In front of them they saw a
line of their own men lying on the ground behind stones and logs,
shooting at the enemy, whose line could be distinguished hardly more
than a third of a mile away.
"They're nearer than they were," whispered the captain. "We must push
them back or they'll have us. The men on the firing line are getting
scared."
"We must scare them behind more than the enemy does in front," said
Sam, drawing his revolver. "Here you, sir, get back into your place."
A man in the ranks, who was beginning to creep back, saw the revolver
and dropped back in his position with an oath.
"Forward!" cried Sam, now thoroughly in the spirit of the occasion.
"Come up to the front, all of you, and extend our line there to the
right. Lie down and take careful aim with every shot."
The men did as they were told, and Sam took up his position behind the
line with the captain, both of them standing in a perfect gale of
bullets, while all the rest were lying down.
"Lie down," said Sam to the captain. "You've no business to risk your
life like that."
"How about yours, sir?" said the captain, as he obeyed.
"I'll take care of myself, if you'll be good enough to let me,"
answered Sam.
The presence of a staff officer gave new courage to the men, and their
marksmanship began to have effect on the enemy, who were seen to be
gradually falling back.
Pages:
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132