The daily Alaskan., 1905-04-07
Fighting Death With
 Blank Cartridges
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 termost limits cf SDldrery had been reached. And well might the men ehecr-no more toiling through muO and rain or dust and heat; no more risk of life or limb through shot and she'll or, what was at times far more to be dreaded, disease, Fathers, moth ers wives and swccthcaCts were walt ing them at home.
 A soldier In hospital in attendance upon his brother heard the rejoicing without Henry and Walter Burt hal left home together in the same com pany, had fought side by side, had or ion spoken or the chances Of ther 90 inS back tcScther, and now that the day of return had come an accident prcm,s,Ni Co carry or Walter, Being m he had been taken to the hoSplal and there during the last battle, in the hurry attending the bringing In and care of so many wounded had been given an overdose of morphine by mis' take He was lying In stUpor from which anddotcs were powcrieSS to D,use him. The surgeon had given one after another without effect and was now conjuring up some new method Henry leaned over his brother and, moro to relieve his own feelings than fin the hope that Walter would hear him. beSgeh him to make an effort to rouse himself,
 "Walter." he cried mother is wait ing for us! Father is coming down the walk to meet us, And there are Mary and Lou, and little Tom Is upon the fence waving a flag, HcDZie- your Hcpzic-Is coming from the house, blushiuc and crying for joy at seeing vOu safe back from tlC war, She throws her arms about yoUr ucvk. | can't hear what s,c Is whispering to yoa for the drums, the shouting and She ringing Of thc hc,.s,'
 Walter opened his eyes, star'd ot his brother StUpidly aud closed tigW aEain
 'Thcrc's >ome,}u- iD your way ot working iL" sad ,.c surgeon. keep un ycur efforts. Punch U,m, roll hiU and when you SrC a rit ot lntcN.ucacc ur-c him to rouse himself for tho sake of going home. I'U r, back presently. [ am going to try ana CNTor.wvut'
 The SurCrOn went out, thrvw himself on bis horse. r,,lc away Co tho camp ot inc regiment to which tho brothers hc- ICurtSl and soon returned with the mon of their company ai that was left of it-somc twenty soldiers.
 Suddenly without there WIS a vol Icy. and the SurgcoN, rushing in, cried:
 "Thc enemy arc on uS'
 A drummer under the window began to beat the long rol.
 "Up, men, Every man 10 his arms, Stand together"
 Walter Burt sat uU on his bed His brother, seeing the advantage that had been gained. looked about for a wcap- on and, seeing a muSEct standing In a corner, placed 1t in his brothers hands, crying:
 "Come on. It's fight for our lives, They're front rear and on the flank"
 Walter stood on his feet
 Henry glanced ot the lock oC the musket and saw that there was no cap on It Walter seized the gun and stag Sered forward At the moment there were yclls without and a vollCy. The sick man leapNd through the window, which was but e few feet from the ground. and, seeking forms half hid den by smoke, cooked blS gun and pull cd the trigger.
 "Loadr' cried Henry, handing him a cartridge.
 There was a desperate sham battle in which Walter Burts comrade knew that they were fighting for his life They surrounded him and his two companions, fired blank cartridges in their faces, retreStcd, advanced again, firing, shouting, rolling drums, blowing bugles. The general sent an aid to learn the cause of the firing and was told that it was to save, not destroy, life. For hours one attack followed another. There was no further use for HOWOOT IO slsAA slAA NlleAlANH aAtA AN NNc not spared. Never had this little band of soldiers fought when their hearts were more fin their work; never had they shown themselves more worthy to be called heroes.
 At last that death they were fighting began to show signs of retreat. AS he drew away the motions of his intended victim grew more rapid, his eye clear CT. Then during a lull in the strife he paused. rested the butt of his musket on the ground and looked with dawn Ing intellicenCe on his comrades
 -whats the mattcr?" he exclaimed.
 "All right" said the surgeon, Boys. you may % back to camp. You've pulled him through"
 The regiment to which the brothers | belonged had been recruited from near their home and as it had marched | past their house going to the war it l marched past it on its return, only in | stead of returning a thousand strong it | numbered less than 800 The picture | Henry had conjurcd up to rouse his brother became a real scene, A white l haired woman stood in the doorway; 1 an old man came down to the gate, his | eyes enkindled, while bevy of girls l