The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-05-04

Have the enemy kept you busy!
Der vos some shooting. und Hadiey
he got hurt bad. but der fellers Is all
gone"
Bring your men At for duty out
here in the hall. and have them join
my party. How many have you?"
Der Is four. captain"
lie drew back, and as he disap-
peared some one came hastily toward
us along the hallway from the rear.
What Is IT, Caton?" I asked anx-
iously. as | recognized him.
They are forming 10 rush me. |
think" he answered Il need few
more men II can get them"
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 H. The front OF this
house is greatly exposed. and will
prove extremely diffcult 10 defend II
they come against IL with any force.
How many men do you absolutely re-
quire 10 hold your position? Remem-
Der. the women are all In 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 &C
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?"
II feel like a new man. Wayne" he
said thankfully, and | know you are
right Four more would be sufficien
besides the one in command"
Good Ebers," said, as my portly
sergeant again emerged from out the
darkness. take your four men back
10 the kitchen and assume command.
The guerillas are preparing to make
a rush there, and you must drive them
back by a rapid fire. Hurry along
now"
ht hAAlC bhitlg van
ished beyond the glow OF the light
when from without our ears were sud.
denly assailed by Wild exulting yell
that bespoke the charge
There they are.' l cried. Now.
lads. come With mel"
The dull. gray, chilling dawn re.
vealed room in utmost disorder the
windows shattered, the blinds cut and
splintered, the walls Scared with bull
let's and dishgured with stains OF
blood, the furniture overturned and
broken. A dead soldier In gray uni
form lay In the center OF the floor, his
life.blood dark stain upon the rich
carpet; a man with coat off, and blue
shirt ripped wide open, was leaning
against the further wall vainly endeav.
oring TO staunch a wound in his chest.
Brennan was upon one knee near the
central window, a smoking gun in his
hand, a red welt showing CHASTITY
across his cheek All this | saw in a
single glance, and then, with the leap
OF panther | was beside him, gazing
out into the morning mist, and firing
as fast as ! could handle my gun
Through the shifting smoke clouds
we could see them advancing on a
run-an ugly, motley line. part blue,
part gray, part everything-yell
as they swept forward like pack Of
Infatuated wolves, their fierce faces
scowling savagely behind the rifles.
II was half war. half riot-the reckless
onslaught OF outcasts bent on plumber,
inspired by lust, yet guided by rude
discipline.
knew little OF detail; faces were
blurred, unacceptable; all seemed
10 note clearly was that solid, brutal,
heartless. blasphemous line OF desper-
ate men sweeping toward us with a re-
lentless fury our puny bullets could
not check Reckless ferocity was In
that mad rush. they pressed on more
like demons than human beings /
saw men fall; | saw the living stumble
over the dead. | heard cries OF agony
shouts, curses. but there was no pause