Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-01-10
D'ri and /
BY IRVING BAcHELLER

BY IRVING BAcHELLER
j" Darrell Of the Blessed Isles" Etc.


l did SO, moving forward passively as
u drew me on. To my establishment
I was unable to hear my own football
or that of my conductor. thought
we were walking upon soft earth.
Crossing our path in front of me
could see, in the darkness, a cleaning
line. We moved slowly, standing still
as our toes covered it. Then suddenly
light flashed from before end below
us. A cold sweat came out upon me;
I staggered back to strong hands that
were laid upon my shoulders, forcing
me to the line again. BY that flash of
light could see that was standing on
the very brink of some black abyss
indeed, my toes had crossed the edge
OF it. The light came again, flicker.
ing and then settling into steady
glow. The opening seemed to have
grassy bottom some 10 feet below. In
front of me the soil bristled, on that
lower level, with some black and
pointed plant: there were at least a
score of them. AS looked saw they
were not plants, but square of bay
onets thrust. points up, In the ground.
A curse came out Of my hot mouth,
and then dozen voices Knocked 1t,
going fainter, like dying echo. A
tall figure in winding-sheet, It's face
covered, was leaning over me.
ITO hesitate is to die" it whispered.
Courage may save you"
Then a skeleton hand came out of
the winding-sheet. pointing down at
the square of bristling bayonets. The
figure put its mouth to my ear.
Jump" it whispered, and the bare
bones of the dead fingers stirred i'm
patiently.
Some seconds of brief silence fol-
lowed. could hear them slowly drip
ping out of eternity in the tick of a
watch near me. felt the stare of
many eyes invisible to me. A broad
beam of bright light shot through the
gloom, resting full upon my face. I
started back upon the strong hands
behind me, Then felt my muscles
tighten as began to measure the fall
and to wonder ii could clear the
bayonets. had no doubt was to
die shortly, and 1t mattered not to
me how, bound as was, SO that it
came soon. For breath of silence my
soul went up to the feet OF God for
help and hope. Then l bent my knees
and leaped. saw much as my body
went rushing through the air an
empty grave, its heap Of earth be-
side it, an island of light, walled
with candles, in a sea OF gloom.
faces showing dimly in the edge
of the darkness. Thank God!
I shall clear the bayonets." l
thought, and struck heavily on soft
mat, covered over with green turf, q
little beyond that bristling bed. l
staggered backward, falling upon it.
To my surprise, it bent beneath me-
They were no bayonets, but only shells
of painted paper. got to my feet
none the worse for jumping. and az
stood on lot Of broken turf with
which a wide floor had been overlaid
Boards and timbers were cut away, and
the grave dug beneath them. ] saw
one face among others in the gloom
beyond the candle rows-that of his
lordship. He was coming up little
flight of stairs to where I stood. He
moved the candles. making a small
passage. and came up to me.
/ You're brave man." said he, IL
that low, careless tone of his.
4 And you coward" was my an
swer, for the sight of him had made
me burn with anger.
Don't commit yourself on a poin
like that" said he, quickly. "for, 70,
know, we are not well acquainted.
like your pluck, and offer you wha
Is given to few here-an explanation"
He paused. lighting cigarette.
stood looking at him. The cold pc
likeness of manner with which he hat
taken my taunt, his perfect self-mas
terry. filled me with wonder. He wal
no callow youth, that man, whoever
he might be. He was boring at tn,
0oor with the end of timber can,
AS he continued to address me.
Nov, look here" he went on, will
little gesture Of his left hand, be
tween the fingers Of which a cigarett,
was burning. you are now in tn,
;emple Of patriotic society acting will
no letters patent, but in the good caus'
Of his Most Excellent Majesty Kins
George ILL.,, to whom be health an,
happiness"
AS he spoke the name he raised hi
hat, and cheer came from all side
Of us,
ut Is gathered this night" he con
tinued, ito avenge the death of Lor
Ronley, friend of his Majesty, and O
many here present and an honore
member Of this order. For his dealt
you, and you alone, are responsible
and. we suspect, under circumstance
Of no credit to your sword. Many @
our people have been cut off fror
their comrades and slain by cowardl
stealth, have been led into ambush an
cruelty cut to pieces by overwhelmin
number, have been shut in prison an
done to death by starvation or b
stabs Of knife there in your country
: Not content with the weapons of
soldier you have even resorted to tn
barbarity Of the poison-wasp. Pal
don me, but you Yankees do not seer
to have any mercy or fairness for
foe. We shall give you better treat
ment. You shall not be killed like
rat in trap. You shall have chanc
for your life. Had you halted, ha
you been coward, you would not hav
been worthy to fight In this arena
You would not have come where 70
are standing. and possibly even no,