The Colonel saw the charge was hopeless and ordered his men to fire and
fall back fighting. The grey line began to melt into the smoke mists
down the hill and disappeared--all save Ned Vaughan. His eyes were fixed
on that battery when the order to fire was given. He fired and charged
with fixed bayonet alone. He never paused to see how many men were with
him. His mind was set on capturing one of those guns. He reached the
breastworks and looked behind him. There was not a man in sight. A blue
gunner was ramming a cannon. With a savage leap Ned was on the boy,
grabbed him by the neck and rushed down the hill in front of his own gun
before the astounded Commander realized what had happened. When he did
it was too late to fire. They would tear both men to pieces.
The regiment had rallied in the woods at the edge of the field from
which they had first charged.
Ned Vaughan led his prisoner, in bright new uniform of blue, up to the
Colonel and reported.
"A prisoner of war, sir!"
The Colonel took off his hat and gazed at the pair:
"Aren't you the boy who held my horse?"
Ned saluted:
"Yes, sir."
"Then in the name of Almighty God, where did you get that man?"
Ned pointed excitedly to the hilltop:
"Right yonder, sir,--there's plenty more of 'em up there!"
The Colonel scratched his head, looked Ned over from head to heel and
broke into a laugh.
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