29 Capturing the Flag

CHAPTER 29 Capturing the Flag Henry pushed forward with all his strength. He couldn't see anything except the smoke, but he knew that the old fence was there. It must have belonged to a farmer once, but now it belonged to the enemy soldiers. As he ran, the thought of the final contact between his troop and the enemy sparkled in his mind. He expected an explosion when the two bodies of troops crashed together. It made him run faster than his friends, who were giving hoarse and frantic cheers.

But soon he could see that many of the enemy soldiers were not going to stay for the fight. As the smoke moved, Henry saw enemy men running away. Some of them turned back often to fire at Henry's troop before continuing to flee. But at one part of the enemy line, there was a grim and determined group who did not move. They were settled firmly down behind the fence. A flag, ruffled and fierce, waved over them. Henry's troop got closer and closer, until the two groups of soldiers could yell to each other. The cries of the two parties were now an exchange of insults. The space between them decreased almost to nothing. Henry focused his gaze on the enemy flag. He wanted it more than anything else. He charged like a mad horse at it. His own flag shook as it approached the other. Henry's troop came to a sudden halt at

close range and fired a swift volley of bullets. The enemy split and broke up, but they still fought. Henry's troop yelled again and rushed in. Henry saw some of the enemy men fighting to the very end. One of them carried the flag. It was a horrible battle. With a dark and grim expression, the enemy flag-bearer hugged the flag even as he stumbled and fell down. His wounds made it seem as if his steps were being held back by invisible creatures who grabbed his legs. He looked so upset as the swirling blue line leaped at the fence. Wilson went over the fence and sprang at the flag like a panther at its prey. He pulled at it and, yanking it free, swung it up with a mad cry of excitement as the enemy flag- bearer fell to the ground. Henry's troop began to cheer wildly. The fight for the little hill was over! Afterward, four of the enemy soldiers were

held and questioned as prisoners. One of them had an injured foot, and he yelled and cursed at the men in blue. Another was very young, and talked calmly with Henry's friends. They talked of battles and conditions. The third prisoner sat with a sad expression. He would only tell the men in blue to go to the devil. The last prisoner was always silent, and kept his face turned away from the others. He seemed to be deeply ashamed. After the men in blue had celebrated enough, they settled down behind the fence, on the opposite side to the one where the enemy had been. There was some long grass. Henry lay in it and rested. Wilson, joyful and full of glory, walked over to Henry with the enemy flag. They lay side by side and congratulated each other.