Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-07

the 'front.' cussing luck and everyone of ready
to bolt at the first chance. stood it till heard
the guns roaring like sin, not five miles off. Say
did you hear that sound? Did you hear
gun you knew fired at real men and sending
them to Kingdom Come? l heard it once, and that
enough. We was laying fiat along the floor.
side by side as though we was dead already and
next German looking guy, what had been
started. When he heard the firing he went clean
off his nut; he'd have blown his brains out rather
than take the chance of letting somebody else do it
for him. he'd have fought the Union army single
handed sooner than listen to them shots another
minute. Well, to make long story short, him and
fixed up scheme
The speaker caught his breath to listen, for the
forest seemed suddenly alive with sound and
ton. A cloud swept down the valley of the North
Fork, so low that shreds of scud caught in the
topmost branches. Hail battered on the wire grass
The tent curtains tapped noisy, and in the shadow
the aspen leaves flashed white though mailed
army sprang from ambush.
Go on!" the professor urged, and the cook held
up brawny fist and shook it at the universe de-
family.
iii tell it now he cried, and all the winds that
ever blew sha'n't shout me down! Here's how it
was" He faltered and the professor prompted him.
There's where you lay he said, making gesture
to indicate the ranks of trembling men,.
There's where we lay" Budd echoed duly.
and there was the door," said the professor
softly. He pointed to tree at the canon's brink
Yes, yes!' cried Budd, there the door The
platform was outside and there were two on guard
tackle the one farthest off The Dutchman was to
grab the other from behind Mine was a stout
young feller.
a stout young fellow, repeated the professor
YES" and the cook stood motonless as though
some vision rose before him. Il him now,
with straight back and crisp curly brown hair
percy, they called him." said Budd.
Percy" echoed the professor. You are sure
Sure as you're sitting there!" cried Budd.
60 Keep your eyes open, Percy, they're bad lot
That's what the corporal told him when he went
on guard. Lord! but it pity'' He chuckled
namely, swaying on his feet.
What them inquired the from Char
bridge, rising slowly.
might have covered when those long silent guns
We're booming had the tall young fellow turned.
help me God | didn't do it"
You lie!'' retorted the small man quietly.
Budd laughed foolish laugh There's where
we lay he babbled, Just where your foot is me
and the Dutchman and the balance of us, and here
was the door"
He urched toward the aspen tree and laid hand
followed and stood close behind.
What do you want?' cried Budd, wheeling in
sudden panic.
ITO learn the manner of my brothers death"
the other answered between lips that scarcely moved
The voice of the pines was like the rumble of
railway train; the winds doomed down from timber
the aspens' leaves like bullets, and over all the
laugh of Budd rang in maniaca mrth.
The professor held his eye steadily; then abruptly
Turn out the guard' he shouted.
Choke him, you big Dutch fool! Budd called
back in response with his bare arms he grappled
with an invisible adversary.
He of the straight back and curly hair had been
a strong young fellow, but, taken unawares the
contest was bound to go against him. Once, it
seemed, he had brought Budd to his knees; once
he had nearly hurled him from the rocking car;
but his knapsack must have hampered him, and his
musket and heavy cartridge box. The bounty
jumper fought in silence and with desperate method,
gaining advantage every moment; while one hand
pnioned a phantom forearm, the other closed with