The National tribune., 1889-01-17

wounded. and some Of his men were slightly
injured, but nobody was killed.
Harry had a very narrow escape. When the
firing began he was working one Of the sweeps
70 bring the boat into the current, it having
threatened to run upon bar that projected
from the Northern shore. A bullet struck the
huge oar on which lie was pulling, and buried
itself in the wood within an inch Of his hand ;
another passed through the top Of his hat, and
still another lodged in the cotton-bale which
formed his shelter. The men on the boats
promptly returned the fire, and by the time
the cavalry reached the spot the assailants had
mounted their horses and disappeared IN the
forest How many there were of them no one
could say, as she density OF the forest was q
complete shield for them. Natives in the VI
cinity reported I9 killed, but this was doubt
less an exaggeration, as there were probably not
above that number of them altogether. The
bushes were not searched, either by the crews
OF the boats or the cavalry; the latter were too
much engrOssed with the pursuit of the assali-
ants TO look for dead or wounded rebels, and
the former did not deem ii az all prudent TO
venture ashore.
From this point the boats continued unmo-
Tested TO Augusta, where it was decided not to
try 10 take them further rs the road lay too
far from the river TO enable the army to come
promptly 10 their support, and the country
was said TO be swarmiDg with bushWhackers.
All the provisions and other stores on the
boats were taken ashore, and the boats and
their bulwarks of cotton were set on fire and
burned The residents Of Augusta begged TO be
permitted to save the cotton, but the General
said Do might get them into trouble with their
friends AZ BatesFille. as the latter would be
sure to claim it as their property and SO 1t was
best to burn il up. The pilot who had accom-
panied them thus far was paid of, but he de-
cided that il might not be safe for him to re-
Dgfazzf11a his HpIrhhnTS would
accuse him OF being altogether too friendly
with the Yankees. He was sorry he hadn't
thought Of il before, or he wouldn't have ven
tured down the river at all.
II was the Fourth Of July when the army
reached Augusta and a salute was fired ID
honor Of the National Independence. Our
young friends found their horses all right and
safe IN the hands Of the friends to whom they
had been iutTusted, and it is safe 70 say that
both Harry and Jack rejoiced 10 be once more
10 the saddle.
The old fever for scouting came upon them,
and as the army was short Of provisions they
proceeded TO hunt up something for feeding
purposes. In the outskirts Of the town they
found deposit Of corn which had been care
fully concealed, and had already missed the
sharp eyes Of several squads Of soldiers. There
were nearly hundred bushels of it, and fol-
lowing up their success they came upon another
store Of still larger amount In a clump OF
forest, half q mile or so ont of Augusta, they
unearthed more than a wagonIOad OF bacon
and altogether their labors were Of material
advantage to the little army which had been
disappointed by the failure Of the transports
and guHboats to ascend the river.
After their return from the discovery Of the
bacon. an old negro sidlei mp TO Harry and
said be could tell him something he would like
TO know
"Out with it" said Harry. Don't keep me
waiting. What is it you want to tell me?"
Hole on 8 bit, young Massa," said the ne
gro. Dere amt no hurry bout it.
Well, I'm In 8 hurry, said Harry, land
If you've any talking TO do, fire away"
Now Jest look a-heah," said the darkyi
san III tell yer. Fl tell somethin' yer want
to know real bad, II yer give me my free-pa-
Pers?"
Certainly was Harry's reply; "if you
give Us any information that's true and useful
you'll get your free-papers fast enough"
OATS al I want ter know" continued the
oolOred citizen; and dis is what Use gwine
Ter say"