Graham guardian., 1896-02-21
CHAPTER XVIII.

The battle of giants had begun. John
had been attached to the generals staff,
and during the first days fighting had
seen much hard service. About ten
o'clock that night, after. seeing to his
faithful horse, he was standing by a
camp fire indulgidg in a tin cup of hot
coffee, made of the genuine article, that
day captured from the retiring feder-
ais, when an orderly rode up, and re-
ported that a Texas brigade, had lost its
way, and needed guide. The general
looked around at his weary staff and
said: Capt. Hewron, you seem the least
fatigued, please de Gen. Wheatley's
brigade round tc the right, and have
them report to Gen. Smith" John
moved off promptly, but with much re-
luctance in his heart.
He found the Texans quarter of a
mile away, resting and waiting for a
guide. He reported to the general that
he was detailed to guide them to the
right, some five miles away, whereat
the general swore mighty oath in
his intense disgust, but finally found
voice to say: Lead on, young man;
presume that the intention is TO walk
us down to state of humility that
will make us fit subjects for killing to-
morrow"
AS the general was splendidly mount
ed this struck John as pretty strong
figure of speech, but he said nothing
except to ride ahead at a steady gait.
AS he rode forward the colonel of the
leading regiment addressed him as TO
how the day had goncin that quarter.
Before he had finished speaking, John
recognized Col. Grcgory's voice, but con-
tsolled his feelings and answered quietly
and in q natural tone of voice.
The colonel started violently at the
sound of the young mans voice, and
said, hastily: Your voice sounds strange
ly familiar to me, and yet you must be a
stranger to me-"
''Not a stranger to you, Col. Gregory,
as long as have memory. am John
Hcwson."
The colonel reached out his hand in
the darkness and graspcd the young
mans as he spoke in "a voice shaken with
feeling:
my lad, my lad, I am glad to see
you. ] feared l should never again see
you. And you have turned soldier, too.
told the folks at home that you were
solid metal With what command are
you scrving?"
Il am at present attached to the corps
commanders staff"
Then you are q commissioned Off
cer?"
Captain"
Jerusalem! but you are climbing. ]
knew it was in you, lad, but did not
know it could so soon get out. Well,
am glad. did not think this terrible
war would ever let me feel glad again,
but know now that have some natural
feeling left. But Henry and my son-in-
law arc both in my regiment, and you
must see them before you go back to
headquarters.
John noticed that the kindly man
spoke rather constraincdly of my SON
in-law," and felt in a moment that the
colonel was disappointed in his son-in-
law.
Impossible, colonel. must report at
once, as soon as the duty is done"
AS they rode along the colonel got by
dint of hard questioning pretty ac-
curatc record of Johns adventures after
leaving Texas, and in return gave John
a succinct account of everything that
had transpired and cXacted promise
from him to visit his wife and daughter
in Richmond after the campaign was
over.
AS John rode back to headquarters
his mind was in maze of thought, out
which he evolved only one definite idea,
and that was that he hated Lanvale and
hoped he would be killed. At two
o'clock he reported at headquarters,
threw himself down on the ground and
slept as only a thoroughly tired man
can.