The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-08

led from the black horse and its rider. His
sword circles above his head and sinks, and
then rises crimson to the hilt
But now the combat begins to slacken.
Step, by step the gallant foe gave way--a mo-
ment and the wild route began.
The shrill bugle note recalls his men from
the pursuit and Bartrelle dismounts as his
men peal forth the hoarse huzza for victory.
Yes-a victory; but the dying and the dead
lay all around him. Many of his own men
have fallen-many of the enemy. To all the
tenderest care must be devoted; but the time
is short and haste must answer it.
The wounded are gathered up and sent in
the care of detachments, to the nearest farm
houses; the dead are buried; and now the
bugle calls the men to the column. Nearly
hundred men answered TO its summons; and
the next moment were fling by two's down
the vavine.
Just at this moment q soldier dashed up to
Bartrelle-" Captain, there is boy just come
into the line, who says he wants to speak
with you. J" and the soldier touched his cap in
salute
"Shov him up!"
The next minute he made his appearance
accompanied by slender youth apparently
not more than fifteen years of age. He was
dressed with scrupulous care; and there was
that in his clear olive face, large black eyes
and slender willowy frame, 1.-THE and nervous
as panther's, which proclaimed him no or
binary boy. Bartrelle gazed upon him for
moment with look of perplexity and doubt
and then flush of recognition broke upon
his face. He could scarcely restrain the cry
of surprise that leaped to his mouth; but he
did, and riding forward eagerly extended his
hand and said:
"Why my lad, have you come at last. I
am very glad to see youl Come, ride by side,
for we must be moving, and we can talk as
we go along"
The face of the boy grew radiant at this
salutation; and acquiescing he rode along by
the captains side.
"When did you come from Zera2" asked
Bartrelle in a low eager tone as the march
again commenced.
"From the city, almost direct; but pardon
me, Richard, you must hurry to get away
fIom herel Your delay has given the enemy
time to start large force on your track, and
l saw from the brow of yonder hill battalion
Of cavalry moving in the direction of the ford.
They are doubtless designed to intercept
you"
'Hal is that their camel" and q shade of
anxiety for moment settled on his face.
50 This is bad but will escape them yet
Haiti" and the column stopped.
"Jonesl" addressing fine looking young
man dressed in a deer-skin hunting suit"
SO You and Graham dismount and do a little |
scouting. We must change our route. If we |
90 this road we will get into trouble. We |
must cross the country here and strike the
lp-river road-now strike out and let us pro-
iced, we have no time to lose"
And again the long line resumed its march,
he scouts in advance on foot.
The scouts of a smarching force should
lways go, on foot, whether the main body be
lragoons or infantry. In this manner thew
an take advantage of the ground; and by
'eeping under cover themselves, are enabled
o recoinnoitre the way in advance with more
afety to them, and with greater accuracy than
on horseback. The great danger which
nenaces scout, and the party for whom he
) acting, is in being first seen. The mounted
cout has much greater danger 10 encounter
han the pedestrian, inasmuch as the horse
annot so easily be drawn under cover.
TO be Continued.l