28 The Other Side of the Fence

CHAPTER 28 The Other Side of the Fence The colonel came running along the back of the line, with other officers following him. "We must charge them!" they shouted. "We must charge them!" When he heard this, Henry began to study the distance between him and the enemy. He knew that his troop would have to go forward if they were going to be good soldiers. It would be death to stay where they were. Their only hope was to push the enemy away from the fence where they were

hiding. He thought his companions would be too tired to charge, and they would have to be encouraged. But when he turned to look at them, he saw with surprise that they were giving quick and sure expressions of agreement. When the command came, the soldiers sprang forward in eager leaps. There was a new and unexpected force in their movements. They knew they were tired, and the energy of this charge was like the strength that comes just before the end. The men ran in an insane fever. It was a blind rush over a green field and under and blue sky toward a fence dimly outlined in smoke. Behind the fence, the enemy was shooting right at them. Henry kept the flag at the front. He was waving his free arm in great circles and yelling. He tried to urge on his friends, but they didn't seem to need it. The men had

grown wild with enthusiasm. Henry also felt a daring spirit, and was ready to make huge sacrifices. He had no time to think, but he knew that the enemy bullets were the only things that might keep him from reaching his goal.