Nebraska advertiser., 1864-04-07


ing showers of bullets about the person
Of The daring sharpshooter. The mex
moment large body of armed men IS
sued forth, when Tom deemed il expedi-
ent to fall back apon the rendezvous Of
his companions.
For some reason or other, which the
green-jaclseis could not then understand,
the rebels did not attempt charge upon
this OCCASION, contenting themselves with
an exchange Of shots, which resulted in
the loss Of few men on both sides
After the expiration Of few hours the
enemy withdrew TO the forlificalion. from
which they kept up desultory fire with
some of their heavy pieces.
1t was about twelve o'clock when Tom
B, having been relieved by his
friends, left the place for the purpose of
seeking some spot where he could obtain
the repose With his previous exeruons
rendered necessary. He did not care to
return to The camp that night, as the way
was long and tedious; besides being
guarded by sentinels whose troublesome
challenges he did not wish to encounter.
A short walk carried him to the bank
Of The York river, where a small skiff,
lying upon the beach. seemed to invite
him to make ii his lodging for the night.
| Peering into the boat, and perceiving
that it was dry, the sharpshooter pro-
eeeded to make his bed-a very simple
ngement-consisiing of blanket and
an overcoat. There were two paddles
in Tie bow, which, with the help of his
cartridge box and cap Tom soon convert
ed. Then. with his valuable rife by his
side, well sheltered from The dew by the
folds of his blanket, he extended himself
npon his luxurious couch and was soon
buried In deep slumber, which must
have lasted many hours, for when he
awoke he could perceive that the sky
above him was tinged with the beams of
the rising sun. The next moment he
became sensible of a rocking motion
which pervaded the boat, while low,
ripping murmer saluted his ears. He
raised himseli upon his elbow, and an
exclamation of surprise escaped him,
The skiff was adrift in the river, and but
few hundred yards from the heights of
Y orkiown. He could see the dark guns
hristling over The rarapets of the forif-
cations, and also the rebel senlnels as
they walked 10 and fro, with their bayo-
nets glis,ening in The sunlight, while
still higher up, fastened to tall staff,
be beheld the folds of the traitor flag
aultering in The wind.
He thought ne could Distinguish a low
murmnr Of voice, lningling with the
creaking Of wheels and the tramping of
many feet, as though the rebels were en-
gagged in secret preparations, though for
what purpose he was puzzled to deter
mine.
These noises however suddenl j ceased,
and while Tom was trying to account fer
the Circumstance he saw dark body
shoot upwards above tops of the trees in
the distance, and continue to ascend ma
Jestically through the realms of space 1t
was The Federal balloon.
'.Ho! no Johnny Reb, I" he n.nttered,
'.llla, balloon has had the wonderful ef-
ferl Of silencing you, I'd give something
big TO know what you are about, only |
can't stop TO visit you at present. Your
internal Iides have played ME fine trick,
stealing a march upon me while | was
asleep, and carrying me under The very
noses Of your guns us a decidedly
tickli.h position I'm in, so | must get of
il as quickly as l can. GoOd-by, Johnny
Grayback 30
While thus muttering to himself, he
had been engaged in loading his rife, ard
The task being now completed. he seized
paddle and commenced to ply it with
vigorous strokes, keeping the head of the
boat pointed 10 the direction of the side
Of the shore occupied by the Federals,
which was about three miles from his
present position.
Scarcely had his paddle touched the
water, however, when the report of
dozen rifles coming from the shore upon
his right, announced that he had been
discovered by the pickets of the enemy,
who were stationed along the bank.
Missed your man, that tirne," cody
mutlered the shaTpsLooter, as the bolleis
whislled over his head, and he continued
to ply the paddles with steady strokes.
The rascals are loading again." he ad-
ded, glancing quietly toward the spot
where the rebels showed themselves up
on The edge of the bank.
The next moment there was another
crash of musketry, and a second storm
of h,,ua,s aa,,, aro,,Dd hie baad While