The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-07-27

my wrists, produced the fat bottle, and
drew the cork with my teeth.
excuse me boys" | said, with a
smile; "for taking the first drink, as l
wish to make shure of at least one share
while it is going" and with this | put
the flask to my lips and held it there long
enough to have drank half of it, though
not drop of it went down my throat.
"Oh, come," said one of the men, lay
ing hold of it, Just give fellow trav-
eller one chance, do
He drank to my entire satisfaction,
smacked his lips, and handed it to his
anxious companion, who nobly initiated
his sxample-remarking when done,
with comical leer, as be hauded back
the bottle: "That thar's the stuff for
troHsers."
Just SO J" said l, pretending to drink
again.
In this way the flask vas passed some
two or three times in the course of the
next ten minutes, and then with feeling
of joyful relief, | saw that the last drop
had beeu drained
The effect was not immediate on my
guard bat in short time | noticed tbs,
they began to walk heavily, and then un-
steadily, and then both of them muttered
something about feeling lawful sleepy"
[ initiated their motions, with every
sense alive, and my heart beating fast
with hope. We continued on in this
manner some little distance, and had be-
gun to ascend the opposite hill, at spct
where the bushes grew thick on each side
Of the path, when both came to a halt,
looked with drunken gravity into each
others faces for few moments, aud then
quietly sat down, and almost instantly
fell over IN state of Inconsistencies.
Now was my time, and gathering all
my strength, l gave my irons q tremen-
dous wrench. As they suddenly snap
ped asunder and left NE free, I could
scarcely restraiu loud cry of jey To
drag the two men into the bushes, out Of
sight Of any chance passers, was only the
work of minute. As | still wore the
butternut colored clothes which the guer.
rillas had forced upon me in exchange
for mine, there was no need for further
change Of dress to pass for Confederale e
soldier and securing Z mu>ket, and plenty
Of ammunition, | struck eff through the
bushes TO the right, and hurried away,
over wild country, as fast as fear and
hope could drive me.
Keeping to the fields and the woods,
avoiding all highways, settlements and
even dwellings, | pushed on in a westerly
direction, all day, fortunately without
meeting single person. Just at dark
came to lonely cabin and sadly feeling
the want of food, l ventured to knock at
the door.
Who's thar ?" inquired timid voice.
"a hungry soldier, who has lost his
way" l replied. "For the love of Heav-
en-, give NE something to eat. and l will
90 on and leave you in peace "'
A pale and siokly looking white wo-
man with an infant in her arms, and three
or four children cIiDging to her in fear,
opened the door cautiously, and assured
me that she had nsthing in the house
but some corn-cake, and only a little of
that. / told her to give me what she
could spare, and ahe brought me a piece
about the size of my fist l then repeat
ed that had lost my way, and inquired
for the nearest military taking
good care, after l had left her, to steer
as clear of it as possible
l pushed on in the dark till l came to
a rocky hill, where finding cave. crept
into it and spent the night, resumiug ms
journey at the first streak of light. The
second day, like the first, l managed to
get over e lcng stretch of country with
out being discovered, gradually shaping
my course to the north. That night [ |
spent in tho woods, sleeping in some
bushes, and going supperless to my damp
bed. The next morning, on resuming
my weary tramp, espied several rebel
soldiers, moving about in different direc.
tions, and | became very much alarmed,
fearing they were in search of me, and
did not venture from the wood all day. !
Since leaving the rebel camp had eaten
nothing but the corn cake given me by |
the poor woman, and I DOW felt the pangs
Of hunger most keenly, besides being very
weak for want of food
| could not remain where I was in
safety, and as soon as it became dark !
boldly struck down through the woods
into road, and, setting my face north
ward, hurried forward, regardless of con-
sequences. In the course of FIVE miles
passed several comfortable dwellings, but
[ vas afraid to stop and ask for food. At
last discovered mean shanty standing
\ little of from the road, and | resolved
In try nv lucE there Es oot ovar tho