The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1855-12-12

The following passageis taken from Per-
CIV Blake,'' work which has just been is
sued from the pen of Capt. Rafter
While living IN the trenches before Finish
ing, about an hour before daybreak, one of
our advanced sentinel having discharged his
musket and retired us usual in such eases,
informed Capt. Tompkins that three huge
dark looking objects were seen advancing
from the town. The matter, indeed appeared
Of such serious and pressing emergency, that
Tomkins, without waiting 10 silt the accura-
cv Of his information. instantly sent report
to the division headquarters that three heavy
columns OF infantry were advancing in sortie,
aud the whole line was consequently turned
out. immediate and general action being con
sdcred inevitable.
Fortunately, however, for us poor souls,
who would have been the first victims Of this
..untoward event. it proved to be false
alarm: upon which Gen. Acland, who was
brigadier Of the day, rode out TO the adj
vance posts in % towering passion. lie IN
stantly ordered Capt. Tomkns 20 parade his
piequet in front Of their position, careless OF
the exposure to the enemy, for daylight was
then somewhat advanced. and round shot
from the raInparts of Flushing were flying
about us too thick to be pleasant, attracted,
no doubt, by the ghttering Of the muskets,
which, in those DAYS, were not done brown
Us at present.
Ny readers are aware. from what have al
ready said, that it IL sharp work for the eyes
on outlying picquct, in front Of an active en-
envy. and that the apparition even of sim
gle individual, is apt to draw dozen shots
about his ears. 1t must, therefore, have
been a matter Of great moment that could
induce general officer to expose both him
self and whole platoon to the risk OF
murdcrous fire Tomkins accordingly felt
the critical nature of his position, and even
had some misgivinga about rum-head
court-martial on the spot for his false
alarm. Judge, then, his astonshment, when
General Acland addressed HIM with the ut
most GOODNESS and deliberation III the follow
ing manner
Capt Tomkins, did you ever hear the
story of the three black crows !"
$ Good gracious, sir !" replied the bewil
dered Tomkns, ~ never did,
''Then, sir, tell it you,'' said the Gener-
al, taking pinch Of snuff with all the non
chalance of a hackneyed rdconteur. Once
upon time. Captain Tomkins, sick man
dreamt that he had swallowed black crow
Here an eighteen pound shot from tho
ramparts tore up the earth at the heels Of
| the Generals charger, and went Ticocheting
over the heads of the piquet; but he proceed
ed undisturbed, as follows
STEADY men movement in the ranks.
Though round shot generally kill, 1t isn't al
WAYS sure to hit This sick man, Captain
Tomkins, having told his dream to friend,
that friend told il to another, with this i'm
provement, however, that this poor, dear,
sick friend had actually swallowed a black
crow -
A shell, which followed the eighteen poun-
der, at this moment lodged midway between
me and the General, and partly burying it
self in the earth, exploded with a loud crash,
scattering rocks and rubbish about IN all di-
rrctions.
Stood heavens, sir y cried Tomkins ven
turing to interrupt the story teller, ''there's
II man struck down in the ranks -
/ Swell, sir - exclaimed the mperturbable
| General, ibid you never see u man struck
! down in the ranks before? Let him be car
ried to the rear, sir: and listen, If YOU please
to the sequel of my story. The sick mans
friend, who may be compared To your sentry,
Capt. Iomkins, having told the marvellous
tale of the black crow to a greater fool than
himself, who may be likened, Capt. Tomkins,
to YOU, the latter Immediately magnifed the
wonder into three black crows, with which
he Mortified every one that would listen 10
him. Now, had YOU, Capt. Tomkins, had The
GOODNESS to inquire into this matter, before
YOU had recourse 10 SO serious measure rs
turning ont the whole line, you would have
discovered that the three weighty columns or
black crows which haunted vour Imagination,
were nothing more than two drunken men
and pig The men were made prisoners,
and the pig was shot by a hungry riheman.
You may now turn in your picquet, Capt.
Tomkins, and sincerely hope | may never
have the pleasure of being on duty with YOU
gain, sir"