American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-09-28

inc hdy was sui gDuhS. J
Donald Parr attempted to comfort
her with the assurance that their pO-
sitions were so strong they could hold
out another "a hours, if required
by which time help must surely
have come to them from the regular
army and the National Guard which
had been modified for border duty.
Against this argument there re-
manned the unquestionable fact that
repeated kilograms evoked no re-
Spouse from any quarter.
And re-enforcements at any time
would arrive too late to prevent hide
Gus mortality in the ranks of the de-
tenders.
Toward mid-mOrning a second series
of most violent assaults was launched
against the mainline trenches, and
though each in turn was thrown back
severely punished. each took its toll of
American lives and by so much lessen
ed the ability to present im~pregnable
resistance.
But by noon Huroki seems TO
have made up his mind that further ef-
forts to take the trenches by storm
we're futile. There fell a lull in the
fury of the combat between the in
fantry forces, while a thanking move
ment on the part of the Mexican cav
airy was met and confronted by a
cloud of rough-riding plainsmen I'M
der the leadership of ROdman Pills
bury.
Then again the artillery duel was
resumed; but there was in this some
thing strangely perfunctory, as far
at least as the work of the allied gun
ners were concerned. The suspicion
was warranted, and by subsequent
events was borne out, that Huroki was
sparring for time.
He was awaiting the arrival of heav-
, Ter artillery; whatever those circum-
stances were which delayed its COM
, ing with effective range till dusk Of
: evening, they alone saved Patria's
|, forces from annfhilation-though much
:. credit is due to the scouts of Patria's
lying corps for the willingness and skill
with which they engaged the japanese
aviators and drove them from the
, sky above the American positions pre-
u venting their locating the hidden bat
teries.
. The last traces of light were dying
from the sky when Hurokfs heaviest
+, metal came into action.
. simultaneously new and extraor
, dinarily vicious assaults were made
~ upon the trenches.
# And still no word from Washing
h. ton or from any other quarter t
which appeals had been telegraphed
r It was not till midnight that {
Sc scouting party dispatched by Donald
fir Parr brought in an explanation Of thi'
Of ~ostensible indifference on the part o
the authorities to the fate of Patria'
% devoted little band.
o. Then it appeared that the wires ha'
been cut by japanese spies who ha'
n received-and suppressed-all mes
IS sages dispatched by Patria's field heac
ir quarters. in such manner as complete
" to deceive her telegraph operators
all In short, it transpired that not or
d. of those many frantic cries for hel
ng had been heard but by enemy ears.
ps Throughout a night of hopeless no
ror the battle ragged. From the m
ment when Huroki's great guns el
re tered into the contest there was scare
" a single perceptible break in II
vi succession of assaults upon u
trenches till dawn broke upon the
ne desperately thinned ranks.
ed And with the dawn came the fin
M effort. a charge in force that taxed
the utmost the courage, resource al
ingenuity of the Americans. TIL
II broke and was swept back can
counted as nothing short Of mirac
J lOus.
As it did so. Donald Parr fel' 1
shoulder shattered by shrapnel.
When he recovered consciousne
IN her arms. and she knew that /
hurt was not mortal, Patria took in
her own hands the command viii
{ sba had resigned 10 his. COnferri
nv telephone in person with her sta
j she ordered the effort of the last
sort. the forl0rn hope which had be
reserved for that moment when {
dav seemed lost and sacrifice OF 5
alone might stem the tide of defeat.
All defensive tactics were abandon
Tho men were ordered from
trenches. to advance, TO charge q
keep on charging till the last man +
To give them heart a fleet Of tanks
armored caterpillar tractors carry
macbine-gun crews-were loosed VI
the enemy.
Looming through the gray forml
up llght Oh 'ne -a,oi+,,o Ere
par strous arlH"e3 IT. own tranc
s,.. and met and broke a charge OF ia
uIns nese and Mexican infantry, scatter
pa. it like chaff.
As the enemy turned and fled n
terrors the Americans forsook
H. shelter of their trenches and pursl