The National tribune., 1889-02-07
CHAPTER LII.

THE lost ARMY N CAMP AT HELENA-NE-
GROEs UTILIZED-A DARBY DoXoLoGY-THE
End.
Our story draws TO close. We have brought
Harry and Jack to the banks of the great
river, and there We VIII leave them. The army
OF Gen. Curtis had terminated a most arduous
campaign. Since leaving Rolla in February,
six months before. il had marched more than
GO miles. much Of the way through thinly-
settled and inhospitable region, with bad roads
uubridged streams. aud an the difficulties of
lOcOmotion Ia a new country. Il had fought
several minor engagements and skirmishes
and engaged IN battle Of three days duration
that Of Pea Ridge out OF which it emerged VIC
tOrious after combating with a force three
times as great IS lis own. It had performed
some OF the best marching on record, and its
men were ready 10 90 through another cam
paign Of the same sort, only asking for brief
rest and for sufficient good food to restore their
accustomed strength. Aud the reader may be
sure that nothing was kept from them that was
within the power Of the Quartermasters to give
and the camps in and around Helena were
scene Of feasting and rejoicing, such as that
quiet town on the Mississippi had never before
known.
Harry and Jack were quite as ready as any
me else for a good rest. and did not hang back
Ehen there was prospect for something nice
10 eat. As they stu0lled through the streets
and along the leVee Of Helena they built many
castles IN the air, and pOndered upon what they
had been through since they left their homes
tWelTemonth before.
Wonder how many miles we've trayeled2 ?"
said Harry. leave out Of the calculation
the railway and steam boat travelling. and only
include horseback riding and on foot"
don't know, I'm sure" replied Jack.
Lets figure it up as best we can, and see how
It comes out.
They proceeded 10 figure It, but frankly
acknowledged that the JOB was a difficult one,
on account Of their numerous scouting expe-
ditions many Of which they cOuldn't remember
st the moment. Altogether they thought ii must
have been not far from thousand miles up to
the time they made their last departure from
Rolla. The army, as we have seen, had marched
coo miles from kOlla to Helena. and as the bows
had made many scouting and other expeditions
around Pea Ridge, Forsyth and Batesyille
they thought u not unfair to add 400 miles 10
The iotal Of the army's movements, making
1900 miles altogether.
just think OF it," exclaimed Jack. " , 600
mikes Why that's two-thirds the distance.
about, from New York 10 San Francisco. It's
big lot Of travelling, especially when it's been
done on the quarterback Of a horse, and some
times under very hard circumstances. We've
been many times in peril Of our lives. passed
through great many priyations, been cold and
wet and hungry, but for all that, here we are
As healthy as a couple OF young tigers, ready
for the next adventure that turns up"
Yes, that's so" replied Harry; and ]
suppose you don't want 70 go home just now, d
you
Not ], was the ready response; "but vel
see what our folks say about It, and also what
the General says"
We haven't had any letters for long time, ,
Eald Harry, and furthermore we haven't sent
any Tor the very simple reason that the mails
coRidnt get either TO or from us. We've beer
buried IN the wilderness as much as though W,
had been IN the middle Of Africa"
Yes replied Jack; and that reminds Elt
of something ] heard Gen. Kandever sayinl
this morning. lie had a newspaper whiei
somebody brought down on a steamboa from
Memphis, and l heard him telling Gen. Wash
burne that the newspapers were full of article
about Us, and there WAS great deal Of anxiet,
concerning Gen. Curtis and his army.
Then he laughed" continued Jack " ant
said they were speaking OF ms as The Los
Army Nothing bad been heard from Us 70
such long time that they were afraid we
been lost aad couldn't get back again, or pei
hsps the rebs had killed or captured Us all"
Well, We haven't been lost very much.
said Harry, with what may be called an aud
bic smile. We've always known where "
were, ano whenever the enemy attacked US b
had reason 10 know that we knew. But, I say
Jack, that gives me an idea"
+" What is that p"
Why, if we ever write story Of our can
paigns that'll be good name for it, Wegl ca
it The Lost army and i'm be first-ra
title"
That's SO" Jack answered, "and it viii /
quite as truthful as many titles of books ry
seen. Very often when you read book there
very little ia the pages IF the volume that seei
10 have been suggested by what you find Q
the file-page"
Just 81" said Harry, and man viii has
70 read clear through TO the last chapter befol
be finds ont what The Lost Army was. An
when he does End out he'll agree with Us th;
we haveu't been going round getting lost ver
much"
We had the permission Of the youths to te
the story Of their experiences in the Soutl
west, and have taken ii. title and all. This
Children Cw eo