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

JIMS0M WENT BY LIKE SMALL BLACK
WHIRLWIND.
boat must be manned by Dutch, sah No
Yankees were eveh so vindictive, or could do
such work with guns. I'm sho they're Dutch
Dutch devils, sah'
Likely, sab. But I'll feel mo- like discuss
ing this with yo' afteh we get to place o
safety, something like which yo' are now, sah."
"Kunnel, what l called out to yo' TO. sab,
was TO inqueh about the headquarteh wagon.
I'm mighty anxious about it, sab. Dye know
which it is. sah?"
The voice of Atkins rose upon the Autumn
air:
40, let the blasted ole .headquarteh wagon
go, Majah, an let's US skeet oU.cn heah as fast
Is our legs II carry US. In a minnit thet eer
gunboat II git range o this spot an tar these
trees into kindlin'-wood. Let's go, an save
ouahselves while we CAM
''Shut up. Atkins. 1 want to talk to the
Kunnel"
Lets CO." pleaded Atkins "We kin git
mo- wagons if we lose that 'un. but Whar ii we
git ourselves agin ef one o them internal bomb
shells hits US? Come-let's 90. I'll promise
to git yo anuther kag o jest ez good whisky ez
that in the headquarteh wagon, ef you'll come
along"
"Shut up Atkins. Not another word. sah
Stay right which yo are, sab. Move a step
away at y6' peril If necessary yo'll have TO
go back in search O that wagon yoself, sah."
kissing of the fuZe of 4 shell which had just lit
1t would be an intolerable disgrace" con-
tinued the Maiah, to have the enemy capture
ouah papehs, which are in that wagon, and con-
tain all ouah plans. Besides, sab, such whisky
as is in that keg is worth almost any hazard o
life"
"Majah," called ont the Kunnel, " 1 think
the wagons all right, except few holes
through the coveh, made by pieces o shell.
Its back behind us little ways, in the coyeh
O. the same piece o woods that we're in. Now"
Ito those that were around him let everybody
keep as close as possible, and perhaps those
devils oveh theh will think we've all got away,
and stop fiahing Then we'll make rush and
get across the gap"
1t promised TO happen as the Kunnel pre-
dicted. The Cunboat waited until the smoke
and dust raised by the last shells had cleared
away, and then her officers scanned the hillside
carefully with their glasses. Except two dis
emboweled horses who had struggled painfully
to their knees and were gazing with deeply
mourDful eyes in the direction whittier their
comrades had vanished, there was no sign of
life On the bare hillside. The boats guns re-
mained silent: but she did not seem altogether
satisfied, for her wheels were backing, so as to
hold her stationary against the current and
keep her cannon covering the spot.
Now" said the Kunnel, after We had waited
what seemed an interminable time her men
are probably lettering away from her guns. If
we make rush we can probably get across
theh ana undeh coveh befo' they can get back
and fab. Bring up that wagon theh, and get it
ready to go across at 9allop the first thing.
Wen follow it with rush."
The AdJutant and two or three men dis
mounted and went back after the wagon. On
the way back they noticed an opening in the in
teriacing branches through which they feared
the white cover of the wagon might show and
betray the movement so they called for Jimson
with than al do
the wagon, carrying paw paw brush to mask the
cleaning canvas. This was done so we'll that
the wagon soon reached the covert where the
kunnel stood without having attracted the
attention OF the watching Yankee officers.
"Kunnel," said P0peye, who was driving
"that lead mule on the off sides SO lame that
don't believe he can 90 another STEP We'd
better take him out an put that Mule theh in
his place." indicating Ne with the butt of his
blacksaake whip.
That wont do" answered the Kunnel
" that Mules neyeh lad a cOllah on him. and
this IS no tiIne fo' breaking green mules"
He'll have 10 DO" answered Popeye; I" for
we can't do without him. The other mules
can't pull the wagon alone, and pll chance it
that he'll pull well enough after I've wound
this bIacksnake around him once or twice"
We'll, try i" asSented the Kunnel
/ had long before fully made up Ny mind to
resent to the death the attempt to subject Me
to the slavery of the collar, but now was so
numbed and bewldered by all that had hap
pened that offered but the iaintest resistance
when they stripped the leather millinery which
had decorated the " off leader" from him and
placed it around Ny shapely form. When 1
saw Jinson take his place in the front of the
wagon l resolved that for this occasion only
would do Ny very best to make the undcrtak-
ing success.
Its getting SO late now" suggested the
kunne!, after all the arrangements were COM
pleted, q" that we might wait heah fo an hour
ortwo until it gets darker, and then go through
in safety"
That wont do answered the Adjutant ."
saw the gunbGat send asho' several boat-loads
Of soldiers to follow us up. I've watched them
coming along the road for some time. Theh,
you can see their gun-barrels flash down theh
IN that cawa-field."
by the Lawd Harry, that's so," said the
Kunnel, after look in the direction indicated
"Fo'wahd, theh."
Go ahead. Muley," called ont Jimson, and
Popeye cracked his whip like pistol
We were destined 10 4 rude awakening from
the delusion that We could catch the gunboat
mapping. As the Kunnel remarked after it was
all over: 'Possuming seems to be game that
two can play at" We were at dead run
almost from the moment of starting, but it
eemed to Nc that the white cover was not