Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-03-31

m0MG m0G1OMAeBBs Th0 &EOuhu 0OeOS~
with the dead: then tried again. There
was a roar OF musketry, the crack of
rifles; bullets chugged into the logs,
and came crashing through the wlu-
dows. Glass showered upon US, and
the man next me went over like log;
someone struck me across the face
with q bloody hand, and shot splin-
tered the stock OF my gun, numbing
my arm to the shoulder. ! gripped
another weapon out OF the stiffen-
ing fingers of the man on the floor.
firing again blindly into the smoke
cloud. For an instant could see
nothing but that white vapor tinged
with red and yellow flame; then some
breath of air swept it aside. and the
attackers were drifting back, running
and stumbling.
stop firing!" / cried, they've had
enough. Pass the word to those men
at the door"
The fight at the front held longer,
yet it was scarcely FIVE minutes when
the last gun cracked, and a strange
silence took the place OF that hideous
uproar. For an instant not even a cry
from the wounded broke the stiffness.
the men leaning out of the windows
watching the disorganized retreat.
Then someone gave an exultant yell,
and voice after voice caught 1t up, the
old church echoing to the wild battle
cry of the South.
STEADY, men. steadyl" shouted Har-
wood from the door OF the vestibule,
his voice cleaving the din like the
blade of q knife. This is only the
first act. Load"
The light OF the moon streamed
In through the south windows, reveal
ing the overturned benches. the NOV
ing figures along the walls. the smoke
cloud drifting upward to the rafters.
The lieutenant picked his way down
the narrow aisle. He was bareheaded
and coatless, and even in that dim
light could perceive dark stain. like
oozing blood, on the front OF his shirt
"You are wounded?" ] exclaimed.
Nothing to worry over" he re-
piled easily, his eyes laughing, "a
mere touch in the shoulder, which,
however. has put my left arm out OF
commission. Ahi fair cousin!" and
he held up his hand in sudden greet
ing. I'VE who are about to die salute
you.'
DO not say that" she pleaded.
Surely the victory Is ours"
"Ayi we win the first round, but It
has cost heavily. l doubt IL we have
such luck again. What loss have you,
Wyatt?"
Two wounded and one killed."
answered soberly. I'VE had Cowan's
guerrillas to meet out there"
Eyes, / know; the infantrymen
stCfmed the front, and the troopers
peppered the side windows. Wharton
has three down, while they got Ave
of my lads. The front doors are
fairly riddled. They'll consolidate
next time, trust to the weight of mum
bers, and break through. They respec
US now, but we haven't licked thu
fight out of them by long chalk. I'm
going to take three of your men,"
He whispered a word to her. some
good-natured pleasantly. / thought. al
he bowed over her hand as though
they parted in gay parlOr: thel
! turned laughing away, and picked hi
passage down the aisle, a slender
, debonair figure, whistling q gay cam
tune. stared after him, scarcely abb
to comprehend such gay-spirited recB
lessness, when he stopped suddenly
and faced about.
/ DO what you can for your wount
: ed. Wyatt" he called back his voic
instantly serious. land keep my fai
1 cousin out of the ruck."
y Several figures fell In behind him a
: he went forward-the men he ha
( asked for from Wharton and O'Hare-
8 all disappearing within the blacknes
g of the yestibule. Leaving one ma
t alone posted at each opening, l ha
K the others of my small company bea
6 the two wounded men to the farthe
h corner, making them as comfortabI
q as possible. The dead man was lai
g out on one of the benches. and the
the three selected for that duty wei
z sent to join the lieutenant. This
o pletion of force left me q window
defend alone against the second a
4 tack. the opening to the left of II
,r pulpit, next to the corner in which Ia
d the wounded men and the prisone
ID AS / crossed the platform and toe
.e my place, Noreen arose from besiS
ii one of the bodies and her han'
IL grasped my arm.
e THE soldier who was shot in Il
ts chest" she said. her voice tramblin
ID ''he-he tried to tell me something.
ID. tore my skirt and bound It mp. b
n there was no water. I'll wish
Id wouldn't groan So
ne Her face, white in the moonIigl
IA was uplifted; even thought / cou
1y see the CLINT of tears In the eyes. Su
ck denly a great wave OF sympathy,
SIS regret, seemed to sweep over me. Al
leaned the carbine against the wa
n and clasped both her hands in mir
ne We grow accustomed to groans
. war" said swiftly. but what unma
<. me is your being here exposed to
~ this danger"
OK "Oh, no one will hurt me; / am 4
ed afraid for myself--truly am not CT
In tain Fox would never permit them
ed harm me-"
- ~-~s~xr.z-~~~