, 1883-07-14

speak his errand without restraint,
as all present were tried servants of
the Union
Captain, reckon as it amt much
use for me to be II lynn out in the
bush, a hOverin' around the rebel
camp, apickin' up information, for
which you pay about as much atten-
tentiOn to as the Clatter Of a wood
pecker on hickory limb. Remem-
ber that two days ago reported that
'Grudor was a stirrin' like a hornets
nest and he would be on top of ye
when he was least looked for. You
saltwater fellers don't know much
about the bush, and couldn't tell the
trail of a moerasin track from a San
Antonio bull. You think its all
right as long as you have your pipin'
and whistlin' goln' on, but you may
pipe on the wrong side Of your
mouth. Yer big guns and pesky
shells do n heap Of work, but look
out that the rebels don't find way
to double on your tracks. They
mean mischief. They are up to
sOmetin,' l kin tell you that, and it
will come afore long. Ihavc warned
ye, but nothin' has been done. All
Bolivar Bill has got to do is to look
after his own scalp lie has done
his duty by all. No, no, thank ye
kindly no liquor for me. Ishall be
in the swamp agin inside Of an hour.
1t will take a clear head and steady
hand, reckon, to keep ones trail
kivC-cd these times. Remember
what Pve told ye when we meet
agin," and turning on his heel, the
athletic scout stalked from the cabin,
with the peculiar lOpe common to
men Of his calling.
at is true" remarked Renshaw,
somewhat abashed, "that the scout
warned me Of a rebel attack, but it
is absurd to entertain the thought
that Magruder would have the tenn
Gritty to trouble us in the face of such
a force as we have opposed to them.
They know from experience the eff
feet Of gunboats's broadside. Boil
var Bill has Over-estimatCd the dam
ger but If Magruder does come he
viii find as hearty welcome as our
levelicd guns can bespeak. What
say you, Colonel ?'
The opinion of the commanding
officer had been listened to with at
tention, but despite his convictions
the solemn manner and earnest tone
of the scout had not failed to exert a
certain amount of influence upon the
balance of the company The SOL
der shook his head, looking grave
ere he ventured reply.
"IknOw Magruder Of DID," he said,
"and if he has recOnnoitered Calves
ton from Virginia point you can rest
assured you will hear further from
him. He is rcsOlute dashIng SOL
dier and not fool to be despised."
ole will find us ready to receive
him." replied Ranshaw with slight
tone of hauteur, "and I'll answer for
it he will retire quicker than he
came"
81 trust you may prove right. But
fOrewarned is forearmed, and Vain
right and gentleman you will under
the circumstances, excuse me for
Withdrawing so abruptly. l 20 to
make some needed preparations; my
presence amongst 50 many will be
scarcely missed"
"If you will allow me to make a
suggestion, Colonel, l would propose
you occupy the long wharf with your
men. Then, in case Of this threaten
ed disaster, which has evidently i'm
pressed you with more than usual
importance, your line Of retreat
would at least be secure"
"Your suggestion, sir, is timely"
replied the soldier, disregardlng the
slight sneer indulgcd in by the naval
chieftain, "and l shall adopt ii. But
should disaster come, Commander
Renshaw, your decks will never be
encumbered by the men Of the Mass
achusetts Forty-second Regiment" /"
and with polite parting salutution,
the soldier and his comrades with
drew.
Renshaw soon after departed, af-
ter muttering an excuse, and before
10 O'Clock had been announced by
the ships bell the party had broken
up, leaving as occupants Of the cabin
wainwright and his bosom friend,
Lieutenant-Co Commander Lee. Vain
rights friend had rallied him on his
depression of spirits, attributing il
to the rather unfortunate ending Of
the New Years festivities, but
wainwright, turning solemly to his
friend, said: "Ned, have cause ia
be serious, not for the reason you at
tribute, however. l have had a warm
ing. Don't laugh at me until you
hear what l have to relate. You
know ! am not superstitiOus and you
know ME better than to attribute to
my nature infatuations, creations OF
q disOrtlered brain. l have been read.
inu n Volump of Scandinavian lp.
gends. One of them in particular
made deep impression on my mind.
It treated Of an apparation called the
Scln-Lai, or shining corpse. 1t is the
specter Of a human body seen in d
phosphoric light, and when the mes
sage augurs evil, then does the phan-
! tom assume the form Of some we'll
known and celebrated personage.
That night l was aroused by the
specter of which l had been reading.