The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-09-25

aging party up the valley, and an Aus
tins company fell down from the spur
they had held while the mules were
being loaded up with grass and grain,
both men and officers were congratu-
lating themselves that there had been
no enemy about The company formed
up at the foot Of the hill to walt and
cover the machine guns and their es-
cort as they came down from the CD
posite spur.
This 10 record day" said Austin
to his subaltern. Parcy Jones. 81 be-
lieve We shall get back to camp with
out firing q shot and without a casu.
atty. II really looks as IL these politi-
Gals were working some settlement"
Shall be mighty pleased II they do
as want to get back. shall 60 for
the stan corps"
Austin. who had been watching the
opposite hill. dropped his field glass
to the full extent OF the lanyard and
turned suddenly upon his subaltern.
Why. WHAT'S the reason of that,
Your governor has plenty OF stun.
hasn't he?
Hes beastly rich. II isn't that.
but ! think our old mans down on
me. He was ugly about that missing
rife"
Don't talk rot. You youngsters
always take things too much to heart
He's no more down on you than on
anybody else"
Yes. he Is. What does he shoot
me about like this for? I haven't had
two years service. and have been In
every company in the regiment. Il
doesn't give q man a chance when
hes moved about like this. Besides.
suppose l wanted to marry-Hello.
something's up"
couple OF shots rang out from the
opposite ridge. and in "A minute the
whole crest line was dotted with puffs
story again; the tribesmen. with their
wonderful instinct for taking cover. hui
remained unseen over the reverse OF
the crest while their watchmen had
signaled that the retrograde movement
10 camp had commenced. Waiting before
they TOOK the Initiative. till the noun
tan guns had limbered up and were
well on the covering position they had
held all day. tie tribesmen had now sud
denly crowned the crest line OF the
spur which the machine gun and escort
had evacuated. and were pouring a rapid
nre upon the Reds as they caught the,
, nalf way DOWN the hill. In moment
Nustln gave his company the range and
opened covering FIRE range at loo
yards. hut long range volleys fro none
company avail little to keep down the
hre OF force ~ sklrmishers who know
every inch OF the country. and who take
heir positions accordingly. without for
nation. IL was going badly with the
machine gun detachment for they were
hung up on the steep hillside. and by the
opening IRE four men had been hit
Knowing this. the enemy were pressing
down upon them. trusting that IL thev
! could close up upon the party melr
mountain guns could not help ta.m.
| They hal chosen their time admirably.
I he
| battery came into action they were al
J most mixed with our men. II was q mo-
/ m"nt Tor action on the part Of individual
/ commanders Austin. seeing at a glance
/ that the gun detachment was beyond the
/ aid OF artillery nre ceased nr!nR. and.
turning 20 his subaltern. said:
| Jones. take the right half company.
and under the cover Of that spur on the
! left work up as high as you can and
You'll turn their flank. I'll cover you
with the other half company. OFF you
get. Take them AT the double"
J IL was rough work. but the men knew
that n company of their regiment was
| In difficulties. and they raced across the
nullah bed Jones nursed his men for a
| moment at the foot OF the hill and then
| they Slanted up the spur. For hun
drcd Yards they were unseen. hut then
right. ran into them. II was brisk
/ two inmates. and Jones lost a man: bur
: one party ~ tribesmen. at least. had
} been surprised.
Creeping along ledge. Jones' party
could hear the voices OF their own men
a. they stood 10y the Maxim. and the
rocks spiiutered and busted around them
a. the enemy they had driven up sought
{" take charge for their first dIScorfi-
tor" and then for the first time IL
3 damned upon the boy subaltern what a
serious position he was in-but for the
whistle of Austin'S voleys above his
head. h" and his hair company were
alone In the midst Of the enemy lie
could not afford TO wait 30 starting 10
his feet he shouted
''T~n ragaIines-for the guns boys
And A. he men leaped to their feet the
sound pf the first boom Of the mountain
gun r'Ncrh@rated M against ther1 fol
lowed 10y the scattering report Of burst
INK shrappei Thank Cod said the
boy. and they bounded down to whore
They knew they would find the detach-