Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-07-05

found there a canoe moored to a tree
Here we dismounted, hitched ou1
horses to the trees, and sat down
waiting for orders, our officer keep
ing long way off from his men. II
got quite dark, and very heavy fog
settled upon the Mississippi, SO that
a boat could not be seen from the op
posite shore any distance from the
land.
A long time we waited, until
grew SO impatient that, putting a bold
face ON the matter, l went up to ou1
commander and asked him when we
had better cross.
al don't feel very well, sergeant,
he said, "I think that l hurt myself
on the ride down. We ought to be
off noww
Looking him very hard in the face
l saw that he was as pale as a sheet
so l said. "You are right, sir; you
are very ill and unfit to cross. can
let you know everything that passes
and you can report from our &C
counts"
"Thak you," he said, very hum
bly,; l am hardly equal for the work
but still l will go with you"
He was trembling violently, and ]
knew that he was afraid; but then
if he would 60, and knew the danger
and was willing to enter upon the
risk, it would be a triumph over him
self. He is brave man, thought
who feels the danger and encounters
it. So pitied rather than scorned
him as | had done before, and we al
once set about getting our canoe
ready. None of US felt very hopeful
as to the success of our trip. What
pity it was that Lieutenant Roberts
was not of our party
Three times has the brave fellow
crossed the stream to spike the guns
and on the third was shot in the at
tempt. A gallant young soldier he
was, and worthy of better fate
Softly we put out of the little creel
in the main stream. How quietly
Scott used the paddle.
"Turn her bow a little up" I said
fortunately knowing the exact posi-
tion of "Rebs," and not hesitating tt
give orders, now saw that our lieu
tenant was at a loss to know what tt
do, and was every moment looking
more death like in appearance
Steady, Scott What is that darl
object in front? Back for your life
my boy, and then upwards again, fol
it is Confederate gunboat. t."
Back we go, and then up once more
in time to escape observation, for We
were so near to her that we coulC
hear one of the watch walking OF
deck. Now for it-right across
The current is very strong, and il
spite of our efforts it carries US dow
a long way. THERE'S the shore-th'
trees come close down to the water
edge, a capital place for US to haul ou
canoe up." "Look to your revolvers
boys; follow me; and then we jump
ed on land very quietly. Hark
there is some one about. A chaI
lenge! 1t is only the relief Th
rebels have a picket little wa,
down, and are changing guard.
"Down, every one of you, and no
a word out of your mouths"
For a long time we lay quite still
and then, as not a sound was to b
heard, we commenced our march Of
hands and knees. A little to our lef
is the main road, on which the Cor
federates are somewhere stationed
So we keep close to the waterside.
ave are lostp' | whispered t
Robinson who was close to me, as
touched something that moved, an
felt the body OF man; but Robin
son was on him, and his hand owe
his mouth in an instant. "All right
only a niger, as scared as the devil,
he says. "Out with your handkel
chief, for we must save the rope fo
worthier game; one over his moutf
another round his arms and then
third round his legs" Better lie
US have another" says Tom; "where'
the Lieutenant ?" But there is n
lieutenant to be found.
"Never mind, we will do bette
without the fool" says Scott: tn
niger makes signs as though he want
ed to speak; we may as well let hin
only if he says a word above a whis
per, tell him you will put a bal
through his thick head" He tells u
that he is runaway, and that h
, knows we are Massa Lincoln's mer
and will show us the position. as
he shall, but we must not trust hir
one inch out of our sight. Keep tn
handkerchief over his mouth lest b
should betray us"
So he crawls along by my side fo
J some yards, and then motions for m
to stop-just in time, too, for | hea
( a sentry on the top of the bank, an
r l can smell the tobacco that he
t smoking in spite of regulations
) "Lie low a second-we must hav
: him, or else We can never get up t
the fort" So Robinson, creeps to th
' right of him and Scott to the LET
/ whilst the niger and myself quietl
: wait to see the effect of the maneuvel
Ten minutes or so pass away. | ca
i hear the boys now on either side o
him. The sentry stops; there goe
t his gun a-port arms.
: "Who goes there?" he says.
e "Oficer of the day." Robinso
!. answers; whilst Scott is creeping nea
/ to him on the other side.