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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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up and heave a deep breath. None of the men's faces were mirrors of large thoughts. The sol- diers were bended and stooped like sprinters be- fore a signal. Many pairs of glinting eyes peered from the grimy faces toward the curtains of the deeper woods. They seemed to be engaged in deep calculations of time and distance. They were surrounded by the noises of the monstrous altercation between the two armies. The world was fully interested in other matters. Apparently, the regiment had its small affair to itself. The youth, turning, shot a quick, inquiring glance at his friend. The latter returned to him the same manner of look. They were the only ones who possessed an inner knowledge. "Mule drivers--hell t' pay--don't believe many will get back." It was an ironical secret. Still, they saw no hesitation in each other's faces, and they nod- ded a mute and unprotesting assent when a shag- gy man near them said in a meek voice: "We'll git swallowed." CHAPTER XIX. THE youth stared at the land in front of him. Its foliages now seemed to veil powers and hor- rors. He was unaware of the machinery of orders that started the charge, although from the cor- ners of his eyes he saw an officer, who looked like a boy a-horseback, come galloping, waving his hat. Suddenly he felt a straining and heaving among the men. The line fell slowly forward like a toppling wall, and, with a convulsive gasp that was intended for a cheer, the regiment began its journey. The youth was pushed and jostled for a moment before he understood the move- ment at all, but directly he lunged ahead and began to run. |
