The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-21
Continued from mage 6,

10y pOulluS ulTly Il.
A bullet wheeped past his ear. The
scream Of horse in pain made MIN
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-
lenders OF the house.
Halfway to the house he got, Then
the fusillade from the attackers made
MIN 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 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-
ton from which he could be outflanked
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 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-Im 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
skulked 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 spat out its answer. At
the same time Kynaston heard another
rifle 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
the trigger. The man in the road be-
low him staggered, spun around twice
and dropped upon his face.
He waiter no longer, but sprang to
his feet, gripped the half-empty water
bucket with one hand, and trailing his
rifle with the other dashed up the mar
row trail to the house, where he was
received with hearty congratulations.
''Of course, we needed 1t badly"
said Mrs. FAME as she took the bucket
from his hand, but not so badly as
that" She pointed to thin line of
red that showed above his collar.
Kynaston raised his hand to 1t and
laughed.
at can't be anything. | pledge
you my word | never knew l was
touched oh, say"
He broke off suddenly as he looked
at Dorothy Upton, for her eyes were
full Of telltale tears.
There they come again." growled
Wilkes. pointing down the hill.
A group of rebels had gathered
about the dead man. Even as the
Americans watched they came forward
slowly up the slope, waving for a flag
a shirt that was long past all days Of
Wilderness.
Come ON, Wilkes. and hear what
they've got to say
Mr.. Upton and the old man walked
out to meet the flag of truce.
(To be continued)