The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-07-07

We'd better keep men watching all
night"
so the party was divided into two
reliefs: Mr.. Wilkes, Upton, and a
Mexican composed one; Kynaston. No
Ian. and Wilson the other II waG
piteh.baek; the hours passed like
years. The night was so still, and the
stiffness so nerve racking, that every
crackle IN the brush, every call OF a
night bird, every gurgle of the creek,
brought the defenders to their loop
holes In anticipation of an attack. But
the night passed. without alarm,
though II was not until dim daylight
showed the column of smoke from the
besiegers camp fire that the defense
relaxed its vigilance.
Il wish | dared run out TO that
creek bed for q bucket OF water"
growled Kynaston salt bacon isn't
any too appetizing. There are ponies
In the stables behind; I'm going TO
try II. Give me the bucket"
Before anyone could stop him he
he seized a bucket and dashed into
the stable. A moment later they saw
him fiat upon his pony carrying his
rifle low and TO the right. galloping
down the trail TO the creek bottom,
where the water gurgled halfway be-
tween the two contending parties
A hundred yards! A shot. Two
hundred yards! A storm of bullets
from the defense covered his reckless
venture. Three hundred yards! His
pony, stumbling and slipping down the
steep banks, plowed its nose along
twelve feet of eaEth-and the young
American found himself lying face
down behind a p,esquit bush on the
banks Of the stream, his hand holding
the bucket over the edge, trying to
haul back forty pounds of dirty water.
A bullet wheeped past his ear. The
scream of a horse in pain made him
turn, spilling half the contents Of his
bucket His pony was down, shot
through the barrel. lie wormed his
way back to the shelter of its body
carrying with him the half-bucket Of
dirty water that meant life to the de.
tenders of the house.
Halfway to the house he got! Then
the fusillade from the attackers made
him throw himself to the ground in a
wild attempt to seek cover. The an
swering roar from the loopholes OF the
house atop the slope behind him told
him the grateful news that the gar
rison had seen his predicament.
Time after time a shot wheeped
close to his head. Time after time he
carefully pulled that half-filled bucket
with its precious contents closer to
him so that it should not be spilled.
Time after time he sank closer and
still more close into the little hollow
that sheltered him, biding his oppor-
tunity for a final scramble uphill to
the safety of the house.
From this vantage-point on the
slope, Kynaston could see one rebel
after another attempt to take a posi-
tion from which he could be outfianked
and thus forced to run across the open
space of the unsheltered hillside.
Bullet after bullet made him hug
the ground closer and closer.
Presently he heard a shout from the
house that sent the red blood coursing
again through his veins.
"Oh, Kynaston!" it said, duck your
nut, youngster; duck your nut! You're
right in my line O. fire-Pm comm
down to you"
Down went Kynaston's head He /!
dared not turn to look, for he knew
that no man living can turn without
partially rising. Three Mexicans
5kulked across the road, taking cover
in the thin fringe of mesquit along
the trail The leader stopped long
enough to fire twice at Kynaston The .
American rifle sput out its answer At .
the same time Kynaston heard another
rife crack from higher up the hill.
Upton, prone in the dirt, was cover
Ing Kynaston's retreat.
Kynaston heard Upton's shot wheep
past him just as his own finger pressed
he trigger. The man in the road be-
ow him staggered spun around twice
and dropped upon his face.
He waiter no longer, but sprang to
lis feet, gripped the half-empty water
lucket with one hand and trailing his
life with the other dashed up the mar
'ow trail to the house, where he was
eceived with hearty congratulations.
"Of course, we needed it badly"
laid Mrs. Fame as she took the bucket
rom his hand, "but not so badly as
hat" She pointed to a thin line, of
ed that showed above his collar.
<ynaston raised his hand to it and
aughed.
1T can't be anything. I pledge
'ou my word l never knew l was
ouched- Oh, say"
He broke off suddenly as he looked
t Dorothy Upton, for her eyes were
ull of telltale tears.
There they come again!" growled
Wilkes, pointing down the hill.
A group of rebels had gathered
bout the dead man. Even as the
.mericans watched they came forward
lowly up the slope, waving for flag
shirt that was long past all days Of
vhiteness.
Come on, Wilkes, and hear what
ley've got to say"
Mr.. Upton and the old man walked
ut to meet the flag of truce.
NANNNNANNNNSN&NNNA NNNANNN%SAANNNNN~$
Do you think that Mrs. Fame
loves Lieutenant Kynaston and
that in the event of Dorothy's .