Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/75

Rh, and which has seldom been done since.

The soldiers had had an early and scanty breakfast when called into action, and so rapid were their various movements that by noon many were faint and hungry. But the provision wagons were miles away, and it looked as if they must continue to fight on empty stomachs, no matter how much they craved food and drink.

With the provision wagons was Sergeant McKinley, and soon word reached him that the boys were hungry and thirsty, and dropping out right and left.

"If you could only give them a can of coffee, they'd be satisfied," said his informer.

"They shall have coffee and other rations too," cried the young commissary sergeant. "Here, help hitch up these mules!"

The provisions were in two wagons, and soon McKinley, aided by several army stragglers, had the mules hitched to these, and the journey to the front began. The way was uncertain, shot and shell flew in all directions, and while one wagon got stuck in a mud-hole, the mules of the other were disabled by the firing. But,