The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-07-05

had been supplemented when practi-
cable by bits of cloth tied about the
soles of the feet. The men themselves
were gaunt and haggard. Privation
exposure and hard fighting had left
q bitter mark upon them. Hunger
and cold and wounds had wrestle'
with them, and they bore the indelibl
imprint of the awful conflict upon
their faces. 1t was greatly to theil
credit that, like their leader, they haC
not yet despaired. A movement OF
some sort was evidently in prepare.
ton. Arms were being looked to care
fully: haversacks and pockets Were
being filled with the rude fare of
which they had been thankful to par
take as a Christmas dinner; ammun'
tion was being prepared for transpo~
tation. Those who had them were
wrapping the remains of tattere
blankets about them. under the strap
of their guns or other equipments. IN
the fortunate rossessors of the ragge
adjuncts to shoes were putting fnat
touches to them, with a futile hcpt
that they would last beyond the first
mile or two of the march; others were
saddling and rubbing down the horses
A welcome contribution had been
made to their fare in a huge steamin-
bowl of Lot punch. which had been
sent from the farmhouse and Of
which they had eagerly partaken.
whats up nov | wonder?' said
n ragged veteran to another.
Don't know-don't care-couldn't
anything be worse than this" was the
reply.
We've marched and fought and got
beaten, and marched and fought and
got beaten again, and retreated and
retreated until there is nothing left of
US. Look at u.s." he continued. half
naked. half starved. and we're the best
of the lot, the select force. the picked
men. the headquarters guard,7 he
went or in bitter sarcasm.
Yes. that's So" replied the other,
laughing: then sadly: Those poor
fellows by the river are worse off than
we are. though. What wouldn't they
give for some of that punch? My soul
wasn't it good!' he continued. smack
ing his lips in recollection.
".vhere are we going. s%ergeant?"
asked another.
Don't know; tie command is Three
days rations and light marching or
der"
"Well. were all OF the last. anyway.
Look at me! No stockings, leggings
torn. no shirt. and you'd scarcely call
this thing ON my back a coat. would
you? What could be lighter? So COM
Portable. too, in this pleasant summer
weather.
"Oh, shut up, old man! You're better
off than | am. anyway. You've got
rags to help your shoes out, and just
look at NINE said another, sticking
out n gaunt leg with a tatteyed shoe ON
the foot, every toe of which was plain
ly visible through the torn and worn
openings. And just look at this" he
went on, bringing his foot down hard
on the snow covered. frost bound soil.
making an imprint which was edged
with blood from his wounded. bruised,
unprotected feet. That's my sign
manual. and it's not hard to duplicate
In the army yonder either"
That's true. And to think that the
cause of liberty's got down so low that
we are its only dependence. And they
call us the grand army"
well. as you say went on another
~recklessly. 1--WE can't get into anything
worse, so hurrah for the next move.
say L."
Three days ra,ions and light march.
Ing order, meaning, | suppose, uDat we
a to leave u heavy o%vercoats and
blankets and foot stoves and such 9TH
err luxuries behind. That rather indi-
Gates that we are going to DO some
thing besides retreat. And | should
like to get IL whack at those mercenary
Dutchmen before l freeze or starve."
was the reply.
Bully for your
I'm with you, old man.
IL, too"
and l." came from the group of un-
daunted men surrounding the speaker.
And to think" said another, .of it's
being Christmas day and all those lit
tie children at home, Oh, WELL" turn
ing away and wiping his eyes, march
ing and lighting may make us forget.
boys! | wouldn't mind suffering for
liberty If we could only do something,
have something TO show for it but q
bloody trail and a story of defeat.
I'm tired of it," he continued des-
perately. I'D fight the whole British
army If they would only let me get a
chance at item"
Were all with you there, man. and
! guess this time we get u chance re-
piled one of the speakers amid a cho-
rus of approval which showed the spir-
1t of the men.
While the men were talking among
themselves thus the four riders on the
tired horses had ridden up to the farm
house. A soldier dressed no better
than the rest stood before the door.
Halt! Who are your" he cried.