The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-07

The Making Of a Coward.
nv CHARLES B. LEWIS.


the creek i'm search of a spot where ne
could reach the water. A dozen soidle's
moving through the woods would nave
made no more noise.
In his fear Johnny Raw believed that
the enemy was advancing 10 mldhignt
attack. but he neither hunted TOT ms
musket to fire an alarm, nor ala re cry
out nor challenge. With his blood run
ming cold as the waters OF the creek
ne covered and gasped ard trembled. and
hoped that when the men reacned hih'
his death would come quickly.
The horse drank deeply. stopping now
and then to sigh and moan. and when
at last he had finished he turned ana
scented or caught sight OF the ngure on
the earth. Perhaps he was glad-per-
haps surprised He neighed shrllly' ana
advanced a few steps.
1T is a horse-only a horse' gasped
Johnny Raw. as he sprang up Win
sob in his throat and glow OF welcome
in his breast.
Was II a horse? No one could mis-
take that neigh, and that form looming
up in the darkness could not belong 10
other living thing. but after minute
the man found himself doubling. was
It not a trick OF the bushwhackers TO take
him off his guard7 Aye' It might De
what men call the monster OF war roam
ing about in search Of a victim. AS ne
bent forward and peered into the dark
ness. he thought ne saw two eyes OF hre-
a mouth filled with fangs and blood-a
great foot armed with claws, lifted Tor
a rush upon him. Was II Imagination!
Yes-yesl No-.yes-no The man pull
ed himself together. and sought 10 reason
he could not reason. As he struggled
against the fears which had sapped his
strength. morally and physically, u
seemed TO him as If the big beech tree
at his right was reaching out two bony
hands to clasp his throat and choke out
his life He sprang aside with a shrek
which startled the horse ard sent the
possums skurrying away. and now ne
was no longer himself i'm the smallest de-
gree. Fright had grown into terror
terror sent him running through the for
est. He did not take note OF his way;
he was flying from himself-from such
dangers and perils as had never m anaced
man before. To save his life he must
fly. He ran without seeing what was
before him. He crashed through bushes
struck against trees and fell over logs
but on he ran. moaning and muttering
and calling to God.
Who comes here"
1t was Confederate picket on the far
side Of the neutral ground who challeng-
ed. Some one was running straight for
him-somc one seemed TO be encouraging
others to follow
Halt or I'll fire."
There was no hating. Straight for
his post came the crashing and stumbling
and running and as the figure OF man
burst through the bushes the sentinel
fired and called for the corporal Of the
guard.
What is it?" asked the corporal, five
minutes later.
"A man out there. He wouldn't an
swer my challenge and dropped him"
Its a Yank-" exclaimed the corporal
as the two found the body in the dark
ness and struck a match to make a closer
investigation.
''Deserter,' replied the sentinel. but
why in the devil didn't he answer me?"
Johnny Raw had deserted his post and
his lines in the face Of the enemy but
who was to blame for It? Who had
made him a coward and a deserter and
covered his memory with infamy?