The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1880-04-09

much distressed and insisted that | should
postpone my journey for one day at least
as he had many things about which he de
sired to consult me. At his urgent request
consented and the day was passed in ex
aiming the different leads and shafts that
were to make millioniares of us all. | for
got my forebodings of the morning in his
genial company, aud could imagine apple
of silver brick half as high as our abdobt
dwelling, as the result of the neXtG few
months work; but again the morning broke
clear and bright, and found thatthe fears OF
the day before had returned with redoubled
force; | wrung my cousins hand as | sprung
into my saddle and said to him that if he
found my body on the trail without scalp
that he had better look carefully around
the neighborhood for some dead Indians as
I intended to sell my life as dearly as pos
sible, for this was the source from which |
finally located my danger.
Out into the plain rode following the
trail to the Fort, but looking longingly
back to our comfortable quarters, until the
sweeping lope of my mustang had taken
me far out into the sterile sea; the build
ings on the mountain side had disappeared
and the bleak rocks looked frowningly
down at me, the only human on the trail.
Ny fears were strong upon me; each
mesquite or cactus bush or every boulder
within rifle range of the road was closely
scrutinized for expected every moment to
see puff of white smoke curl out from
the muzzle of rifle, or to hear the hiss of a
bullet, bent on its errand of death"
But nothing occurred to stifle me, my
was throwing the miles from his
heels, as only horses of his breed can
in that warm climate; and now that was
the Fort, my fears and fore
holdings disappeared and the reaction came
on. | thought of the many warm friends
that had left in the states; though of
the war that was then brewing-I thought
of pair of bright eyes that had pre-
tended, at least, to love me, and finally my
feelings eliminated in music, and | started
the Jack Rabbits with such roundelays
as made them scamper off into the broom
sage at tightening speed A pra-
RE wolf would occasionally eye
me as ! came at respectable rifle range and
would then trot off as though he
deemed my songs as suitable only tor anna
teurs and considered himself a profession
al. At last began to trace the outlines Of
the fort, and later could see the "old flag"
which "old Dick" was so soon to abandon,
hanging lazily by the staff, as though il re-
turned thanks to the breeze for being
equally as idle as itself.
"The sentinel came to present as | rode
into the fort, and soon l was among my
friends giving and receiving cheerful
greeting.
"The commissary was as kind and oblig-
ing as usual, and promised to have my
wagon loaded for | was to secure two men
and a wagon and team of mules to tran.
sport my supplies by the time had dined
with Capt. Ewell, who had done me the
honor Of extending an invitation.
"My gallant host seemed to think Of lit
tie else than the war-cloud that was gather
ing over the nation, and was deeply dis
tressed at the prospect of the fratricidal
strife. He loved his country; to her he
was indebted for his martial training; but
he loved his family his friends, and above
all, the "old commonwealth MORE; for
was he not a son Of ''the mother of states
and statesmen?' He did not think at that
time that Virginia would link her destiny
with the south, and he expressed his inten-
ton Of paying visit to a maiden sister in
the "old Dominion" in case Of hostiliues,
and then away to France; being unwilling
to lend his sword to either side in the i'm
pending struggle.
"Poor Dick can see his bald head now
and the look Of pain that came into his
eyes as we discussed the prospects of the
future, little did he think as he sat in his
quarters at Fort Buchanan, far away from
civilization, that the God of battles
had destined him to be a
central figure Of one the most san
culinary struggles of modern times; for his
name will go pown to future ages linked
with that OF "Stonewall Jackson and his
foot cavalry"
DINNER over and the suns rays being
robbed Of some Of their fire by the APP
preaching evening babe farewell to my
hospitable friends and followed again the
trail that had brought me into the Fort.
My teamsters were good natured frontiers.
mon rpadv for finn fuht or worl, onl wv