"They run, they runp' cried Reeder
Its doubled 'em up! They didn't ex-
pect it, and they're demoralized."
"If we could only get another in"
said Harry longingly.
"But we can't" Jock answered
"Theres no more ammunition. Be
sides, look at the gun"
The lieutenant looked and saw that
Four Point-Seven had been driven by
the recoil deep into the earth.
mot all the men here, sir, could get
her out Of that" added Jock, "even
if they could stand on their legs. But
what is that?'
Reeder turned slowly and looked to
the rear. He saw men-men with white
hats and helmets hurrying over the
ground. They're our own people!'' he
exclaimed. ITS our own people re-
enforced and coming back for us. Hur-
rahi Hurrah! Hurrahw he cried wav-
ing his hand. The effort was too much
for him and he tainted.
When he came round he saw that a
marine artillery officer from his own
ship was bending over him, offering
him liquid from his water bottle.
"You numbering young man." said
the gunner in deep admiration. They'll
have to call you the 'plow' in future.
Why, you pretty well wiped regiment
out with that shot"
"Good old Four Point-Sevenw said
Reeder. IT always knew she'd do US
well. She'll be credit to us all for
long enough yet If we can only get her
out of the mud"
''You are wrong there" said the gun
ner. She'll talk no more She can't
possibly be got away from here, so as
soon as we're all clear of this spot she'll
be blown up. Here comes the stretcher
chaps for you-you have the honor to
De the last 10 go.
A couple of marines got the lieuten-
ant upon a stretcher and marched Off
with him. When they were some hun
dred yards away they halted. Reeder
turned and looked. Jock, from a neigh
boring stretcher looked too.
They saw a cloud of smoke in which
were dark fragments. Then they heard
the crash of an explosion. A very small
fragment of steel fell near the lieuten-
ants right hand. He picked it up. "A
bit of a gum he muttered. 'I'll keep
1t till the end of my days to remind me
OF what saved my life. Good old Four
Point-Sevenr'
Jock sighed regretfully. II always
said the gun was all right if you could
only get the other side to walk up an
give her chance. They did walk up,
SIR"