The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-30
back onto t'other side o. the river7''
That's what l want to do"
ID y know the ford?"
mo; do %

nat $ what want to DO.
ID y know the ford?"
NO; do your"
Reckon"
GOOD for you; come along"
The general led off. the boy sticking
close TO him, occasionally asking ques-
tions IN familiar way that made those
VINO heard them expect the general
would crush him; questions not man
IN the command would have dared to
ASK TO the surprise of all. the general
answered. frankly: that Is, wien he
heard, which was not always, for he was
ensrossed with his hazardous work.
There was artillery firing off 10 the left.
ana when the youngster. with eyes vide
open, asked what 1t meant the general
told him that 1t was 20 engage the enemy
IN front While the thanking was going on
Whereupon the staff wondered ir the
general were not losing his senses to ex-
plain such matters to a child.
sud-. my a bullet sang close 20 the
commanders car He refined in his
horse and looked about him. He could
not tell the direction from which It
chIle' SO he sent coupL:. Of men for
ward; This was common way of feel
ing me enemy If the men came back
the Cohtederatts were noi there. If .he
men were shot the enemy was u: esent.
Ut was simple method. In this in
stance this men returned, and the COL
umn moved on. Then "a voley came
LioHi 81 NilchSL III 'tfle rear. ms tine q
company was sent for information. but
whatever enemy had been there decamp-
ed before their arrival
The general was puzzled. TMe woods
were so thick that he could see nothing.
and he cast about for some en,tnenca
from which to get a review OF his slI-
roundinSS. Besides the road a sugar
loaf rock shot straight up al hundred
rest. but It's Sides were so steep tia,s II
was not easy to climb. The general sent
a n try
taineer: on the contrary. he had been
born and bred on a prairlr= He did not
get on.
go ahead!" shouted the general an
g,ily.
The man made an effort to lodge his
foot and slipped
Take off your boots. stoopid"
The soldier could not sit down, and no
one but an acrobat could stand on one
foot. in such a position, while he removed
boot from the other.
'Nome DOWN. And the general let
NY a voH:y of epithets that stung like
minnie balls.
Another man was sent up. with the
same result. Then another and another
Man after man tried it but none could
gel nigh enough to overlook the tree
tops. IND general fell into a towering
passion and swore he would drive the
next man up under cover of a carbine.
Il bin up thar lots o. times" said the
urchin at his side.
You? Can you climb that?"
'Sartin."
We'll, go ahead"
The boy was off his horse in a mo-
inent ana began to scramble up the rock
Els seemed to know an exact pra otlca Bile
route, making numerous Ziz-Zags and al
ways finding something just far enough
above him TO enable him TO get from one
ledge to another.
"Bravo!" cried the general. THE lit
tie cat! He's worth all the elephant
footed 'sojers' in the brigade"
Inc boy reached point nsar the sum-
mfu where he had q clear view above
the trees. There h. stood leanirr for
ward holding onto a twig with Or hand.
shading his eyes from the sun with the
other
What do you see?" cried the general.
LOTS o cr.cter companies"
"Where?"
Thar" he pointed directely ahead.
Where elSe?"
Thar. and thar, and thar" With the
last word pointing to the rear. Them
uns thar Is ridin straight TO- tn river"
bullet sang fafntly, far ND In the
air. above the troopers above the boy.
This general WINGED.
My god! He's got to stay up there till
ne points way out, and If he gets hurt
III arrest every man that failed to climb
thaa rock and shoot him for cowardice
Are you sure they're all Confederates 81
he called to the boy.
"Yas."
How do you know"
By the flags, N they're all dusty like
not blue like you uns"
Another shot This time it spat spite
fuliy through branch between the boy
and the ground below.
Come down! Mol One moment more
Are they on all roads?"
Vas"
No way for us TO get Through ?"
~ might go TO- the river; then " kin
ride under tn bank"
bullet passed c!oss to the child
mead He lodged, but made no move to
ltave his post
Brave boy. I'll make you q sergea nj
when you come down. Timber on the
Right smart"
How can We get there?"
Go roun' the bottom O this mount
lng."
ANYTHING In the way2 Ia make you
a lieutenant"
Only rail- fence; y kin let down TIL
Good. That's all. Come down at
once. dear boy. You're q captain from
this moment"
Dear boy" The erooup Of oft,cers