Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-02
CHAPTER XXI-Continued.

Down the road three field officers of Nc
Leans Ohio regiments had just ridden pack
to their men They had been in conference
with Won elisa but the moment before IN
graham's return. and now Col Kelley hao
signaled to the 18th, and In silence they
gathered 400 stalwart veterans about their
honored chief, and in silence listened to his
solemn words "a great battle" said he.
SIS imminent, and some of US will never
see the rising of another sun. II there Is
a man in the ranks not ready to die for his
country let him come to me and I will send
him to the rear for 1 want no half-hearted
soldier with me tonight" and then with
parting admonition bade them go back to
their lines lie down. rest on their arms
and be ready.
'Ingraham." said Winn. 'if you get back
to Washington and l do not. will you de-
liver thiS-for me?" and he held forth
letter The superscription was so large and
clear that Rex could read it before he took
it in his hi Ind Miss Alice Langdon
Brookside, Washington In his saddle
bags was a letter bearing precisely the
same address. fngraham turned hot. then
cold. He strove to speak. "I-meant to
ask you; l ought to-tel YOU" he began
when stilled by sudden stir and cry.
Look said Winn. Look, Another.
Then the Pennsylvanians were springing to
their feet. laughing nervously and shouting
Two--three rabbits. wild-eyed, terror
stricken. had burst from the thicket in their
front and darted. zigzaggng every which
way. and finally dove through the interval
between the rousing battalions, even as
others, equally mad with fright and bewil-
derment, came bounding from the wood. A
deer burst from the thicket In front of the
54th. Here. there and everywhere men were
Springing up and shouting.
They are coming now. by heaven"' cried
Winn-"and sweeping the woods before
themi" Then the horses started, snorting
nervousiy. Two shots rang out on the
pike toward Luckett's two more through
the woods in front: then half a dozen
sputtering. More rabbits came tearing into
view. and men-men in blue rushing in
along the pike, wiid-eyed and gasping in
inarticuate alarm. Then began a rattle
Of shots along the front to the north of the
pike. coming nearer and nearer. and then.
backing toward the peering. quivering bat
tie lines here and there and everywhere
through that westward timber. came little
squads and groups of steadier soldiery. fac
ing still a foe unseen by the main body
the faithful picketS. yainiy striving to stem
the steady onward march of a tramping
host. for now. through the desultory. scat
tering skirmish fire came a sound like the
low. sullen rumble and roar OF approaching
storm
Lead at willr' the order had passed
along the Union lines. All a sudden the
guns at the angle. crammed with canister.
were hurrtedly sighted along the pike
Don't fire." screamed major. You'll
butcher our own picketsr'
Ready" rang the word through the
westward ranks of Won elisa, while VIM
and Ingraham and their own officers were
striving to throw the right wing of the 41st
and front 1t to the sun. Nearly a thousand
cleaning barrels ducked as the hammers
flew back at the grip of the thumb. Nearly
thousand sun-burned. swarthy faces star
ed keenly into the cracking, crashing for
est in front. Look, Watch outi' and
still their officers cautioned and restrained
them. 1t was only a minute.
See therei See there! Battle fags,'