Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-08-21
The Storu Teller.
FOUR-POINT-SEVEN.
By WALTER WOOD.

BY WALTER WOOD.
COPYRIGHT, 1903, by T. C. Mcclure.
Four Point-Seven was attached to an
expedition operating against strong.
ly intrenched body of Boxers. An ad'
miral commanded, and it was his pur'
pose to reach and destroy the enemy
before they could muster In greater
force.
-Four -Point-Seven," said Jock to a
comrade at the end of the first march,
"is useful creature, but big, un-
willin' lump. What I want to know
is why Four -Point-Seven? Why not
maxims or pompoms or mountain
guns-somethin' you can bring with
you if you want 'em; eh, Harry"
Bring 'em away from heather
Chineew exclaimed the comrade.
Never! There's no turnin' back on
this Journey"
"I've been in China BEFORE" said
Jock, "an' 1 know the breed. We've
only a handful after all, an If we're
overpowered'-
For five days the expedition forced
its way into the land Of the enemy,
sometimes meeting and beating him
and sometimes advancing unopposed.
The commanding officer then began to
see that success was not to follow him
and gave the word for a return to the
place from which they had started. BY
this time a number of the officers and
men had been killed, disease was break
ing out, and the number of the sick and
wounded grew.
Not 6 shot had been fired by Four
Point-Seven, and her weakened crew
dragged disappointedly at the heavy
bulk. The retreat was kept up for two
full days; then it was known that n
horde of imperial troops was following
to cut off stragglers. It's more case
of cut up than cut off If they get us"
said Jock, by way Of grim jest. "Will
the admiral never tell US to heave her
into the nearest hole"
But thAe was no need for command
like that. One of the wheels Of the car
riage sank deep into bed Of mud. and
the most furious efforts Of the crew
could not get it out.
Lieutenant Reeder was among the
wounded. He had been shot through
both ankles and could not walk. Jock
and Harry were among the sick and
could scarcely crawl. They watched
with languid interest while the ad-
mirars order that the gun should be
destroyed and the ammunition buried
was given. At the same time the sick
and wounded were placed on the
ground near Four-P r-Point-Seven.
Reeder watched earnestly. He un-
derstood before the admiral came up to
him to explain.
1--WE got to leave you," said the
admiral. "God knows how / feel
about 1t. but it's the only way"
81 understand that, sir" said Reeder.
81 know it will take you all your time
to get away with those who are sound,
let alone the cripples and the sick.
But leave US the gun, sir, and SHE'LL"
"Be it so," said the admiral. land
goodby."
"Goodby, SIR" answered Reeder.
He raised himself little as he spoke,
but, exhausted with the effort, he sank
back.
1t seemed long before the lieutenant
heard sound Of any sort. Then he
raised his head and looked sharply
across the country before him, for he
heard the sound Of distant marching.
But nothing met his gaze. His head
sank back.
Jock and Harry heard the noise also.
"Is it to be case Of tryin' to run
for it after ALL" asked Harry, cor
squattin' ERE till they come on?
wait for 'em," said Jock grimly.
"But we shan't wait long. It'll soon
be over when they see US, an they
can't miss. They're walkin' straight
on top Of u.s."
T've told you, men," said Reeder
sternly, whose sharp ears had caught
the sounds, that I won't have you
either talking or moving. Put your
rifles down and shut your mouths. II
this move fails then blaze away as
hard as you please, only, In mercy's
sake, give me a shot first and keep a
couple for yourselves. That III be bet
ter shift than ever you'll get from
devils like these"
They raised their heads little, but
even yet did not see what the lieu
tenants purpose was.
"Jock," said Reeder, after pause.
"Sir," answered the seaman.
"Can you climb on to your pins for
two minutes? Helps coming. I'm
sure of that The admiral was pretty
certain or he wouldn't have gone and
left us here. Can you lend a hand?
You're about the only one left among
us that can stand"
Jock forced himself into sitting
position. Without saying word he
struggled to his feet, stood on them
for q full second and sank to the
ground. He gave short, hard laugh.
you've seen that exhibition, Sir.
What do you think?"
"Why," answered Reeder stoutly, 81
think you can, my lad. Jock, you've
got to-"
"Put it as an order, sir" said Jock,
with a strange light in his eyes. "Can