Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/119

Rh Hayes continued to ride, waving his sword and urging the men to renewed courage. The soldiers dropped to his right and his left, but he remained untouched, and so did William McKinley, who was likewise doing his best to bring victory out of what looked at times like defeat.

Presently the Twenty-third found itself in a more exposed position than usual. The Confederates were bringing up their artillery, and it looked as if the regiment might be cut down to a man. Something must be done, but what?"

Lieutenant McBride, you will move forward with the men carrying Saxony rifles," ordered Hayes. "Cut down the artillery horses—never mind the riders."

The Saxony rifles were trusty pieces of seventy-one calibre, that could carry twelve hundred yards. On dashed the riflemen, led by the lieutenant mentioned. The fire was concentrated on the horses attached to the first battery, which was rushing along the ridge of the hill. Crack! crack! went the rifles, and down went one horse, followed by another and then another. Instantly there was confusion and