The Tucumcari news. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1906-02-24

"Ha, ha! Yis sor-r, thank We, sor-r, a
wee dhrap av whisky and a sandwich,
av We piaze! An ould sojer do be likin'
to ate on the roon!"
turned. Hurry, colonel, for the
love av Christi" groaned the brave fel.
low. His eyes wandered furtively over
the prairie; his hands worked at the
harness with frenzied haste and his
face was white as death-but his stiff
lips struggled bravely with Saint Pat
rick's Day in the Morning."
FASTENED back and informed the
party that Hogan had found It neces-
sary to return at once TO the fort. The
news, however, failed to meet q favor
able reception. The ladies went re-
l~uctantly about their packing and
Lieut.. Gilmore grumbled audibly about
high.minded privates. | glanced out
decided me.
do not be startled" I pleaded, "but
the seconds are as precious as the
drops of our life blood! Leave every
thing and get in the wagon for your
lives! Elnore," 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 revol.
yer and | have my shotgun. oh, God,
for our rifles"
Gilmore saluted, pale but steady as a
rock. Denny swung up with the
wagon. Before 1t stopped we had
flung the ladies in, bidding them lie
fiat upon the bottom of the box and
hold the child low. go, Denny!" l
shouted.
"Yis, SORT"
He leaned forward and dashed the
horses into a run. Gilmore and l
swung on behind aa3 the wagon head.
ed 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 a buffalo wal.
low. A savage yell foated family to
our ears. 7 ne race with death was on!
Hogan dashed and cursed the flying
horses. How far behind, colonel?" he
bawle6.
Half a mile, Denny! How far to
the ford?"
WAN mile, SORT"
A puff Of smoke burst from the dust
cloud and a bullet sped angrily over
our heads, knocking up the grass 100
yards ahead. The heavy wagon
lurched and bounded and the laborod
breathing of the horses rose above
the noise of the pounding wheels.
Half a mile to the ford, sor-r!" re
glanced owe his shoulder. PRAY" he
shouted, pray to the Vargin! Well
need her help this ride!"
"Whip!" l yelled. Lay on the whiA
DENNY"
"Yis, Sort" The whip whistled
shrilly. Their backs do be a mass q '
blood already, SORT"
A volley came knocking among 10.
Gilmore and | fired our pistols without
effect.
"Courage!" screamed the b,a 7e
Irishman. Courage! Here's the ford
and the cavalry comm beyant! ] hear
the bugle and bless God it's sinein' the
'Char-rge!' WAooroo! Kape EN- OF
but a minute longer-oniy q uinIte
longer Fly, ye divils, fly! Don't ye
hear the bugle? Fly!-A hundred
yar-rds-Shoot close, colonel, ] car
hear the breathin' av their ponies
He half rose and bent forward over
the horses; but even as the lash Eel
another volley came and he rolled
from his seat to the torn ground while
the maddened team dashed or into the
ford. One fieeting last glimpse | hao
of Private Denny Hogan as he DRAGGED
himself to his knees and drew fig re
volver. Twice he fired and two f"rsei
flew riderless out OF the dust.rloud
Then he fell forward upon his fa3t ant
the savage wave rolled over hiir anC
into the river, whence preseI .ly
broken fragment of II fed away owe,
the prairie with the Nemesis OF crack
ing rifles upon its track.
And the cornfields now wave wher,