He started blindly through the grass.
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he youth turned once to look at the lashing riders andjouncing guns of the battery. He was startled from this view by ashrill outcry from the tattered man. “Gawd! He’s runnin’!” Turning his head swiftly, the youth saw his friend running ina staggering and stumbling way toward a little clump of bushes.His heart seemed to wrench itself almost free from his body atthis sight. He made a noise of pain. He and the tattered manbegan a pursuit. There was a singular race. When he overtook the tall soldier he began to plead with allthe words he could find. “Jim—Jim—what are you doing—whatmakes you do this way—you ’Il hurt yerself.” The same purpose was in the tall soldier’s face. He protestedin a dulled way, keeping his eyes fastened on the mystic place ofhis intentions. “No—no—don’t tech me—leave me be—leave mebe—” The youth, aghast and filled with wonder at the tall soldier,began quaveringly to question him. “Where yeh goin’, Jim? Whatyou thinking about? Where you going? Tell me, won’t you, Jim?” The tall soldier faced about as upon relentless pursuers. Inhis eyes there was a great appeal. “Leave me be, can’t yeh? Leaveme be fer a minnit.” The youth recoiled. “Why, Jim,” he said, in a dazed way,“what’s the matter with you?” The tall soldier turned and, lurching dangerously, went on.The youth and the tattered soldier followed, sneaking as ifwhipped, feeling unable to face the stricken man if he shouldagain confront them. They began to have thoughts of a solemnceremony. There was something rite-like in these movements ofthe doomed soldier. And there was a resemblance in him to adevotee of a mad religion, blood-sucking, muscle-wrenching,bone-crushing. They were awed and afraid. They hung back lesthe have at command a dreadful weapon. At last, they saw him stop and stand motionless. Hasteningup, they perceived that his face wore an expression telling thathe had at last found the place for which he had struggled. Hisspare figure was erect; his bloody hands were quietly at his side.He was waiting with patience for something that he had come tomeet. He was at the rendezvous. They paused and stood,expectant.
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