American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-11-30

tenant had given MIN MS cnOlce, anu
, had decided to be shot to death.
While these preparations were beil
made, the doctor was guarded by sing
sentinel, who appeared to regard him wi
commiseratiOn.
"Its pretty hard, sir, know, he said
"But Lieutenant Sharp's orders are vel
strict. I'm certain he hates the job,
bad as l would; but its as much as h
own neck's worth to letyou off,"
SIS he Mississippian?
"Yes. sir, replied the man. 'sWhy d
you ask ?-Do you think you ever kne
him ~
mo never saw him before. "Butm
friend will you do me the favor to cal
your officer.
Certainly, sir"
him to saw to the Lieutenant. that tn
prisoner wished to speak with him a me
| ment.
The Officer came" Well. my friend,
said he, '.what can do for you?''
sIs your name Sharp?" asked Watson
"Yes, that's my name"
Formerly of Benton, Yazoo County,
persisted the doctor.
Eyes. when at home, l live in Yazo
County,
"Are you the son of John B. Sharp,
cotton planter in that county?''
''Yes but why do you ask these ques
tiorsY'
because 1 think I know your father
Was he a captain in the first Mississippi
Rifles, under command of Colonel JEFF
Davis, in Mexico?"
eyes, he was"
''Did he not receive nine different
wounds at the battle of Buena Vista?'
continued the doctor.
Eyes. SIR" replied the lieutenant now,
for the first time, showing an interest ir
Watson's questions. "My father was Sc.
verely wounded in that battle. Fol
weeks, he told me, he lay balancing be-
tween life and death in the hospital al
Saltillo. and but for tire skill and kind.
ness of the surgeon in charge of him, he
never would have reached home"
swell, lieutenant" answered the Doc
tor, 81 was his surgeon! 1 picked him
up upon the field, after some of his COM
pany had rescued hiul-shot. lanced and
bruised by the enemy-and bore him to
the rear; and afterwards dressed his
wounds and attended him, till well enough
my God, sir! What is your name ?''
the officer, now much excited.
'sWatson.''
doctor Watson! Give me your hand
sir! I've heard my father speak of you a
thousand times,' and grasping the Doc
tors hand, the young man expressed the
utmost surprise and cordially. ''DOctor,
I'm glad to know you, but wish I'd never
seen you, at least as prisoner. But you
receive at my hands, none but the kind
est treatment"
''Then I'm not to chOked to death by
a grape vine," said the Doctor, laughing :;
for he was satisfied he had found a friend
in the young man, and there was decid-
ed improvement in his prospects.
mo sir. Not by me. But I'm very
sorry, Doctor, my men happened to take
you. So kind 4 friend Of my fathers,
however, is safe while with me /; but l re-
yret to say that fear it will not he well
tor you when turn you over to Col. Rod
lie. who is my SUPERIOR"
'.But, Lieutenant, - replied the Doctor
why turn me over to the tender mer-
lies of that manr' What if l should
make my escape, and get inside the
Union lines once mOre?'
He said this to sound his captOr, think
ng it possible that in consideration of his
feelings to one who had been
riend to his father, the officer might be
disposed to relax his watchfulness, and
hus give him chance to get away:
The young man understood the
lint. ''No, no, Doctor. While
vou are my, prisoner, you shall
)c dcdtCu Win ICSpcCI, Dut uiucO
10 my duty as soldier. l shall
eel under honor bound to keep a watch
III guard over yen, unless you will give
ne your parole not to escape"
81 cannot do that" replied the Doctor.
Il shall most certainly escape if possible"
81 certainly should not blame you,
Doctor. I'm sure L should do the same,
lnder similar circumstances - and, con-
inued the Lieutenant, looking about to see
haf ha NOT nhSarvaI hy his mon and
peaking in low tone of voice, . wish
o return your money. Here it is, but
lOn't let the men suspect that you have it,
1t was now about the midale of the day,
nd the guerrillas were. preparing their
timers. Watson was invited to join the
and having his appetite sharp
ned by his ride, and the new turn in his
prospects. he managed to stow away his
hare of the ratiOns.
Shortly after dinner, the bugle sounded
boots and saddles,'' and the party took
Ip their line of march, in sOutherly di-
ection.
Watson was furnished with horse. his
WI saddle having been stripped from his
lead horse, and restored to him, and ri
ling by the side of the Lieutenant, at the
ead of the column, was treated by that
fficer more as guest than a prisoner.
At night the two slept by the same
amp-fire. Indeed the guerrilla shared
is blankets with the Doctor, and endeav-
red in every way to make his situation
S agreeable to him as possible.
The prisoner observed everything about |
i'm, intending if an opportunity present |
d to attempt an escape. But this night |
strong guard was placed about the
amp, and sentinel posted also near his |
re.
During the afternoon, he l ad noticed |
hat the Orderly Sergeant was mounted |
n a splendid blood bay mare. She was a |
eautiful creature, and had all the fine |
oints of thoroughbred.
'' If could get possession of that ami
,al' thought the Doctor, . and had a
tile the start, I'd defy anything else
here is in the company to prevent my re-
urn to the Union lines.''
He lay awake good part of the night,
however, to sleep; but the
yatchful eye of his sentinel was continu-
lily upon him, and, towards morning,
eeing no chance to escape, he resigned
imself to sleep, and rested well till
oused by the bugle call for breakfast.
.isurely along, stopping several times at
LIMITATIONS along the road, to feed their
Orses. and procure supplies for the men.
he Lieutenant and his prisoner dined at
he house of friend of the former.
That night, being so far from the IN
IN lines, the Lieutenant did not deem it
ecessary to post guard about camp,
nd the guerrillas after partaking of an
bundant supper, were soon sound asleep.
he Doctor and his friendly captor again
coupled the same blankets, and also
ielded to the drowsy god. At least, one
Tould have supposed so, from the sounds
nat proceeded from their blankets. No
oubt the Lieutenant had departed to the
md of dreams; but the prisoner may
-. ~ ri
leep.
He had carefully watched the proceed