Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1867-02-02

1t was dark now the great trees o.
either side of the road casting thei
shadows on my path rendered every
thing black, so that l could not Sc
far before me. / had to trust entirel
to my horse, who still kept up the sam
steady pace, though every now and thel
he dashed into some muddy water hol
or sank deep into the slush which la,
on the road. Only five miles more anC
we shall be at the station midway be
tween Cairo and our lines. A regimen
of our fellows was there, and if | coulc
arrive at that post l felt comparatively
safe for the remainder of the journey
Hit, by Jove! No. it is only fake o
mud in my face; but bark there is ;
noise in front. -e- st..
SNOW for it. Punch p and away We
go again, and take the precaution to
have my revolver ready for instant use
There is little sparkling something by
the roadside away ahead; my horse
SHES and springs to the opposite side
click, and l see long bright barrel.
Down goes my pistol, and almost at the
same instant two shots are heard, ring
ing and echoing again and again thro'
the tall trees. A rifle ball has just
struck my saber, but never mind that,
for as look round I hear my enemy's
gun drop to the ground, and a cry, as
of pain tells me my aim was the best
So | pull up again, ard as [ do SO,
Punch gives snort of delight as much
as to say "You and l have done it this
time;' and then another long stretch
of ground is covered. "But softly boy,
softly the beggars are about again re-
serve yourself for the rush; there is
more than one, my lad, and you know
that have to depend on you as much
as myself.' Softly it was; but still we
we're getting nearer and nearer, and |
heard the word of command
shoulder arms steady, men! let
them once come right up;" and pres
emily came the challenge: "Who goes
there 2" ...
"Friend."
"Advance, friend, and give the coun-
tersign.''
"Fort HenryW
"Right, Harry, right!!' CHEEKY voice
exclaimed, which instantly recognized
as that of Bob Downs, O. an Indiana
regiment.
"Old Clifford told us to keep sharp
look out for you, and when we heard
somebody popping away l feared that
they had popped you. Our lines are
only mile away; you'll be safe there,
but the heathens are swarming On the
other side" Very nice information
for one who bad been fattering himself
that the worsi was past But here are
our pickets; they know I am coming
so hasty challenge and have passed
them. Now l see the white tents of
the infantry, and in moment [ am off
my horse and at headquarters. The
colonel is up and brings me some BRAN
dy neat, whilst my horse stands painting
as one orderly rubs his legs and another
operates on his body. ..
"Another horse, sergeant ?" says the
colonel. "No, for know the one am
riding; he has ever been faithful and
will remain so as long as there is life in
him." So they give him some cruel
and 1 start once more. 1t is 10,40 ?.
M.-ffteen miles in an hour and twen-
ty-fve minutes, including stoppage.
"Take care," says the colonel, when
1 am mounted, "Jeff.'s men are about,
and as near as i can guess six
or seven miles away, and the devils will
wing you if they cam
But l hardly stay to hear his last re-
mark as l canter off again, slowly pass
ing the thin line of tents, and then
through the streets of the little town,
wakening the people from their first
sleep by the clatter of my horses hoofs
and the jiugling of my saber. A sentry
challenges me. "All right and kind
"good night" and once more l am out
in the darkness There are the advance
pickets; the officer halts me and tells
me that three or four times be has heard
horses about, but for the last half hour
all has been still, so he presumes that
the rascals have left the main road, and
made for the farming districts in search
of any of our oraging parties they may
pick up. A road through the woods
runs parallel with mine for several miles
and at a distance of only half a mile
apart. 1t led right away to the farms,
and along this probably the rebels had
gone. If such was the case, | knew
that from the speed | was riding, |
should have to pass them; so | again
took the turf by the roadside lest they
should hear me. Two or three times [
Id have smoke, but then
their quick sight light detect the light.
So put it off until l got into camp.
Nobly did the little horse keep on
DIG, dig, went his soft feet in the soft
turf-on we swept by the tall trees,
leaving them far behind in the black
darkness of the night. Hark there is
on my rIght-bah 1t Is but
a rabbit, or some animal frightened by
my approach, ,[...
But what is that sound in the woods?
1t is the murmur of voices and they are
getting nearer and nearer with every
step | take, and now l know from the
peculiar rumble which soldiers can soon
detect, that there are cavalry about,
and on my right. ''They must be in
the old road,' thought. "Steady,
Punch. steady! They are away ahead
On the turf, boy. Easy! we shall !, ~ pass as