The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-04-09
CHAPTER XXI.
Hand to Hand.

window where l rested. tho grass
covered lawn sloped gradually down
ward until It terminated at a low
picket fence. thickly covered with
vines. A great variety OF shrubs,
which during the night had doubtless
afforded shelter for sharpshooters,
dotted this grass plot, while beyond
the fence boundary stood a double row
OF large trees. To the far left OF our
position the burnt stable yet smol-
dered DULY. occasionally sending up a
shower OF sparks as a draught of air
famed the embers, but there were few
signs OF life visible. For the moment
/ even hoped our enemies might have
grown discouraged and withdrawn.
What has become of the guerillas ?"
l asked in wonderment. turning as
spoke to face the Federal corporal
who lay on the other side of me. is
1t possible they have given up?"
Il think not. captain" he replied re-
specially, saluting as he would one OF
his own officers. They were there
just before the light came, and saw
dozen or more stealing along behind
the fence not five minutes ago. See,
there is squad Of them now huddled
together back of where the stable
stood"
Screw your eye close to the cor
ner Of the pane" l ordered hurriedly,
and see what you make out toward
the front of the house"
There's men out there sure, plenty
of EN-" he reported slowly. 1T looks
to me mighty like the end OF line OF
battle, right there by that big mag
nolia tree. Anyhow, there must be all
Of twenty fellows lying close together
between there and where the corner
of the house shuts off my view. don't
see none this side anywhere, unless
it's shooter or two hiding along the
fence where the vines are thick"
That's 1t, my lad" I exclaimed.
heartily, getting upon my feet as
spoke. I'VE can stand up now, there's
no danger here, but there will be mu-
sic for all of US presently. Those fell
lows are getting ready to charge us
front and rear"
There were five in the room.
could see them only indistinctly, as
the morning light was not yet sufi-
ciently strong TO penetrate clearly to
where we were, but | was able to note
those present-the corporal and his
wounded companion, with Hollis and
Call Of my troop.
Let the wounded man remain and
guard those windows" l commanded
He would prove of small value in a
hand-to-hand struggle, but can proba-
bly, do some shooting. The rest come
with me-"
led them forth into the wide hall
way, which extended the full length
OF the house, with a broad fight OF
stairs just forward of the center,
gradually curving and leading to the
second story. The suspended light
was yet burning as we came out, but
hickered wildly as If in a strong
draught of air, and l noticed that the
constant rain of bullets during the
night had badly splintered an upper
panel of the door. Halfway down the
broad hallway, and partially obscured
by the turn Of the stairs, door stood
slightly aJar upon the right hand.
Conjecturing this might be where the
defenders of the eastern exposure
were lying, / peered within. The
blinds were tightly drawn and / was
able to perceive little of it's interior,
excepting that the walls were lined
with books.
"Ebers," l called, thinking he must
be there, ARE you in charge here?"
II vos. captain" came the instant re-
ply, and he at once emerged from the
darkness.
Have the enemy kept you busy?"
Der vos some shooting, und Hadley
he got hurt bad, but der fellers is all
gone"
Bring your men fit for duty out
here In the hall, and have them join
my party. How many have your"
Der is four, captain"
He drew back, and as he disap-
peared some one came hastily toward
us along the hallway from the rear.
What is it, Caton?" | asked anx-
iously, as l recognized him.
They are forming to rush me.
think" he answered. 81 need few
AiOi Z men III can get luem.
They are preparing to assault front
and rear at the same time" | an
swered They are massing now. and
in my judgment Brennan will have to
face the brunt OF It, The front OF this
house is greatly exposed, and will
prove extremely difficult to defend II
they come against It with any force.
How many men do you absolutely re-
quire to hold your position? Remem-
Der, the women are all I'm the front
part OF the house. and we must pro-
tect them at all hazards; come with
me. There are times when a higher
law than that OF military despotism
should control our actions. / am go
ing there. orders or no orders. Ebers
can command your detachment and ac.
complish all the service you possibly
could. Your rightful place is between
these ruffians and the woman you
love. How many additional men will
be required to make the back OF the
house secure?'
Il feel Ike new man. Wayne" no
said thankfully, "and I know you are
right. -Four more would be sufficient.
besides the one In command"
Good Ebers," said, as my portly
sergeant again emerged from out the