Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-03-06

up the slender scaling-sticks, while
Sam fought to hold his place at the
generals heels. The letters were warm
against his breast. He was not afraid.
This was only bigger fight than a
score of others that he had ridden in
to and through.
When it was done he would hear
from home He CROPPED for Hendricks
spurred heel.
Over the coping they crawled. The
top of the wall was as broad as city
pavement. The Chinese fired from
within the town and from each side
as they retreated along the wall. The
Japanese leaders started to the left,
the Americans, under Hendrie, to the
right, each column being led from the
swarming ladders. The city below
seemed seething with demons and
fires.
Sammy, still in his place, saw the
Chinese kneel to aim. Many were
pointing their guns at the figure of
the general The boy wass swung
about by hot, horrid blow upon the
shoulder. There was buzzing in his
ears and his legs melted beneath
him.
But the voice of Hendrie rang clear
ly upon his understandings:
THE Russians have made the West
Gate! Come on, my men! The Ger
mans are pouring"
Sammy, on his knees, played
"Charge!" with all his might.
Suddenly a soldier cried:
"Hendrie is down! It's taps for the
general"
Then the staff and soldiers swarming
round the leader heard the first notes
| of the sweetest call the army knows.
| 1t was not a time for taps, with the
battle still raging, but ''the best trum-
peter in China" was dazed, and his
giant had fallen.
Hours afterward the wounded Of
ficers and men We're lying together in
temporary hospital in the Chinese
city. Sammy opened his eyes and sniff
fed the odor of drugs. He could only
move one hand, but with that he felt
that his letters were gone, his blue
shirt removed entirely. Tears came
| into his eyes. He called out his great
trouble. His words sounded far off
and strange.
Get Trumpeter Burlage's letters
| for him!" said voice at the right.
I'll see to it, sir" answered Red
Cross man. His clothing had to be
cut off, and they were in that prob
ably"
General Hendrie-taps!" mumbled
Sammy.
Not yet, little man. the voice at
the right interrupted. There's lots
of fighting to be done before We take
Peking-and lots of letters to read"
Somebody had the audacity to or
der the general to cease speaking.
Sammy dozed off again, putting his
trust in his chieftian. In full day
light he awoke once more, thinking
that he was at sea; but the nurse told
him he was in river steamer, being
carried down to the port. He asked
for his letters and General Hendrie,
but the nurse ordered him to go to
sleep, and he obeyed.
Sometimes in darkness, sometimes
in daylight, he made known his de
sires, but no one seemed to under
stand. Trumpeter Sam had not lost
faith, but he was weak, and the tears
would come.
Days passed dreamily. He was
moved from place to place. and often
got Whit of the sea. He felt strong
er now, and the pain in his shoulder
bothered him less. One morning it OF
cured to him that they were taking
him back on the hospital ship to Sla
nila-without his letters!
He was about to raise his voice il
protest when two men came, and lift
ed his cot up companionway. Trul,
enough, he was at sea. Sammy de
manded his letters and General Hen
drie. The men laughed.
Bring him in here!" called well
known voice.
! The cot was lifted into large cab
in, and the white, wasted face OF the
general smiled at the boy from :
berth.
81 didn't mean to keep you waiting
SO long, young man, but I've been de
lirious, they tell me. Your letter:
were put in my hands in that hos
pital at Tienshan, and we managed
to get separated somehow"
Mother and little sister were well
His big aster-bed was in full bios
som. All loved him and prayed
for his safety.
Sammy looked up at last, squeezing
the tears of happiness out from be
tween his eyelids. The general wa:
watching him delightedly.
81 thank you, sir, and I'm very glat
that you are better" Sammy gulped
81 suppose we're going back to Ma
nila?"
MANILA" exclaimed the general
We're a blessed week on the wa,
home! ! couldn't go on furlough with
out an orderly Read on, son. 1t doe!
me good to watch you. After tina
we'll climb Tienshan wall all owe