Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-10-10
CHAPTER Xxx.
Turning the Tables.

Turning the Tables.
Through the door which the aide
had left open the division chiefs, led
by Turcas, filed in. To Westerling
they seemed like procession Of
ghosts. The features of one were the
features of all, craven with the weari-
ness of the machines treadmill. Their
harness held them up. A moving plat
form under their feet kept their legs
moving. They grouped around the
great mans desk silently, Turcas, his
lips half-opened seam, his voice that
of crinkling parchment. acting as
spokesman.
"The enemy seized his advantage"
he said, when he found that our re-
serves were on the march, out of touch
with the wire to headquarters"
Westerling forced smile which he
wanted to be knowing smile.
However. we had not prepared GU.
positions for the defensive" continued
that very literal parchment voice.
"They began an assault on our left
that they have turned it. Nor is that
the worst of it. They are pressing at
other well-chosen points. They threat
en- to pierce cur center"
"Our center!" gibed Westerling.
you need rest. Our center, where we
have the column of last nights attack
still concentrated! If anything would
convince me that / have to fight this
war alone-I-" Westerling choked in
Irritation.
Eyes. The ground is such that it Is
q tactically safe and advantageous
move for Lanstron to make. He strikes
at the vitals Of our machine"
But what about the remainder of
the force that made the charge? What
about all our guns concentrated In
front of Engadir?"
Il was coming to that The rout of
the assaulting column was much worse
than we had supposed. Those who are
strong enough cannot be got to re-
form. Many were so exhausted that
they dropped in their tracks. Our
guns are at this moment in retreat
or being captured by the rush of the
Browns infantry. Your Excellency,
the crisis is sudden, incredible"
"Our wire service has broken down.
We cannot communicate with many of
our division commanders" put in Bel
1ini, the chief of intelligence.
Eyes, our organization, SO dependent
on communication. is in danger Of dis
ruption," concluded Turcas. ITO avoid
disorder. we think it best to retreat
across the plain to our own range"
At the word retreat" Westerling
sprang to his feet, his checks purple,
the veins of his neck and temples
scuiptured as he took threatening
step toward the group, which fell back
before the physical rage Of the man,
all except the vice-chief, his mouth q
thin. ashy line. who held his own.
you cowards!" Westerling thun.
dered. Retreat when we have five
millions to their three!"
"Wc have not that odds now" replied
the parchment voice. "All their men
are engaged. They have caught US at
disadvantage, unable to use our num-
bers except in detail in trying to hold
on in face Of"
Il tell you we cannot retreat" Wes-
terling interrupted. THAT is the end.
! know what you do not know. l am
in touch with the government. Yes.
know"
This brought fresh alarm into faces
which had become set in grim stoicism
by many alarms. If the people were in
ignorance of the losses and the army
in ignorance OF the nations feeling,
the officers of the staff were no less in
ignorance of what passed over the
long-distance wire between the chief
of staff and the premier.
II know what is best-I alone!"
Westerling continued. driving home his
point. Tell our commanders to hold.
Neither general nor man is to bulge.
They are to stick to the death. Any
one who does not shall hold up to
public shame as poltroon. Who
knows but Lanstron's attack may be
a council of desperation? The Browns
may be worse off than we are. Hold.
hold! II we are tired, they are tired.
Frequently it takes only an ounce more
of resolution to turn the tide Of battle.
Hold, hold! Tomorrow will tell diff
ferent story! We are going to win
yet! Yes, we are going to win!"
1T is for you to decide. Your Excel
lency." said Turcas, slowly and pre-
cisely. "You take the responsibility.
Il take the responsibility. l am in
commando" replied Westerling in un'
fiinching pose.
Yes. Your Excellency."
And they filed out of the room, leav'
ing him to his isolation.
After Marta had learned. over the
telephone, from Lanstron OF the Ger
rain repulse Of the Gray assault, fatigue
sheer physical fatigue such as made
4 eoydiers drop dead in slunber ON the
earth, their packs still on their backs
i pyezcame her. Her work was done,