Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-04-11
Of Honor
Goris!nal.l

} cannot near our guns TOT lndI inter-
: yening rise of ground yonder. The
J enemy are preparing TO attack us. Our
, only hope of communicating with Gen.
, cral f. is through a ruse. / desire one
of you to attempt to signal him from
that knoll in the center of the ridge by
bellOgraph. He Is too far off for other
means to attract his attention. The
messenger is to carry white flag, rid
Ing obliquely toward the enemy In
token Of surrender, at the same time
making his way still farther toward
the knoll. When he deems best he is
to turn at an angle and ride over the
open space to that ravine at the foot
of the knoll, where he will be under
cover to the crest. He will have one
chance in twenty to get through. 1
cannot order any man on such a duty.
Go and settle 1t among yourselves who
shall make the attempt"
Dawn had broken, but 1t would be
yet several hours before the sun would
be high enough for signaling Some
one proposed that to forestall suspense
we play a game of "freeze out" poker
to pass the time and decide who should
be sacrificed. The proposition was ac-
copied by all-there were ten Of US
q worn pack of cards was produced, q
hundred beans given to each and the
| game began.
was the first man to win immunity.
In an hour seven more had won their
hundred beans and left two to decide
which was to make the attempt 1t
happened that these two were bosom
friends, Plat and Milford. 1t was
soon noticed that they were playing |
into each others hands. Each refused |
TO bet on q good hand, each would pass |
out on a poor one. We did not like !
this, and one Of our number, an In
veterate gambler, having a set Of dice,
we Insisted OF substituting them for
the cards, thus making it purely a
game of luck.
Minford was at first behind in the
score, but toward the end Plat caught
I'D with him. Then when Plat had but
ten points to win Mlnford threw dou-
BILE skies, and the duty to be performed
fell to Plat Minfords brow lowered,
but he said nothing. Plat took his
friends hand and pressed it.
The general ordered the messenger
10 start at 0 O'clock A few minutes
before 0 he was ready and received his
final instructions. The sky was clear,
and the messenger had such apparatus
as he could carry to reflect the sun.
He was about to mount when one Of
sur corps cried:
"Lookw
Following the direction of his eyes
to the southwark, one saw from be-
hind the line of timber a horseman
ride out into the open with white
flag
"Who is it? asked the general ca
gerly.
"NIinford" cried one Of the corps
who had raised a glass.
Plat was sitting on his horse ready
to start. shall never forget the ex-
preston on his face. He had been
tricked in this game Of sacrifice which
spurs to his horse when the general
seized his bride.
wait"
l raised q glass and distinctly saw
Minford riding obliquely toward the
enemy. He rode within 300 yards Of
she advance line, then, suddenly
down the flag, whirled to the {
right, and his horse seemed to skim
the surface like swallow. Milford
had something appa emily heavy lash
ed to his saddlebow. and his efforts
were solely given to steady 1t. A vol
ley broke from the enemy's line, but
Milford was hit we could not I
see. AS he neared the mouth Of the I
ravine he went down S
"Let me 90, generalr' cried Platt In G
trying to break away. G
"Stay whore you are, sir" replied the |
general sternly. do you suppose I
'use can be repeatedT E
Our last hope seemed gone. Then t
one of us with the best glass saw a S
speck staggering along on foot In the t
'avine. exposed to our view, but con- f
,ealed from the enemy 1t was lost
md long while after appeared far
her up, crawling. and seemed to be
'olling round black ball Again 1t |
vas lost in shadow. and when we saw
t again it was near the crest. still -
but, oh, how slowly. Finally -
t stopped, started again, and In half an -
lour passed hundred feet still re-
naming to reach the summit. Then A.
We lost it, =
Suddenly n column Of smoke shot up
rom the crest. followed by a boom. -.
"He has wOn," said the general, drop II
ing his glass. "IIe had shell with y
lin. How he ever got 1t there is a u
Wonder"
Then we all remembered that Plat &C
ad the only Photograph apparatus In pl
amp that could be carried on horse al
ack. IL
The bursting shell was the signal for DC
fierce attack on as by the enemy, CT
which we withstood, though growing u
7eaker with every assault. Late in the
fternoOn we saw troops on the ridge, ~
nd the enemy suddenly withdrew. va
On the knoll we found Mlnford's dead In
ody. He had been wounded but once, tic
lortally, and that at the foot of the be
avine. J
During the fight Plat left the signal tn
orps to act as aid to the general, who FRI
ave him the position TO soothe him. l tn
Oticed that he was determined not to
Dme out Of the fight alive and he sue so
eeded. sa
have always been In doubt II the ,
eneral was justified In thus using ne
ag Of truce and If Milford was right su
/ assuming duty that had fallen to rot
"a friend. T. 4. mitchell, re
A (,rnrsuH Hor CuaP.