The National tribune., 1881-08-20

his co-sufferer remained silent They could not
well do otherwise for having taken a header as
they went down it took few moments to clear
away the slime and water they had invOluntarily
shipped.
When all had grown still they began wading
cautiously along, the water oftentimes rising to
their waists, and continued until they had as
they supposed, passed the point where the picket
was stationed "Ill be id if l am going to
PLAY MUD TURTLE
any longer" whispered Toms companion "Tm
yer mon for dhry land and a wet stomach re-
sponded Tom and both, in the darkness began
cropping for the pathway which had been so re-
Gently abandoned. They had barely succeeded
in reaching it when the rain commenced to fall
in torrents, accompanied by binding flashes of
lightning and heavy peals of thunder.
Before they had progressed dozen yards an
other sentry challenged them, and, without wait
ing for a reply, fired his musket "Howly Moses,
but the woods is full ov the craychurs," groaned
Tom, as they both took water for the second time ;
not, however, before flash of lightning had re-
vealed to them the figure of the man who had thus
unceremoniously treated them. The shot had the
effect of stirring up the other pickets within
sound, and for few minutes it appeared as if
the whole Confederate Army was bivouacked in
and about the swamp. Presently an officer
came down, called out to the Over-hasty son of
Mars, approached him, and after ascertaining
what little he had to relate, administered good
cursing and departed toward the roadway.
Once more save for the falling rain and rolling
thunder, quiet brooded over all, and Tom started
al col ~ L IL
this time, however, keeping to the swamp as the
safest course. Stumbling over logs, falling over
branches of trees, slipping, sliding, and doing
some tall talking in low voice by the way, they
travelled two hours or more, at the end of which
time they again reached terra frma. But trouble
was not yet over. AS Tom stepped up out of the
swamp his foot slipped and back he fell with
tremendous splash
BANG. BANG! BANG!
went three rifles in succession, while harsh
voice roared out, few seconds after, Who the
h-ll comes there?"
Of course, nobody answered an inquiry couched
in such language. 1t was some minutes before
any further movement was made, but at length,
after getting their breath, the two once more
entered the swamp resolved to 60 through
before daylight, or turn frogs entirely They
were unable to determine whether the last chal-
lenge had been delivered by friend or foe, and
therefore resolved to keep straight ahead, believ-
ing that by so doing they could not well 90
amiss.
Presently they heard the approach of squad
of men in their front. Crouching down so that
they might not be revealed by the lightning,
they listened and to their great joy discovered
that the comers were friends not enemies.
Making themselves known, they were furnished
the countersign piloted to thejnner line of Union
pickets, and from thence ordered to report to
headquarters. 1t was noon before they rejOined
their regiment, and several days before, aided by
comissary," they succeeded in getting the taste
Of the villainous swamps out of their mouths