The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1905-08-24
THE PANIC.
BY Feodor vasilvitch PIacsin.

ground was trampled down by thou
sands of feet, and the only protection
and cover were the corr fields, whose
tall withered stalks concealed friend
and enemy alike.
A company of Russian Infantry came
rushing back, and threw themselves
down among the cornstalks, which
trembled in the air for a few seconds,
then all was quiet.
In disorder, without leaders, they had
Ned like a herd OF scared sheep, in
spired only by the instinct of self pres
eryation, the desire to live. And now
they were lying there in groups, silent
and downcast. hardly able to breathe,
listening n trembling at every sound,
insane from fright. panic stricken.
From the direction from which they
had come, and, as 1t seemed. directly
from the yellowish green wall of corn
stalks which stood between them and
h enemy, came the sound Of rife
shots, with q noise as of pea thrown
by the handful or q drum. Some
times stronger, sometimes weaker,
sometimes in volleys came the sound.
accompanied on and off by the roar OF
the field artillery.
Hardly had they thrown themselves
down when the bullets began to strike
the ground all around them, but they
remained motionleSS, every mar clutch
Ing his rife In his hands, careful not
to look at his neighbor, every man
ashamed of his w cowardice. Thus
passed a whole minute-an eternity OF
death and destruction it seemed.
A man In the uniform of q captain
camo running toward the cornfleld
which had swallowed UP the company.
He had lost his sword and his uni
form was torn and dusty. He was fur
ious, his face distorted with rage. He
had been in command Of these people,
lIpn1 with, fbnp, lN,,aI fhN,, ,a ,1,NI Z
dren. He knew everyone OF them, his
life, his character, he had led them into
death, the death which threatened
them from behind those hastily o n
structed trenches which were visible in
the horizon. and they had betrayed his
faith in them In this moment.
HE rushed into the corn field breath
less, unable to raise his voice to call
Them back, broken down with despair.
They We're all there-he knew 1t. he
felt 1t, only a few steps from him,
stricken with fear of death, and he did
not have the strength to call them back
to inspire them with new courage.
The old SCARED veteran officer, stern
and grim though he looked, suddenly
began to sob, and sank exhausted to
the ground, never once thinking of the
bullets which struck everywhere around
him, almost wishing that one OF them
would kill him.
Mnat was his life worth after this dis
grace? Where were they. the miserable
towards?
The corn stalks parted slowly, and
among them appeared the grimy face
OF the old sergeant.
Quick as ligntningthe captain jumped
to ms feet.
Thou also-thou also Stephen An
~tanovitch." he shouted and rushed
toward the old sergeant, who stood
ii, a,,o ~, "a , ,,l I a,,l -, -. #. r-, = - -.
the eye of his superior officer.
On, captain, captain" he %groaned.
II do not understand o 1t hap
pened.''
Thou dost not know"
The sergeant stood at attention, his
hand raised IN respectful salute.
The list OF the OFFICER struck the pale
face OIL the old sergeant, but he never
stirred, though the tears ran down his
cneeAs. lie was broken hearted at the
thought OF his disgrace.
Bullets whistled through the air all
around them; it was like a hailstorm,
but they stood there, needless OF the
LANCER OF the death which filed the
Wnoie atmosphere.
w might cali the roll, captain
call the roll of towards, contempt
ible scounurels! What good would mat
10
Call them by name, captain. They
will respond"
And With a voice as IL he had been
.stanaing on the parade ground the cap
Lain began calling the names Of his
llen.
bead! wounded! Missing" replied
The sergeant.
But one alta time the men came for
ward and took their accustomed places
All the ranks, Saluting their captain
with downeast eyes,, crushed by the
1eeiing Of their shame.
time ana again, a peculiar sound was
heard n a man Tell to the ground
dead or wounded, grooming with pam,
but no n noticed or cared. The ranks
tcioseu, the holes filled.
Ana he stood before them. as IL he
tleSSr noticed the wounded, stern and
iorbidding. He was no longer their
beloved captain but q merciless Judge.
What have you done?"
Tne pale faces turned still paler, but
no answer came, the grooming OF the
wounded was the only sound which
broAe the awful silence.
hat have you done? You have
forgotten your oath, disgraced your
uniform. You towards. you miserable,
contemplate cowardsl"
Bullets sang ana whistled around
them U this handful of men stood.
there Iaotioniess, at attention..
We have forgotten the car, for
gotten our. oaths!'-it came with a
moan from the ranks. We are guilty;
hou U pronounce our sentence,
captatn!n
The captain heard 1t and his heart
filed With joy. He did not, notice the
thou His eyes shone. his chest la
bored heavily.
''Childten,, he said, also I am guilty
that 4 let this happen. Let us march
into deathm.'
He pat on his old dusty cap, pierced
by bullets, made the sign Of the cross
and said.
Forgive your old captain, brethren!"
Forgive us, captain!p
1.-THE Little Father forgive us ALL"
sisorward march," came the com
nsssid. The Russian column had been
bsass.a and wer in full retreat before
tso enemy, who came rushing on.
I.len4 out OF a cornfield came a hand
full OF soldiers. Silently they marched
on In close formation, keeping perfect
time asst on parade. though their faces
were stern and set. An old captain In
a uniform torn with bullets marched in
front and not a man fell back, even the
wounded rising again when they had
fallen: The trurnpets sounded the re-
treat but the company did o hear.
They had sentenced themselves to