The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-06-27
THE CANNON'S MOUTH,
BY F. A. mitchell.

tearing Dy Will teIAluio SAoltSA, t.A' 'AAS
. cloud of dust behind them, then 1t was
sll quiet for an hour. heard a tramp
ing, and looking up to the crest Of rising
ground to the north, saw the road
hacked with soldiers on foot. They
came quickly up, and scarcely had time
to see what they looked like before those
In front had passed. They didn't march
like soldiers 1 had seen in the city on
gala day, when I was little girl; they
hurried along, each man walking as he
liked. I wondered how they could
70 so fast, they were loaded down so:
They carried great heavy knapsacks and
blankets, and tin pans and canteens, be-
sides their muskets. They look more as
If they were going to set up house-keep.
ing than to war.
While was leaning on the widow
sill, looking out and watching them, l
saw young officer ride into the yard,
Just as if he belonged to the place-or,
rather, as if the place belonged to him.
and back toward the barn. Two soldiers
rode close behind him, and they got
down off their horses and went into the
barn. thought at once they were after
our horses. My pony was there, and
made up my mind they shouldn't
take him without walking over my dead
body. I ran down stairs and out to the
barn. If 7 had been making forced
march myself couldn't have gone faster.
Before l got there they had two horses
out, and were harnessing them to the
farm wagon. marched straight up to
the officer and asked him what he was
doing.
He was trife startled at seeing girl
standing before him, looking as if she
Intended to make resistance.
.'sWe're pressing all the horses and
iRns we lind along the road," he
"What do you mean by pressing
them2"
"We're pressing them into the ser
vice"
eWhat fora"
ITO carry the mems knapsacks. They
tan march faster"
s'Do you think it makes it any more
respectable to call it pressing"
The officers face was flushed. l
thought it was because he was ashamed
Of his work; but I soon noticed that he
was in burning fever. .
'sYou shan't take my pony. anyway"
! cried, going to man who was leading
him out of the barn and seiz'ng the
halter.
s.Never mind that horse" said the Of
aceE "it's only pony. Take it back
int6the stable"
The man obeyed at once. They har-
messed two horses to the wagon, and
led the team into the road. As the
soldiers marched past it they threw their
knapsacks on the wagon, and it was
soon loaded, and one of the negroes
drove it away.
Just then an officer came along with
number of other officers and train of
horsemen following him. noticed that
he had stars on his shoulders, and wore
! straight sword instead of a crooked one
like the rest.
"Captain," he said, looking at the Of
fcer who had taken our horses and
wagon, you'd better not try to go any
farther"
81 can go on, general. It's only in
termittent." ...
The general cut him short with, "Stop
where you are." He spoke so sharp that
l thought he was going to bite the cap.
tain's head off. I wished the captain
had the courage to answer him, but he
hadn't. The general and those who
were with him rode on, leaving the sick
man sitting on his horse looking after
them, to take care of himself as best he
eould. I noticed he wore the same orna-
pent on his cap as those about the gen.
eral-a wreath-and concluded he was
one of them.
There was an interval in the passing
regiments, and no one was near but the
captain and me.
"What are you going to do'" I asked
him.
L was sitting on the fence, with my
feet dangling. 1t wasn't very graceful
position, but I was only q country girl
then, and didn't know any better.
II don't know" he said, wearily; 81
suppose 1 must ride back to n.
There's hospital there"
If he hadn't been Yankee and rob-
ber, or 'presser, which is the same
thing, I'd have asked him to come into
the house at once, he looked so sick.
s.Aren't you ashamed of yourself"
said, "to take horses that don't belong
to vou?"
He did look ashamed. cit isn't a
pleasant business" he said. "You'd
better get that pony of yours out of the
way; therell be more troops along here
by-and-by."
When he said this his voice sounded
30 pleasant, and he looked so sick, that
Imade up my mind to ask him in. But
Icouldn't bring myself to speak kindly
to him. l couldn't forget that he was a
Yankee soldier.
ssCome into the house." said, sharply.
He looked at me out of his melancholy,
feverish eyes.
"No, I thank you. I'll ride back to
n" and he turned his horses head
to ride away.
called to him to stop. He obeyed
me, and I went out into the road and
took hold of his bride.
sWhat do you mean by that~ he
asked, surprised.
"What FORE"
t'To keep for the safe return of those
&gou've taken"
He looked at me sort O. dazed. He
his hand to his head, and didn't
>know what to do. led his
Athe veranda. He dismount-
ID feebly up the steps and
- Rench, while took his
>barn.