Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/109

Rh could gain the shelter of an orchard where the West Virginia regiment continued to blaze away desperately.

It was a ride as wonderful as it was daring. With all those shots aimed at him he was not even touched, outside of a scratch on the hand, received from a rail splinter when a shell struck the fence his steed was leaping. Straight into the orchard dashed horse and rider, and panting for breath McKinley halted before the colonel and saluted.

"Colonel, you are ordered to retreat," he said.

"Retreat?" repeated the higher officer.

"Yes, sir. General Hayes just sent me over. You should have had the word before. You are fighting without support."

There was no time to say more. The Confederates were hemming in the stricken regiment on all sides, and the bullets were flying thickly everywhere. Without delay the retreat was sounded. Many of the under-officers and the men were completely bewildered and knew not what to do.

"This way!" shouted McKinley to a body who were fleeing directly toward the