Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-12-02
Amusing Incidents OF War.


If little humor is welcome to the
best of us, there are times when it
is relief even in the midst of danger.
None knows this better than the sol
der who viii stop to laugh before fill
ing even his canteen, though the water
may in an hour be of priceless value to
him, writing in agony from a wound.
An instance of this sort is as fresh as
if | had made merry over it only yes
terday. We had q long and tedious
march through the mountains without
water for men and horses, and the
thing was getting serious. Chewing u
bullet was all very well for 4 time, but
our tongues were now swollen, and as
for the animals, they walked painfully
on with dropping heads and disconsO-
late tails. AT last the van came across
Il Mexican who managed to make out
what we wanted, and informed US that
just beyond a ridge like the sharpened
backbone of some petritied monster
rising about three miles to our left,
there was spring of good mineral
water.
The column faced about. and with re-
newed hope we started for the spot,
and after half an hour came in sight
of little dip where we guessed lay
the promised stream. Two Of the men
FASTENED forward to get the first drink,
running close race. When they ar
rived it was to find that there was n
spring sure enough, but it was all but
dry. The sandy bottom was still moist,
and by the dint Of getting down on
ones knees and patting the sand a little
water would rise. The two men seeing
this, and each anxious to secure what
there was left, both made a break for
it. They nearly tripped each other up,
and then clinched, determined to win
the prize or know the reason why. One,
John Ketchum, finally knocked his COM
panion down, but, as ill-luck would
have it, he fell into the spring itself
John jerked him out again as hastily
as possible, but it was too late. Jack
Harris clothes had absorbed all the
moisture there was, and when we came
up with them John, sobbing aloud, was
squeezing his comrade tightly in his
arms, but not from affection Oh, no;
it was to dry and drain him free of
the precious water. There was one
shout of laughter. Forgetful of their
sufferings all joined in and laughed the
harder when John turned q reproach-
full eye on us as he gave up squeezing
the heart-broken Jack with q well-de-
liYered kick. II don't see how you can
laugh This burned fool has sopped
all the water up. and there amt none,
'cep we lick him, and he's too alfred
lousy for that"
1t was while the confederate army
was falling back from Dalton, Ga,
down to Atlanta that three scouts vol
unteered to go out and feel the strength
of the enemy nearest at hand They
had advanced as close 10 the union
picket line as they dared. when sud-
denly from the cover of the woods
there came running in double quick
time a squad of blue-clad men and be-
hind them one or two cav0lry officers.
The confed0rates turned without any
One calamity led the reversed charge,
and his companions seeing him reach n
rail fence in his flight, shouted to him:
Lay down the fence, Bob; lay down
the fence for us" But friendship was
but an empty word to Bob right then,
and he undertook to leap his horse over
the obstruction. Alasl the straining
steed made too short Il spring and fell
athwart the tOpmOst rail, and Bob hung
there until his friends arrived, when he
implored them: FOR Gods sake. BOYS.
stop and lift me off The hOrse1l kill
me even il the Yankees don't" and
laughing themselves, rs did their pur-.
suers, they good-naturedly helped him
out OF his predlclment. philadelphia
Times.