The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-05-22

always flew down with falcon
flock.
From the first break of dawn
the battle had ragged; now, at
midday, it was at its height. Far
in the interior the Arabs had sur
prised the Frnech encampment
where 1t lay In the center of an
arid plain that was called Zaraila
IL was not a battle; 1t was q
frightful tangling of men and
rutes. No contest of modern war
fare. but a conflict, hand to
hand, breast to breast, life fol-
life.
one by one the officers had
been cut down, singled out by
the keen eyes of their enemies
At the last there remained but q
mere handful out of all the bril-
liant squadron. At their head was
Cecil.
En- avant, mes freres! France!
France! France!"
His voice-well loved-thrilled
the hearts of his comrades, and
brought them together like a
trumpet-call. They loved him
They were like lambs for him to
lead, like tigers for him to incite.
"Suivez-mCi!" he shouted.
Then, like arrows launched at
once from a hundred bows, they
charged; he still slightly in ad-
vance of them.
The effort was superb.
But the Arabs closed in on ev-
cry side. One instant longer and
the tribes pressing on them would
driven into the pens of slaughter.
Ere ii could be done, voice like
the ring of a silver trumpet ech-
oed over the field:
"En avant; En- avant; Tue, tue.
tue!"
Above the din that silvery ca
dence rung; down into the midst,
with the Tricolor waving above
her head, the bride of her fiery
mare between her teeth, and her
pistol leveled In deadly aim, rode
Cigarette.
Behind her, by scarcely length
galloped three squadrons of chas-
seurs and Sahis, breaking thru
the masses Of the Arabs as tho
they were seas of corn.
She wheeled her mare round by
Cecil's side.
well struck" The day ia
turned! Charged"
Cigarette saved the day.
When at length she returned.
the soldiers who, but for her,
would have been massacred, lift
ing her on to the shoulders of the
two tallest men among them, bore
her to the presence of the only
officer of high rank who had sur
vived, a chief de battalion of the
zouaves.
And he, a grave and noble
looking veteran, uncovered his
head and bowed before her as
courtiers bow before their queens.
"Mademoiselle, you saved the
honor of France. In the name Of
France, I thank you"
The tears rushed in Cigarettes
bright eyes-tears of Joy, tears Of
pride.
"Chut! did nothing" she said
rapidly. 81 only rode fast"
1.-THE Empire will think other
WISE" said the major of the
zouaves. Tell me, my little one,
how did you do this thing?"
Cigarette, balancing herself
with a foot on either shoulder Of
her supporters, gave the salute,
and answered:
Simply, mon commandant. l
was alone, riding midway between
you and the main army. l met a
colon. He was full Of terror. and
told me there was fighting here
so | rode nearer to see. That was
/ Just upon sunrise. / dismounted,
and ran up a palm there" And
Cigarette pointed to a far-off slope
crowned with the remains of a
once mighty palm forest. II got
up very high. I could see miles
round. For the moment I was
coming straight to you. Then
thought l should do more service
If l let the main army know, and
brought you a reinforcement. Ma
foil 1t was a near thing. II we
had been a minute later, 1t had
been all up with you"
'Mademoiselle, IL all soldiers
were like you," answered the
major OF zouaves, ito command
a battalion would be paradisei"
"All soldiers would do anything
I have DONE" retorted Cigarette.
They do not all get the oppor-
tunity, look you. If you want q
good soldiers, take that beau Vic
tor. Poufl all his officers were
down; and how splendidly he led
the troopl Napoleon"--and Gig
arctic uncovered her curly head
reverentially as at the name OF a
deity" Napoleon would have
given him his brigade ere thisi"
HE will have justice done him,
never fear. And for you-the
Cross shall be on your breast
Cigarette, II I live over tonight