Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1896-04-30

that his sorrel rolled over do not re
member at all, though ] perfectly re
member how Absalom sprang up, stag
gered, shouted: my footis sprained!
and fell as turned to look at him ant
went racing on.
Then heard above the sound Of oul
hoofs tho voice OF the veteran of war
Down as he was, his spirit was un
broken. In the favorite song of the
army his voice rose clear and gay anc
piercing:
"Hurrah for the Union!
Hurrah, boys, hurrah!
Shouting the battle-cry OF freedom!"
We turned our heads and cheered
him as we flew, for there was some
thing indescribably inspiriting in the
gallant and cheerful lit of the fallen
man. It was as If he flung us, from
the grief of defeat, soul unconqqer-
able; and felt the life in me strength.
ened by the tone.
Old Bader and for it! He led by
100 yards and Crowfoot's gray kept his
stride. Was / gaining on them? How
was it that / could see his figure out
lined more clearly against the horizon?
Surely dawn was not coming on!
No; / looked round on world Of
naked peach orchards, and cornfields
ragged with last years stalks, all dim
w lit by moon that showed far from
midnight; and that faint light on the
horizon was not in the east, but in the
west. The truth flashed on mc--I was
looking at such an illumination of the
sky as would be caused by the camp
fires Of an army.
1.-THE missing brigade!" l shouted.
"Or a southern division!" Bader cried.
"Come onl"
"Come on!" / was certainly gaining
on him, but very slowly. Before the
nose of my bay was beyond the tail
of his roam, the wide illuminations had
become more distinct; and still not
a vidette, nor picket, nor sound of
the proximity of an army.
Bader and now rode side by side,
and Crowfoot's gray easily kept the
pace. My horse was in plain distress,
but Bader's was nearly done.
"Take the paper, Adam" he said;
''my roam won't go much farther
Good-by, youngster. Away you go!"
and l drew now quickly ahead.
Still Bader rode on behind me. In
a few minutes he was considerably be-
hind. Perhaps the sense of being alone
increased my feeling of weakness.
Was ] going TO reel out of the saddle?
Had | lost so much blood as that?
Still | could hear Bader riding on.
turned to look at him. Already he was
scarcely visible. Soon he dropped out
of sight; but still heard the laborious
pounding Of his desperate horse.
My bay was gasping horribly. How
far was that family yellow sky ahead?
1t might be two, It might be five miles.
We're union or southern soldiers be-
meath it? Could it he conceived that
no troops of the enemy were between
me and it?
Never mind; my orders were clear.
rode straight on, and was still riding
straight on. marking no Increase in
the distress Of my bay, when he stopped
as il shot, staggered. fell on his knees.
tried to rise. rolled to his side, groaned
and lay.
was so weak could not clear my
self. remember my right spur catch
ing in my saddle cloth as tried to free
my foot; then pitched forward and
fell.
Not vet senseless, clutched at my
breast for the dispatch, meaning to tear
i to pieces; but there my brain failed
and in full view OF the goal of the nigh,
lay unconscious.
When ! came to, / rose on my left
elbow and looked around. Near my
feet my poor bay lay stone dead.
Crowfoot's gray.- where was Crow
foot's gray? 1t flashed on me that
might mount the fresh horse and ride
On. But where was the gray?
AS l peered ronndI heard family the
sound Of a galloper. Was he coming my
way? No; family and more family ]
heard the hoofs.
Had the gray gone on then without
the dispatch? clutched at my breast
Ny coat was unbuttoned-the paper
VI gone!
Well, sir, | cheered. My God! but II
VAS comforting to hear those far-away
ioofs, and know that Bader must have
'ome up, taken the papers and mount
d Crowfoot's gray, still good for ten.
nile ride! The dispatch was gone for
ward; we had not all fallen in vain;
maybe the brigades would be saved.
How purely the stars shonel When
stified my grooming they seemed to
ell me of a great peace to come. How
till was the night and thought OF
he silence Of the multitndes who had
lied for the union.
Now the galloping had quite died
way. There was not sound; slight
freeze blew. but there were no leaves
Q rustic. ! put my head down on the
eek of my dead horse. Extreme ia.
'~ue was herrmhirr the rain Of nv
low swelling arm; perhaps Sleep was
car-perhaps was swoonirg.
But a sound came that somewhat re-