The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-12-09
mules back, and stood facing him, as

mules back. and stood facing him, as
he advanced.
I'VE uns hain't got no boss" I an
Bwered, "but they sorter fell in ahind
O me cause wus astraddle O. this
muel. Be you named Lowrie?"
II reckon; I'm Red Lowrie," proud
k aspect, maybe, we've heerd tell
O. me, an If ye hev, ye know ye've got
ter step damn lively whin I howl.
Whut wus ye in Their army?"
Corporal"
The flames of the burning barn
leaped suddenly upward, as If fed by
some fresh combustion, and flung a
brighter glare over the rough faces
clustered about US. I saw Red Low
rie plainly enough now, as he peered
eagerly forward to scan my face, a
heavy-set, coarse-featured man, with
prominent nose, and thick. matted red
beard. Hs wore a wide-brimmed soft
army hat, under which his eyes shone
maliciously, and he grasped a long
ride In one big. hairy hand. As /
gazed at him curioussy, some one
hastily pushed a way through the
group at his back, and the next in
slant tall figure stood at his side. Il
recognized the newcomer at single
glance, and for the moment my heart
fairly choked met was Craig.
"Lowrie," he said, pointing straight
at me. "thar's somethin' wrong yere.
That Teller thar is Captain Wayne, o.
my OIL regiment"
All that occurred next was but the
impulse of second. I stood with
hand resting lightly upon the mules
neck, his long head dropping sleepily
beside my shoulder. I saw Red Low
RE throw up his gun, all his evil ma
ture written in his face. his cruel eyes
instantly aflame with anger, and, in
spired by the desperation of our case.
I stopped suddenly, and blew with all
my force into that long, pendant ear.
Beelzebub gave vent to one snort Of
mingled rage and terror, and then let
drive, backing into that cluster Of
choice rascals like very thunderbolt
of wrath, cleaving his way by every
lightning blow of those nimble legs,
and tumbling men to right and left.
There was a yell Of fright, a wild
scramble for safety, a perfect volley
Of cursing-I saw Red Lowrie go
tumbling backward, a heel planted
fairly in the pit of his stomach, and
the next instant Craig, swearing like
a pirate. was damned down on top OF
him, a red cash across his forehead.
It was all accomplished so speedily,
that 1t seemed but medley of heels,
of wildly cavorting mule, Of scram-
bling, falling men.
"Fire!" I cried excitedly. "sock 1t
into them, lads, and follow mel"
There was q quick outburst Of
dame, thunderous report, and, with
out waiting to see or hear more, l
sprang forward through the dense
smoke, and raced madly toward tho
front door. Cation painted at my side,
and I could hear the heavy feet OF
score OF men pounding the turf be-
hind US. The rush was so rapid, the
noise so great and confusing, could
not distinguish whether we were even
fired upon from the rear, but marked
red fash at one Of the windows in
our front, and heard behind me q
sharp wall OF agony.
IF any man drops, pick him upl"
I called, and at that moment we
sprang up the steps, and began pound.
ing loudly against the door.
open up!" shouted the Lieutenant,
anxiously. Brennan, open up, quickl
It's Cation with help"
though it never would open. A
volley crashed into us, and Sands
pitched down upon his face, clutching
at the man next him as he fell.
glanced back anxiously-a dark, con-
fused mass Of men, without military
formation, were running across tho
open space toward us.
"'Bout facet" shouted. LOAD at
will-flre!"
We poured one scattering volley
into them. It halted their movement
for moment, and then the door
opened scant crack.
us this you, Caton?"
Eyes; for Gods sake, open up!"
The heavy door swung slowly In.
ward, and with wild rush to be first,
we surged headlong into the hall.
CHAPTER xxx.