Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1916-08-04

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 it 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 a bucket of water"
growled Kynaston. salt bacon isn't
any too appetizing. There are ponies
in the stables behind; I'm going to
try it. 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 earth-and the young
American found himself lying face
down behind a mesQuit 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 horse in pain made him
turn, spilling half the contents of his
bucket. His pony was down, shot
through the barrel. He 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 III 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 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 rebe
after another attempt to take posi-
ton from which he could be out1ankeG
and thus forced to run across the oper
space of the unsheltered hillside.
Bullet after bullet made him huI
the ground closer and closer.
Presently he heard shout from thu
house that sent the red blood coursini
again through his veins.
''Oh, Kynaston!" it said, duck you
nut, youngster; duck your nut! Your
right in my line O. fire-Pm comm
down to you"
Down went Kynaston's head. H
dared not turn to look, for he knew
that no man living can turn withou
partially rising. Three Mexican
skulked across the road, taking cove
in the thin fringe of mesquit alon
the trail. The leader stopped lon
enough to fire twice at Kynaston. TIL
American rifle spat out it's answer. A
the same time Kynaston heard anothe
rifle crack from higher up tho hill
Upton, prone in the dirt, was cover
ing Kynaston's retreat.
Kynaston heard Upton's shot whee
past him just as his own finger presse
the trigger The man in the road bt
low him staggered, spun around twic
and dropped upon his face.
He waiter no longer, but sprang
his feet, gripped the half-empty waite
: bucket with one hand, and trailing hi
rife with the other dashed up the ma
row trail to the house, where he wa
received with hearty congratulation
VI COuTS6, We ASSuOu IL UduAy
said Mrs. Fame as she took the buckC
from his hand. but. not SO badly g
that" She pointed to a thin line {
red that showed above his cola
Kynaston raised his hand to it an
:. laughed.
: 'Tt can't be anything. l pleds
you my word l never knew We
touched Oh, say"
He broke off suddenly as he locke
at Dorothy Upton, for her eyes wei
full of telltale tears.
There they come again!" growle
Wilkes, pointing down the hill.
a A group of rebels had gathers
about the dead man. Even as Il
> Americans watched they came forwal
J. slowly up the slope, waving for fl;
+ shirt that was long past all days
whiteness.
Come on, Wilkes, and hear VIII
9 they've got to say"
Mr.. Upton and the old man walk
n out to meet the flag of truce.