The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-04-10
THE STRAWS OF DEATH

possess sense of humor superior to tn
most trying conditions. Somewhere il
the darkness in front the F'ilipinos wer
taking pot shots between their cigar
cites, as an occasional ecu, attested.
There go the down typewriters," crieC
young private. Firing at fire-fies, a.
usual. No sleep tonight"
''Typewriters'' was contemptuous ap
pellation given to the Fourteenth regu
lars. because the popping of their maya
zine guns in the distance slightly resem
bled the noise of the machine of peace
Put your mouth ON the safety notch,
ordered the captain from the right of the
company. They're sending out the out
posts. Get their bearings, so you car
! shoot around the milf the ball opens up.
Two men were receiving final instruc-
| tons from the colonel, previous to VEN
| turing into the hostile country in front,
/ Sneak out about two hundred yards,
ordered the officer, land lie down. If you
see and signs of an attack try to get back
and warn us. If you can't get back, you
must warn us somehow, and take your
| chances. No need to tell you to be care
| full You hold the lives of many men in
your ndnlS- 1Oo0 luck, DOyS-
| This sort of work is called Cossack out
post duty, and men detailed upon it
should not be men of family or nerves.
a few nights previous two nervous men
were detailed upon it. One of them fred
at a white pariah dog. The shot caused
the Filfpinos to concentrate a series of
yolleys lasting thirty minutes, in1he di-
rection Of the outposts. The Americans
awakened from a sound sleep and let go
several unauthorized volleys. Consequent
", the two nervous men, being between
two fires, were riddIed with two kinds of
ammunition.
The two men detailed for this even
ing's work were of different metal Nor
ituri te salutamus, colonel said one,
with a reckless laugh. With the easy
nonchalance of veterans they gave the
rifle salute. and sliding over the top of
the trench, disappeared into the night
There go two good men, observed the
colonel.
The two men tiptoed across the dry rice
paddles, each holding his rife at the
ready. There was no sound except the
occasional hiss of a random bullet, or the
faint and distant pop OF a rife.
Guess this is far enough" said one of
the men at length; here is a little hol-
low. Why, it is almost as safe as the
trench The other acquiesced with a
faint murmur. and they sprawled upon
the ground facing the enenly's territory.
Its a queer freak of fate that we two
should be detached on this together OBJ
served the shorter of the two, latter
avoiding each other so successfully
Its damned queer, Osbourne. returned
the other. but Wen have to stand it."
1T is not that would want a better
man for tight place, Wade" said Os-
bourne, but there is that one thing
Yes. 1 know" YEARLY; that's the
trouble. If you were not as good or a
better man that I, there would be no
danger of Helen Bartlett caring for you
I'VE were good friends in the old days.
Billy" said Osboune, rather huskily; 'if
one of us only loved her little less
mo go, Tom" replied the other. 1T Is
either her or he'll for me. Our friendship
was a holy thing, but she is above that
Would you
mo, you are right. It's no thorough |
fare. My God. 1 wish it were ended, |
one way or the other
What ca nwe dor queried Wade. with |
studied composure. I'VE can't gouge each |
,ther with bayonets out here. and Spring /
fields at two yards IS a bit too unique"
Asbourne laughed harshly. I'VE might |
iraw straws, the loser speedily TO meet |
an accidental DEATH
mo, thanks, replied Wade II am |
willing to take my bullet if it comes, but |
not that way. One of us might get it /
iecently at any time
You're right, Wade" said Osbourne. /
You're a good fellow
Same to you" returned to Wade.
Let's quit chattering and attend TO our
work.
For some time they lay silent. staring
nto the darkness for things they could
lot see, even had they been there Only
he intermittent popping of musketry and
he occasional zeul of Mauser's bullet
'roke the silence. Now and then they
ould see through the blackness faint,
red flare.
''Confound them observed Osbourne.
the Filipinos can smoke. anyhow. I'm
wing for cigarette
IF YOU light a match here" said Wade.
wen be targets for about four thousand
ifesH
That's true enough" agreed Osbourne.
With soft chuckle: cigarettes are rath-
r expensive out here Another period
{ silence followed
Wade inquired Osbourne. suddenly.
are YOU willing to try a wild scheme for
ettling this matter forever"
Anything fair and reasonable" re-
lied the other What's your plan?''
Draw strsws." said Osbourne. briefly:
the mon who gets who gets the short
ne to stand M and light match. and--go
, his fathers"
Wade caught his breath and remained
lute for some time, considering. Not
, bad" he observed after time. But
e are on duty now"
oh the devil" said Osbourne. lightly;
the Filirinos wouldn't attack for al 1.-THE
ot OF Manila An outpost here is mere
4 matter Of form. Besides, one of us
i'll be left"
That's So" said Wade. and I see no
1iection''
You fix the straws. then" said Os-
1urne quickly. III draw" He began
whistle softly in 4 nervous fashion. as
en- do when they are ~elose 10 death
-ade fumbled silently with some frag-
ents Of rice straw. His movements were
ow and mechanical Some men are
instituted that way. Here. Tom he