Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1914-10-30

THE LAST RUNNER.
(By Guy de

- WIN NJ lNINatAis
rifles was ~signalled.
They were encamped Oh a hill over
looking the pond Rung-Gis and had
strengthened their position by hurricdly
constructed earthworks. making il i'm
pregnable from the front. Ii must he Mt.
tackled from the rear by climbing steep
Mount Das which dominated il and this
meant a nights hard march while a small
gun ON the shore of the lake averted the
atteu ion Of the rebels from the main
attack.
Nothing. i'm fact, could look simpler
on paper and the order was issued for
a detachment of such native soldiers rs
were in possession Of Shoes to start on
the expedition, each taking with him 40
cartridges and four days rations.
AT the hour appointed the detachment
stood ready, consisting Of a mountain
officer. csovcred by half a company Of
native sharpshooters from AMMAN.
Forward march!'
The bugieS gave the sign-2s and the
little force started across the 'plNn, ap-
preaching the mountain in single file by
an almost hidden path through the rice
fields. When the shore Of Lake Rung Gis
was reached the detachment stopped to
await the coming of darkness. I'M
mediately after SHUTDOWN the march was
continued. The detachment separated into
two parts TO march around the position,
one north the other south, and meet i'll
the rear of il az dawn. for a combined
assault upon the enemy engaged in return
ing the fire of the guns in front.
"You understand Vauzard,' said the
captain before the detachment started,
"you will begin Smelling the rebels at
down and keep il up until We have ar
rived up there"
understand, captain" the marchis
replied, until your arrival up there,
no matter ut what cost"
The two detachments plunged into dark
ness OF the night through a forest infested
with snakes and tigers.
"Gun! Firc!'
IL was the hour Of dawn and the
first faint rays of the sun rose above
the top If the mountain.
Gun! Fire!"
The echoes rolled through the hills
rs the little gun fired its shells with
cIockwork regularity. two a minute,
bursting in the air like tufts Of cotton
AGAINST the dark sky. In four shote
the range was found and there was not
thing to do but keep on firing shrapcl
until the assaulting force came up
from behind. Shells were handed ra-
pidly from hand to hand by the five
punners. Folloevccc, the chief gunner,
raised his arm until the command was
given and the shot went off.
When the first panic was over how
ever. the Chinese recovered and went
Ia their posts and began To reply TO the
firing.
"Bum!" said Lavaille, the joker Of
the gang. 1T really looks as if the
celestials think they have a word 10
say, too" Rifle bullets whistled and
sang past the ears of the gunners. who
being under fire for the first time,
naturally shook their heads and bent
down low.
What the devil is the matter with
You cried Nauzard impcrturbable
in the midst Of a veritable hail of lead.
I'VE were just looking around To see
IL you had not brought IN umbrella"
answered Lavaille with a grin.
You shall havev two dys arrest in
the guard house for talking in the ranks
Layaille," shouted Nauzard, "and ] want
YOU 10 remind me Of it YOURSELF
Suddenly II white cloud burst over
head with n peculiar noise.
.Sacre nam dun Chem cried Nauzard
those yellow devils must have a gun.
too"
The Cinnamon indeed had a Krupp
gun and had succeeded in getting IT
in position.
THAT Is a good one" someone cried
and nj the same moment Lamblin, one
of the gunners, gave a loud cry and fell
on his back.
If they get our exact range We shall
see some fun"
The gun was moved some TWO nun
drcd metres forward, but fifteen minutes
later the Chiamen had got the range OF
the new position and their shells burst
once more directly overhead.
Curse those devils" murHlurs the
sergcants.
Suddenly there is a dreadful explo-
sion. A Chinese shell has struck the
caisson and blown il up.
II am hit cries Vauxard and falls
forward. his abdomen torn open DN