The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-07-30
Sspyrset by A. c. MeclurS a Co
nAweA e stsxSoo<r's Hall Lsnaoa.


Have the enemy kept you busy?"
Der vos some shooting, und Hadley
No 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 your"
Der Is TOUR. captain"
He drew back, and as he disap-
peared some one came hastily toward
us along the hallway from the rear.
What Is II. Caton?" I asked anx.
iously. as i recognized him.
They are forming TO rush me, I
tnmk.' he answered. II need q few
more men IL can get them"
They are preparing to assault front
and rear at the samo time" an
swered. They are massing now. and
In my Judgment Brennan will have to
face the brunt of 1t. The front OF this
house is greatly exposed. and will
prove extremely difficult to defend IL
they come against II with any force.
How many men do you absolutely re-
quire to 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
shorld control our actions. am go
'ns there. orders or no orders. Ebers
can command your detachment and ac-
complish all the service you possibly
could. Your rightful place Is between
snese rufians and the woman you
love. How many additional men will
DO required to make the back of the
house secure?''
Il feel ike a new man. Wayne" he
said thankfully. "and know you are
right Four more would be sumcicnt.
besides the one IN command"
Coed Ebers." said. % my portly
sergeant again emerged from ont the
das skness. take yOdr four men back
20 the kitchen and assume command.
The guerillas are preparing to mako
rush there. and you mus drive them
back by q rapid fire. Hurry along
now"
The little group had barely van.
1shed beyond the glow OF the light
wher from without our ears were sud.
denly assailed by q wild. exulting yell
that bespoke the charge.
There they are!" cried. Now.
lads. come with mel"
The dull. gray. chilling dawn re-
vealed n room In utmost disorder, the
windows shattered. the blinds cut and
splintered. the walls SCARED with bull.
lets and disflgured with stains Of
blood. the furniture overturned and
oroknn. A dead soldier I'm gray uni.
form lay In the center OF the floor. his
hfe-olood q dark stain upon the rich
carpet; q man with coat of, and blue
shirt ripped wide open. was leanir &
against the further wall vainly endeav-
orins TO staunch a wound In his chest
brennan was upon one knee near the
central window, q smoking gun In his
hand. q red welt showing ghastly
across his cheek. All this saw In a
single glance. and then. with the leap
OF a panther I 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-yelling
as they swept forward like a pack OF
fnfuriated wolves. their fierce faces
scowiins savagely behind the rifles.
II was half war. half riot-the reckless
onslaught Of outcasts bent on plunder.
inspired by lust, yet guided by rude
discipline.
knew little Of detail; faces were
blurred. unrecognizable; all | seemed
TO 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 ferocitv was IN
that mad rush; they pressed on more
Ike demons than human beings. |
saw men fall ' saw the living stumble
over the dead. heard cries OF agony,