Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1905-10-19

nal xlS SOC.Es (QAuk W, BOE"Is y WeV
dhrap av whisky and q sandwich, Nv ~
place! An Guild sojer do be likin' to ate
on the roon!"
turned. Hurry, colonel, for :.he
love av Christi" groaned the brave lei.
low. His eyes wandered furtively over
the prairie; his hands worked at the har-
ness with frenzied haste and his face
was white as death-but his stitf lips
struggled bravely with Saint Patrick's
Day in the Morning!"
I fastened back and informed the par
ty that Hogan had found it necessary to
return at once to the fort. The news,
however, failed to meet q favorable re-
ception. The ladies went reluctantly
about their packing and Lieut.. Gilmore
grumbled audibly about high-minded
privates. I glanced out upon the prairie.
A little cloud of dust decided me.
do not be startled" pleaded, ''but
the seconds are as precious as the drops
of our life blood! Leave everything
and set in the wagon for your lives!
Elmore," I said, hurriedly, you and
will take our. positions in the back Of
the wagon with the women and child
in the bottom protected by the blankets.
We have each a revolver and have my
shotgun. Oh, God, for our rifles!"
Elmore saluted, pale but steady as
rock. Denny swung up with the wagon.
Before it stopped we had flung the ladies
in, bidding them lie fiat upon the bottom
of the box and hold the child low. go,
Denny!" shouted.
"Yis, sor-r!"
He leaned forward and dashed the
horses into run. Gilmore and I swung
ON behind and the wagon headed away
for the fort-which now looked farther
away than ever.
For half a mile we kept the clump of
cottonwoods between US and the dust
cloud. Then we were obliged to swerve
in order to avoid buffalo wa1low. A
savage yell foated family to our ears.
The race with death was onl
Hogan dashed and cursed the flying
horses. How far behind, colonel?" he
bawled.
Half mile, Denny! How lar to
the ford?" -
IVAN mile, SORT"
A puff of smoke burst from the DUST
cloud and bullet sped angrily over our
heads, knocking up the grass 100
yards head. The heavy wagon lurched
and bounded and the labored breathing
of the horses rose above the noise of the
pounding wheels.
Half mile to the ford, sor-r!" He
glanced over his shoulder. "Pray!" he
shouted, ''pray to the Vargin! Well
need her help this ride!"
''Whip!" I yelled. Lay on the whip,
Denny!"
''Yis, SORT" The whip whistled
shrilly. Their backs do be q mass av
blood already, sor-r!"
A volley came knocking among us.
Gilmore and fired our pistols without
effect.
Courage" screamed the brave Irish-
man. Courage! Here's the ford and
the cavalry comm beyant! I hear the
bugle and bless God tits singin' the
'Char-rge!' Whooroo! Kape 'em of
but minute longer-only a minute
longer Fly, ye divils, fly! Don't ye
hear the bugle? Fly!-A hundred
yar-rds-Shoot close, colonel, I can hear
the breathin' av their ponies-''-He
half rose and bent forward over the
horses; but even as the lash fell another
volley came and he rolled from his seat
to the torn ground while the maddened
team dashed on into the ford. One feet
ing last glimpse had of Private Denny
Hogan as he dragged himself to his
knees and drew his revolver. Twice he
fred and two horses flew riderless out
Of the dust-cloud. Then he fell forward
upon his face and the savage wave rolled
over him and into the river, whence
presently a broken fragment of it fed
away over the prairie with the Nemesis
Of cracking rifles upon its track.
And the cornfields now wave where
Denny Hogan fell. He was one who
helped make them possible.
Leader.