Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-01-11

1t in America. I've been thinking all
day, while we marched through the dry,
hot sand, that would give the world 10
lie once more on bed OF green grass.
"lsn't it too FAR q way ?" asked. "You
know we have strict orders not to wander
away from the forces"
"ll's but minutes walk. We could
easily get back, in case of danger"
accompanied him, and we soon
reached the clump OF bushes. The moon
was now up. the night lovely. and the air
balmY as summer.
"Joe," said my companion, doesn't it
seem odd to be away here in Africa, and
to think tnat the same moon that is look
ing down on here among the sparkling
sands, is looking down at the same mo-
ment on our homes in America :"
1T does seem ODD, said.
al wish" he rejoined, "that it were a
looking glass, that We could look up and
see our homes reflected there, and that
our friends could look up and see us.
lonely as we are TO night
"You are growing sentimental, Will,"
remarked.
81 feel sentimental. Something tells
me, Joe. that will never see those
friends again. have been thinking all
day OF my mother aud sisters, and felt
such longing to see them. Don't laugh
at me, Joe; but ieel presentiment
that l will never cross the Atlantic
again"
Nonsense You'll cross II a hundred
times probably. You've only got fit OF
the blues"
tried for loEg time TO reason Will
out OF hiI melancholy humor, but in
vain, aud we finally stretched our tired
limbs among tho bushes and closed our
heavy eyelids.
How long had slept | could not tell.
but it was yet night, and the moon was
still in the SKY, when WAS reused from
dreamloss slumber by some one shaking
me roughly by the shoulder.
"Wako up, Joe ! wake up We are
lefl :" said viii. who was STOPPING over
me.
"What?' | exclaimed .springing to ny
feet.
Were left behind The forces march
ed away in the night, and are not to be
seen. They didn't know We were here
1t might not have been so serious n
matter, and yet could no. help shudder
ing a, hurredly put my accoutrements
on. Indeed it proved TO be serious
matter.
I'VE can ovcrtake them, surely" |
said.
IL don't know. They must have started
long ago, rs they are not 10 sight"
We strained our eyes looking toward
the horizon. but the sandy desert was a
blank. Nothing was to be seen toward
the west; and behind Us, as we struck
out on the trail of the forces, only the
meagre trees and bushes we had left were
in sight.
We had walked fifteen minutes in
silence. when viii. pointing to the south
exclaimed:
"Yonder they are! !"
looked, and deserted dark spot far
away toward the southern horizon.
but what are they doing in that d.
rection ;" said l. THE trail keeps right
on westward"
We stood watching few minutes, and
discovered that the dark body was sp.
preaching us.
Heavens! They're the enemy" /" said
Will. "Let US 60. 1t is run tor life."
With this we struck. out westward
almost at 8 run. casting many an uneasy
glance toward the dark, moving body
that irowned on US from the southern
horizon, and we soon discovered that it
began to move in westerly direction.
They're going to cut US off," eIclsim-
ed viii.
This did seem TO be their object. and
we dashed on with quickened speed.
We had travelled q mile or two, when
we began to make out the shape of the
body. We could see that it was party
OF men. on feet. and that they numbered
about twenty. They were evidently
body of Tripolitans.
They are on foot, and surely cannot
head US off," said.
"If l were such runner as you, Joe.
they could not but TIL never reach the
forces. / am beginning to give out
already, You are fleet-footed, Joe. and
| see you are only staying back for me.
Go-save yourself"
"And desert you? No. indeed!"
In my younger days had practiced
running, and knew that the Tripolitsns
could not have overtaken me alone; but
Will was not as feet of foot, and | saw
that his strength was rapidly failing him.
Let's throw away our accoutrements, :"
said, and set the example by fiinging
of my knapsack, haversack and canteen.
"Hold on to your musket."
Will quickly initiated my example. and
we again pressed forward, just IS faint
shout reached our ears. Our enemies
were not half mile distant
sNo,ro0a now said sThav,ll fail In