Arizona republican., 1911-10-20
THE NAN
WHO THOUGHT
BY OoNAL HAMILTON HAINEs.
Copyright. 1910. by the Pearson Pub
fishing company.

Nat, just tearing the flesh He hast
| ~ tore bandage from his shirt AM
bound it tightly about the boys head
then stopped and looked at him.
biting lecture on the severity o
wounds was on the tip of his tongue
but a look at the young face made hin
change his mind
Now, sir he said sharply. YOUR,
hlt-hard hit. You've done your duty
now you get back home to that girl
ShI II cure We up by the time me an
S':orty here finish this war-but there
ant nobody else do it. Don't stop al
hospitals-go on home"
He watched the slight figure crawI
back through the underbrush and drew
long sigh of relief.
Now" he said. Il can have both
HAMS for fightin'!"
Burke scrambled forward The
shshing fire of the batteries had sent
the gray-clad troops scurrying back
under cover of the timber. and the
brown masses were swarming over the
table-land. But there were no sup
ports. and the gray troops in the for
est swept the ground they had lost
with CALLING volleys. Deprived of the
heartening thunder of the batteries
behind them. the nervous lines fell
Jack down the hill
Well" said Burke to the tall man.
we've been up once; We can go
again"
Cautiously the gray figures stole
Lack TO the position about the farm
houses, while the brown regiments
gathered themselves in the dip along
TIE road for another rush. Suddenly
from the rear sounded a rumble of
wheels and tho cracking of whips.
Burke craned his neck above the bush
IS. and saw the two supporting batter
les Looping off TO another position.
While he watched they circled around
10 a point where they could reach
closer 10 the enemy-providing they
we're left alone. Burke strained his
eyes to see more clearly and then rose
TO his feet in excitement
Now they have done it," he walled
Sent them batteries around there
without any infantry TO cover EN-"
Burke was not close enough TO see
the cold. set expressions on the face
of the trained artillcrymen as they
carried out orders they knew 10 lie
sheer folly. but be could see the gun
ners withered. at their pieces. and the
horses shot down in the traces by
rifa-fire which they were helpless 10
return. Then TO make matter worse.
the half-craZed field officers endeavored
10 fling their already shaky infantry
back against a position which they
light carry. but could not possibly
hold.
Side by side. Burke and the tall
soldier went back up the slope. Again
the scattering volleys swept them, and
again the foe melted into the trees
Give en- the bayonet." Burke yelled
10 the men about him, get clear
through 10 them guns,"
But the brown lines had had enough
of the pummeling A little knot of
rIen gathered about Burke and fought
as he fought. taking all the cover they
could find. and shooting cautiously.
Burke accepted the implied command.
Shoot at their legs" he ordered,
these guns go high"
In front OF the little group the gray
lines kept TO the woods. but on both
sides of them the table-land was being
cleared of their own men. Across, be-
yond the houses they could see gray
figures about the wreck of the two
wasted batteries. And then, far TO
the left. the heads of fresh gray col
umns appeared. The brown lines did
not break; the men did not run. They
simply stopped fighting and started
his little cluster of men we'll in hand.
and making his slender stock of car
tridges count. saw the sudden reced
ing Of the brown wave and grinned
through the CRIME on his face.
"Hullo," he exclaimed. "the army's
goin' home!"
He rose to his feet, then crouched
down and commenced scuttling
through the brush, then rose to his
feet and ran.
Here" bawled the tall soldier be-
hind him, where you goin'?"
I'm goin' to get out" replied Burke
without hating.
A wave OF that useless, impotent
courage which turns men into fools
or heroes?) smote the tall man sud
ienly.
You amt" he shouted. you're
.omin' back with me here where We
1long. You've been hollerin' about
what a lot o. fools we are, an now
you're tryin' TO run. You come back"
He ran a few steps. reached out a
ong arm and gripped Burke by the
sleeve.
You come back" he repeated.
Burke turned upon him a look that
vas not quite amusement nor yet an
ger. drew back his rifle and struck
he tall man square!y in the pit OF
he stomach with the ironshod butt.
The tall man grunted and sat down alb
.uptly-the breath driven from his
Iod..-
Now" said Burke unfeelingly, you |
ook about as foolish as you arei Bet
er toddle along when you get your |
xind,'
He passed into the midst OF scene |
" pitiful confusion. The brown regi |
nents. hopelessly mingled together |
we're all moving one way. AT first |
here were no signs Of panic; the men |
we're even good-natured. But their of |
icers, crazed by defeat in the first
lattle, flew in their faces like madmen
Tor time the men brushed them aside
without anger.
Got licked good and proper. didnt
xe?" Burke inquired genially OF bis
Kansas infantryman.
I'll al INNllN