The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-08-23
THE CAMP FIRE.



on one OF those ten-day scouts toward
Dyersburg. In West Tenn. Old Capt.
Msttheis was In command. The
weather was very hot, and the clouds OF
dust We raised on the road were suffo-
eating.
The captain had darkey with him
~ factotum. named Bill. On the
march he was In the habit OF carrying
the captains belt. with sabre and pis-
tol. He would buckle the belt around
his waist and throw back his head
when passing ''de common field mig
GER" as Bill contemptuously called
any darxies we met. He would not
notice them only TO peremptorily or
der them 20 get out OF his way. Bill
was we'll built. coal-black and verita-
bly, young Hercules. His arrogance
to the negroes on the plantations we
passed amused the boys, and they
would encourage him by saying; "Bill,
would use the sabre on some OF them
lazy field niggers that stare ut you 80,
and learn them who you are"
Now. II Bill had confined his pomp-
GUS manners 10 the darkies alone
there would have been no trouble. per-
haps. but he got 80 pulled up" with
his own Importance that he extended
his authority 10 the ladies. ordering
them TO wait on him with all the assur-
ance of brigadier. And here he out
did himself When Bill attempted TO
order the ladies TO get him some din
ner, they would invariably drive. him
out with scornful Indignation; for
whatever faults the southern women
may have had. they were ladies, and
they would have died rather than be
compelled 10 wait upon negro. The
feelings those ladies had that the ne
gro vas an inferior being. i acknowl-
edge respected; but Bill thought II
was an honor for them TO wait on him.
kept watch OF Bill. for rather ex-
pected we would have trouble on ac-
count OF his nonsense. One day we
were camped near large plantation
and the captain told Bill 10 hunt him
up some dinner.
Now. instead OF explaining that he
wanted some dinner for the captain,
Bill strutted into parlor with his
head thrown back, the captains sabre
dangling at his side. and with all the
pomp OF an emperor demanded dinner
for three--the officers and himself.
The ladies ordered him TO get out OF
the no, 80, but this Bill had no notion
OF doing. Instead. he swelled up like
great toad and yelled out. as he drew
the captains sabre:
Now Use gwine TO show you 'ces-
sionists dat you has to do jes' as we
tells ycrl"
Some OF the young women ran
screaming from the room, and IL was
their screaming that attracted several
OF us 10 the scene. When l arrived,
the lady OF house, with her daughter
was covering In n corner. Bill stood
over them, threatening them with The
captains sabre, keeping up fire OF
words TO them OF what he intended TO
do. He was 80 intent on lecturing
them that he did not hear me enter.
made grab at tho black rascal 10
get the saber, but he lodged me. and
squared up 10 defend himself This
angered me, and Ipounced upon the
whelp. but before we could exchange
blow poor Bill received crack from
the sledge-hammer fist OF Nate Russell.
which wilted him like a trampled puff
ball. He lay sprawled upon the floor
apparently lifeless Hesaid afterwards
that he thought lido worl come TO an
end. sure" Nate grabbed him by the
wool and dragged him out OF the
house. and that was Bills last raid on
the women. The blow he received
warned him that II was not safe TO In
dulge In that kind OF fun. Dan Knight