The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-04-01

more than a rod from the green curtain which
had hidden it when smoke and fire puffed from
the long gun in the boats bow and she'll came
screaming directly toward US. The thoroughly
scared Popeye poured on Us a torrent of oaths
and curses, and his keen whip cut terrible wales
in Our sides. Midway of the distance there
was turn of the road to the left, around rock.
We had reached it, Possibly Popeye, in his ex-
element, shouted "gee" when he meant
haw;" possibly, in My excitement and unfa-
miliarity with the terms, may have mistaken
haw - for gee" II want TO be just, even to
a mule driver.) At all events, | turned sharply
to the right when / should have swerved the
other way, and instantly there were six mules
of Us in a hopeless tangle, with My near .
partners forelegs astride the neck of the "of y
swing mule, and similar arrangement of every
individual Of the team. Simultaneously be-
lieve. the shell struck the wagon amidships
and burst some distance beyond and higher up
the hill. Popeye was but an instant in leaping
from the saddle aud disappearing in the woods.
JimsOn went by Me like a small, black whlrl-
wind that had caught up bunch of ragged
clothing. Then the cavalcade of the kunnel
swept by through the dock and milkweed on
the lower side of the road and gained the shell
ter of the oaks and beeches. Another shell,
equally well aimed, but with shorter fuze,
burst almost under the wagon, and the report
was followed by flames and a smell of burning
whisky.
''Theh goes yo' beloved keg, Maiah, said the
Kunnel
"Theh go those cahfully- prepared plans that
were to make yo a General" responded the
Majah. "But yo' loss s nothing to mine. I'll
not sec so much fine Bourbon again fo many a
thirsty day"
Seeing the wagon wrecked and in flames, the
gunboat waited a little before expending any
more ammunition.
It's too bad to let those mules be burned
alive" said the Kunnel, viewing Us compass
sionately Somebody ought to go out theh
and cut them loose. Mr.. Atkins, you do that"
Atkins shrugged his shoulders and did not
move, but Jims0n sprang out the moment the
idea was suggested and in another instant his
knife had severed the traces that held Me, and
| bounded away, a free Mule once more, and
was soon beside the Kunncl'S chestnut
The plunging and whinnying of the five poor
brutes still fastened to the wagon touched the
Kunnels heart. He was too genuine horse
man not to feel sympathy with any suffering
one of the horse kind.
Atkins" he said, entreatingly, 81 can't
stand this sight, and l can't go away and re-
membah that I've left those creatures to buhn
TO death. Go out theh and cut them loose. L
am almost sho the enemy don't intend to fiah
again"
Atkins only lecred cunningly, as if he was
entirely too shrewd to take the least chances of
injury TO his precious hide Tor such an 1nSlg-
nfcant reason as sparing an animal pain.
Atkins, yoll go out theh and cut them
loose I'll promote yo' to Wagonmasteh of the
regiment"
This was the position of all others that At
kins coveted. 1t relieved him from duty with
the company, saved him the disagreeable
necessity of going into battle, and gave him
supreme command of en- independent corps.
He would do anything for it, The gunboat
yIn -
not think the risk was great. Opening
long-badcd dirk, which is as inseparabie
companion of the low-class Kentucky
white as the dagger is Of the low caste Mexican,