Daily Yellowstone journal., 1889-05-11
AT THE CANNON'S MOUTH

tearing by with terrible clatter leav-
ing cloud of dust behind them, then
It was all quiet for an hour. | heard
tramping, and looking up to the
crest OF rising ground to the north,
saw the road packed with soldiers on
loot They came quickly up and |
scarcely had time 10 see what they
looked like before those in front had
passed. They didn't march like sol
diers | had seen in the city on a gala
day, when was a little girl; they
hurried along, each man walking as
he liked. ] wondered how they could
90 so fast, they were loaded down so.
They carried great heavy knapSaclis
and blankets, and tin pans aud can.
teens, besides their muskets They
looked more as il they were going to
set up housekeeping than 10 war.
While | was leaning on the window
sill, looking out and watching them,
saw a young officer ride into the
yard. just as If he belonged 10 the
plsce-or, rather. as il the place be-
longed TO him-and back toward the
harm. Two soldiers rode behind him,
and they got down of their horses and
went into the barn. Thought at once
they were after our horses. My pony
was there, and i made up my mind
they shouldn't take him without walk
ing over my dead body. | ran down
stairsand ovt TO the barn. Iflhad been
making a forced march myself |
couldn't have gone faster. Before i
got there they had Two horses out, and
were harnessing them TO the farm
wagon. / marched up TO the officer
and asked him what he was doing.
He was a trifle startled at seeing a
girl standing before him, looking as il
she intended TO make resistance.
'We're pressing all the horses and
wagons we find along the road" he
what do you mean by pressing
hemi"
"We'rc pressing them into the ser
vice.
"What fort"
"To carry the mems knapsacks
They can march faster"
"Do you think ii makes it any more
respectable to call it 'pressingi"
The officers face was flushed. |
thought it was because he was ashamed
Of his work; but | soon noticed that
he was in burning fever.
"You sha'n't take my pony, any
way" cried, going TO man who
was leading him out of the barn and
seizing the latter.
"Never mind that horse" said the
officer; it's only a pony. Take it back
into the stable"
The man obeyed at once. They har-
messed two horses to the wagon, and
I'D the team into the road. AS the
soldiers marched past it they threw
their knapsacks on the wagon, and il
was soon loaded, and one of the ne
groes drove it away.
Just then an officer came along with
o number Of other officers and q train
u horsemen following him. noticed
that he had stars ON his shoulders, and
wore a straight sword instead of a
crooked one Like the rest.
'Captainl" he said, looking at the
ofhcer who had taken our horses and
wagon, you'd better not try togo any
further"
Il can go on, general. It's only in
termitLent."
The general cut him short with,
Stop where you are" He spoke so
sharp that thought he was going 10
bite the captains head of. / 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, 10 take care
Of himself as best he could. | noLiced
he wore the same ornament on his cap
rs those about the general-a wreath
and | concluded he was one Of them.
There was an interval in the pass
ing regiments, and no one was near
but the captain and me.
"What are you going 10 do2" | ask
I'd him.
/ was sitting on the fence with my
Test dangling. II wasn't very grace.
full position, but was only a country
girl then, and didn't know any better.
II don't know" he said wearily; II
suppose / must ride back 10 NJ.
there's hospital there
II be hadn't been a Yankee and a
or presser, which is the same
thing, I'd have asked him 10 come in
10 the house at once, he looked 50 sick.
'.Arent you ashamed Of yourself"
| uaid, Ito take horses that don't be-
long 10 youf"
he did look ashamed 1T isn't a
pleasant business" he said. You'd
1stter get that pony Of yours out OF
lhs way; there'll he more troops along
hsEe BY and by"
When he said this his voice sounded
y pleasant, and he looked SO sick,
NJ l made up mind 10 ask him in.
nj ! couldn't bring myself 10 speak
!dndly 10 him. / couldn't forget that
- was Yankee soldier.
Come into the house. / said, very
q looked a. me out of his melan.
IAely, feverish eyes.
s3o, ] thank you. I'll ride back TO
and he turned his horses
ksnd 10 ride away.
Icalled 10 him TO stop. BE obeycd
- and / went out into the road and
~ bold Of his bride.
ssWhat do you mean by that2" he
Inlnd, surprised.
s.T'm going 70 press your horse"