The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-03-06

self into high pitch of indignation and be-
come reckless in his profanity and eager to
fight any number of men in any way they
chose, ''but not morn two at 6 time" as
sumed lofty manner ana used my finest
language-the latter | found was always
potent with even southern men of educa
ton. The leader of the gang of horsemen
was loud voiced bully, and that his mill
tery record was confined to the home
guard was evident at a glance. With a
loud oath and threatening gesture in the
direction of his pistol he addressed Bell,
perhaps because he was the older and
stronger looking.
"Weil, you id horse thief! You infer
nal cowardly deserter, we got you and this
boy; now if you don't tell US whar the rest
OF the gang is, b -. We'll take our halters
and swing you two fellows up right here ~
To prove that he meant business, the
man-his name was Holland-f1ung himself
/ from the saddle, and the others followed
his example. Bell did not quail; indeed
/ there was that in his manner that alarmed
the horsemen. He STROBE toward Holland
and looking him full in the eyes, pretaced
his Introductory speech by informing the
/ fellow that if he dared to intimate that
either of US was horse thief he lied like q
sneak and the truth was not in him, and,
further, that if he (holland) was not the
biggest coward that ever wore beard he
4
| he had so grossly iusulted an equal chance
to prove his honor and his courage. his
| bold course had an excellent effect, and
! Bell was quick to see 1t. Turning to the
other men, with manner that indicated he
was sorry to see lot of fine fellows in such
company as Hollands, he said:
I'VE uns is soiers on furlough a-tryin to
make our way to the mountains. We uns
hez been whar the man that dares to insult
we uns never was and never will be- and
that's whar Yankee bullets hez been t1yin
around. Just look at thatr With ORA
matte intensity and force of action such
as | have never seen surpassed on the
stage, Bell tore opeu his shirt and pointed
to the still unhealed bullet hole in his
breast 1t bad been made by a rebel, but
who could tell that?
Holland Gained down somewhat, though
he was not inclined to yield gracefully. He
and his men were out hunting deserters
and horse thieves. They had oeen tracked
into these woods, and, while BelPs story
might be true, IL was the part of prudence
to make US prisoners until we could prove
that we were honest men and away from
the army on furlough.
And now | seemed to side with Holland
/ assured him that his precaution was RICH
and reasonable, but l urged at the same
time that ii was hard for men who wer,
good soldiers, and who had been wounded
ana lOSI JuelC uedlUu III INC StEflC6, 10 VI
treated like deserters and thieves. Ever
: days delay shortened our furlough, and u
9 prove it l showed him the papers | hat
e prepared at billiards.. They were in prope
form, they were water soaked and had al
the evidence OF having been issued b.
Msjor Huger at Pocotaligo three week
t before. We belonged to the Thirty
: North Carolina, but had been detailed
. while at Wilmington, for battery servlc
A further down the coast.
t Holland and others looked over tn
. papers, and if they doubted my story
6 was not indicated at that time. But on
v middle aged man, with long beard and
o campmeeting cast Of countenance, aske
g very soemnly:
sis it not the rule to furnish transports
o ton to the men who are furloughed?"
It AS this was one of the questions I ha
: prepared for in advance. L replied with
bow:
J. 81 see, sir, you are well acquainted wit
IS the service. We did have transportatlo
! to Raleigh, and the quartermaster thel