Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-06-08
The man brought before him looked

The man brought before him looked
with start, then smiled with n CLEAN
of mockery OH his ruddy lips. Ar
mand's face was immovable.
''Still the same, colonel" the new
conner Haunted. with Il glance at the
others uniform "Still Captain Jarrat.
My Philadelphia wound, rs you see,
proved not SO bad. l am on my way
now out of the precious rat trap yon-
der. have small liking for these pc
culiar delays. Suppose you scribble
me pass through the lines"
Sergeant" said Armand, take this
man to the trench and give him ten
minutes to go back to his own re-
doubts"
A swarthy red came to Jarrat's face.
II would speak with you alone a mo-
ment. have communication to
makc.'
At Armand's nod the others fell back
'What is your communication? he
asked stcrnly.
you have covered your past very
well, but know you. Do you remem-
Der that day at the congress? Well, 1
am not dumb. Now, will you let me
go?"
For answer Armand recalled his SER
geant. Give this man ten lashes," he
commanded, "before you start him
from the trench"
Jarrat lcaped back, snarling like a
fox at bay. You would dareY
aye" said Armand slowly. "One
for each stroke you gave the bondwom-
I'M at GLADDEN. Hail."
The prisoner multiplied imprecations
us they prepared his punishment, but
took the blows in stony silence. Then
he walked to the trench, tied a ker-
chief about his arm and, shaking his
fist with last livid curse at his cap
tor, fled toward the Notifications.
That evening General Moses Hazen
sat in his tent, the headquarters near
est the firing line on the right rear of
the investing trenches, reading close
ly written note. The handwriting,
though unfamiliar to him, was that
of Captain Jarrat. AS he read and
reread it, lines of perpleXity came into
his strong Canadian face.
GLOW was this brought?" he asked
his orderly.
with dispatch flag from the east
ern redoubt. SIR" was the answer.
he was still perusing it when the or
derby entered the tent to announce Colo.
| mel Armand. The general swore softly,
crumpled the letter In his hand, hesitat-
ed, then nodded assent. His eyes were
sharp gray, inset, and they fixed them
selves intently on the officer as he en-
tered.
II am informed, General Hazen,'
said Armand, saluting, "that you have
in charge the makeup of a column
which will storm the cnemy's tenth re.
doubt tonight"
Eyes"
II wish to volunteer"
The generals keen eyes looked into
Armand's steady ones. Then he rum.
pied his wig in thought.
II accept your services" he said al
length. Colonel Alexander Hamilton
will be in command. You will report
to him at the right of the first parallel
at dusk"
AS the other passed out the genera
smoothed open the letter again. "And
yet" he said slowly to himself, "Bene
dict Arnold was also a brave man."
| At dusk in the muck-black trenches
lay 400 men, compact, wide eyed, wait
Ing the, signal for storming. The eartl
silence was profound, and through i
their breathing swelled like ghostl.
tide. The hanging sky formed a whit
ish arch under which all movement.
seemed at distance vague and form
less. A scattering rain was dropping
and fitful jags of lightning knitted tn,
low clouds. From the rear an occa
sional mortar was grooming, and from
time to time fiery rocket trail passed
with raucous shrieking overhead,
shot from the British batteries.
Nearest the open lay little group o
twenty. 1t was the forlorn hope, vol
unteers all, who were to lead the col
umn. One Of these was Colonel Ar
mand.
AT the signal the twenty rose rs on
man and hurled forward on n run. 4
hundred PAGES and a challenge ran,
out; then the parapets opened in squirt
ing gusts of death.
The handful stayed for no sappers
but scaled the abatis. leaped the ditcl
and rushed upon the works with thei
spontoons. Above them, us they climb
ed, were hammering oaths, stabbin;
steel and leaning, thrusting forms.
The first point blank discharge hat
gone to waste, and Armand, draggln!
a grenadier headlong down by til
shoulders, leaped the wall and cleare,
, u space between two guns with hi
saber, space filled q moment after b,
the thrush Of the supporting battalion
The fight became pandemonium O
cries, grapples and yellow flashes. TIL
bleeding shadows swellcd instantly full
, OF vast, red smoke, of yells, of curses
Of men trampled, struggling, gruntng
underfoot.
Armand, lunging. turned suddenl
, upon snaky form creeping in til
shadow Of the gun. When seen, til
man pressed back into the human
surge, Armand trailing him panther
. like. To the latter's saber he Opposes
a sword and used it well, but gave wa,
. steadily before the fury of Armand
! attack, retreating across the space be
, tween the rear Of the redoubt and til
|, river bank, scarce ten yards in width
4 an acre now melee Of hand to han
9 encounters with sword, dubbed mus
! kct and bayonct.
! Surrender" cried Armand.
/. For answer the other avoided thrus
J. and twisted to one side, and Armand
with the rush, feeling loose groun
e crumble under his feet, realized sud
denly that he was on the very marg
n 80 1T