The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-10-05

Of his sword delivered with a quick
movement Of his powerful arm. Mer-
Ger profited by the moments respite to
leap to his feet.
Thank you, my lad!' he said.
do you get to the rear and rally the
men. generalv' cried Talbot, firing
pistol at short range into the midst Of
the croWding enemy. "I'll hold these
men in play" But the fighting blood
Of the old Scotchman was up, and for
answer he struck boldly at the man
opposite him.
Surrender, you cursed rebels!" cried
an officer near them.
"Neverv' replied Mercer, cutting
down the man with whom he was en-
gagged, while Talbot did the like to the
one next him. With roar Of rage the
British sprang on the two men. In
trice one Of the bayonets got past
MERGERS guard and grazed his arm;
another buried itself in his bosom:
third struck him in the breast. The
old man struck out weakly, dropped
his sword and fell, pierced by dozen
wounds, but still breathing. Talbot,
who was as yet unframed, though COW
cred with blood and dust, his hat gone,
stepped across his body.
He might have retreated, being
young and active, but that was not
the custom of his family; neither
would he abandon the body Of his
brave commander. Besides, every mo-
ment of delay was precious. Surely
they would be REINFORCED and rallied.
He knew the promptness Of Washing
ton too we'll to doubt it for moment,
and, last of all, what was life without
Kate? One glance he cast to the bright
sky, flushed with the first rays Of the
rising sun, and then he stood on guard.
The young mans eyes were burning
with the intoxication Of the fight and
his soul filed with great resolve, but
his sword play was as cool and as
rapid as it had been in the Sale DIES
Armes at Paris, where few could be
found to master him. The little group
Of British paused moment in admira-
ton, Of his courage.
Zone at time, gentlemen he cried,
smiling, and warding off vicious
bayonet thrust. "Is there none here
who will cross swords with me for the
honor of his flag"
The young lieutenant in command Of
that part of the line promptly sprang
forward and engaged. The two blades
rang fiercely together and grated along
each other moment later. The men
stepped back. But the brave lieutenant
had met his match and, with set lips
and iron arm, Talbot drove home his
blade in the others heart. Ere he
could recover himself or withdraw his
sword he was beaten to his knees by
blow from gun barrel. The blood
ran down over his face.
Surrender! Surrender" they cried
to him, "and we will spare your lifer'
For answer his hand sought his re-
naming pistol The first one of his
opponents fell dead with a bullet
through his heart, and the next mo-
ment the deadly steel of bayonet was
buried in Talbot's throat.
"Kate-Kate!' he cried in agony, the
blood bubbling from his lips, and then
another bayonet found his gallant
heart, and he sank down on his face
at the foot Of the dying officer, his
lips kissing the soil of that country in
defense of whose liberties he had
fallen.
AS was customary with his family.
he had died on the field, grimly facing
fearful odds to the last. The last of
his line, he had made good ending,
not unworthy his distinguished ances-
try; for none of the proud and gallant
race had ever died in the service of
better cause, be it that Of king or par
lament, than this young soldier who
had just laid down his life for love Of
his country!
The slight check afforded by the in
terposition of the Americans was over
The British were sweeping everything
before them. when Colonel MANHOOD,
the cool headed officer, who had been
sitting on a little brown pony, with a
small switch in his hand, directing the
combat, became aware Of large body
of men coming up on his right flank
ILL OuSA tAc NOOu. WIN Iuc ISaulueSS
Of a practiced soldier, he instantly
stopped the advance of his men, wheel
ed them about, brought up his guns
and prepared to open fire. The Amer
lean officers had time to mark with
admiration the skill with which the
maneuver was effected and the beau
tiful precision with which the men car
SoI
a large body of Pennsylvania militia
which Washington had dispatched at
the first sound of firing in the direction
of Mercer, broke out Of the wood and
advanced rapidly. The muskets Of the
redcoats We're quickly brought to the
shoulder and at the word of command
the British line was suddenly tipped
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