The daily Alaskan., 1905-01-02
Fighting Death With
 Blank Cartridges
toriglnaLl

termost limits of soldlery had been reached. And well might the men cheer-no more toillng through mud and rain or dust and heat; no more risk of life or limb through shot and Shell, or, what was at times far more to be dreaded, disease. Fathers, moth ers wives and sweethearts were wait ing them at home.
 A soldier in hospital in attendance upon his brother heard the rejoicing without. Henry and Walter Burt had left home together in the same com pany, had fought side by side, had of ten spoken of the chances of their go- ing back together, and now that the day of return had come an accident promised to carry or Walter. Being m. he had been taken to the hospital 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 a stupOr from which antidotes were pOwerless to rouse him. The surgeon had given one after another without effect and was now conjuring up some new method. Henry leaned over his brother and, more to relieve his own feelings than in the hope that Walter would hear him, begged 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, Hepzie-your Hepzie-is coming from the house, blushing and crying for joy at seeing you safe back from the war! She throws her arms about your neck! l can't hear what she Is whispering to you for the drums, the shouting and the ringing of the bells.'
 Walter opened his eyes, stared at his brother stupidly and closed them again.
 There's something in your way of working it." said the surgeon. keep up your efforts. Punch him, roll him. and when you see a bit of intelligence urge him to rouse himself for the sake of going home. I'll be back presently. am going to try an experiment.
 The surgeon went out threw himself on his horse, rode away to the camp of the regiment to which the brothers be longed and soon returned with the men of their company-all that was lett or it-some twenty soldiers.
 Suddenly without there was a vol ley, and the surgeon, rushing in, cried:
 ''The enemy are on uS.'
 A drummer under the window began to beat the long roll.
 Up. men. Every man to L.s arms. Stand togetherr'
 Walter Burt sat up on his bed. His brother, seeing the advantage that had been gained, looked about for a weap- on and, seeing musket standing in a corner, placed 1t in his brothers hands, crying: ..a.
 -Come on! It's a fight for our lives! They're front. rear and on the tiank'
 Walter stood on his feet.
 Henry glanced at the lock of the musket and saw that there was no cap on 1t. Walter seized the gun and stag gered forward. At the moment there were yells without and vollcy. The sick man leaped through the window, which was but a few feet from the ground, and. seeking forms half hid den by smoke, cooked his gun and pull ed the trigger.
 "Loadr' cried Henry, handing him 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, retreated, advanced again. firing. shouting. rolling drums, blowing bugles. The general sent an aid to learn the cause of the firing and was told that 1t was to save, not destroy, life. For hours one attack followed another. There was no further use for powder to stay an enemy, and tt was not spared. Never had this little band of soldiers fought when their hearts were more in 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 Hull in the strife he paused, rested the butt of his musket on the ground and looked with dawn ing intelligence on his comrades.
 "Whats the matter?' he exclaimed.
 "All right" said the surgeon. Boys, you may go 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 marched past 1t on it's return, only in- stead of returning a thousand strong it numbered less than 300. The picture Henry had conjured up to rouse his brother became real scene. A white haired woman stood in the doorway; an old man came down to the gate. his eyes enkindled, while a beyy of girls filled the yard. Even little Tom was perched on one of the gatepOsts way fnV hIq da0 and shOuting "Hurrahr' at