Chapter 31: Hold the Wall
Dib and Tak stood side by side, watching the approach of the enemy army. Shells rained down into them, and still they kept coming. A wall of gray, flags flying high as they advanced closer and closer. The rebels were to the fence now, and the two watched breathlessly as they made it over the fence, the explosions and cannonballs tearing holes in their neat ranks.
"It's impossible…" Tak whispered. "It's…nobody…"
"They are, Tak." Dib whispered back. "They're coming, and we're gonna have to fight them."
"I know." Tak replied slowly, watching the enemy advance through the devastating fire.
"We're going to die…aren't we, Tak?" Dib asked. Tak noticed that there was no fear in the boy's voice as he asked the question. She glanced over at him. His eyes were locked on the approaching army, his face showing nothing short of determination. She smiled a little. He had become a soldier. He had become a man. Her man, and she loved him all the more.
"Yeah, probably." She replied. They met eyes. She smiled mischievously. Dib gave a wry grin.
"At least we're gonna die together." Dib said.
"And we won't make it easy on them." Tak replied.
"Nope."
"Young soldiers!" Hancock called. They turned to their commander, who still sat upon his horse like a painted general. "To the wall. They're coming and by God we're going to meet them! Help protect the wall by Cushing's Battery."
"Yes sir!" The two replied, saluting.
"Good. I hope to see you after the battle." He rode off again, giving orders down the line. Dib and Tak found themselves a spot behind the low stone wall, just off to the left of the last gun in the line of four cannons under the command of Lieutenant Cushing, cannons that were firing as fast as the cannoneers could load them. Cushing himself paced back and forth behind the guns, shouting orders.
"Canister! They're in canister range, give them the canister! Grape! For God's sake, pour it on them boys!" Cushing screamed, his sword in hand as he impatiently paced. They knelt down behind the small barrier and checked their weapons. They looked back at the field. The rebels were closer. They were coming all right, and Dib and Tak were ready for them. The enemy were firing an occasional shell onto the ridge, and one of these burst near Dib and Tak's position. They instinctively cringed, and dirt rained down on them. When they looked back, Lt. Cushing was laying on the ground. Several of his men were gathered around him. Tak hurried over.
"Lieutenant Cushing sir!" Tak cried out. He sat up, bleeding a bit from his right leg.
"Ah…young lady." He replied. He cleared his throat and shook off the dirt. "Just scraped me, that's all. Help me up, boys." The men helped Cushing to his feet. "Keep firing!" He commanded. "Keep it hot! I don't want to see any guns silent!"
"We're starting to run low on ammunition, sir!" A sergeant reported.
"Load anything. Shell, shot, solid. Keep them hot!" Cushing replied. He turned back to Tak. "I'm alright, young lady. You should get back to the wall." Tak nodded and ran back to the wall. The enemy was now within a couple hundred yards. She could begin to make out the color of their uniforms, the bayonets on their rifles, and the colorful battle flags. She cocked her rifle, and Dib did the same.
"I love you, Tak." Dib said.
"I love you, Dib." She replied. "You ready?"
"Do I have a choice?" Dib asked cynically. Tak smiled. She lay her rifle on the wall and sighted in on the approaching host. This was it.