The National tribune., 1897-09-16

though we intended to capt
ure the biggest vessel in the feet, when a
gruff voice from the ship whose bow we
were passing commanded us to "Come
to, there!" At the same time we saw
a grim-looking old sea-dog, in nice uni
form, leaning over the rail, motioning
us in with his hand. We turned the
bow of our little boat toward him, and,
when we came within better speaking
distance, he Intercepted us, in stentorian
voice, about at follows:
Who are you, and what are you pad
ding under my guns in this manner for?"
We were half terrified by the old
fellows angry, stern manner, and did
not know but we had at last fallen into
the hands of rebel cruiser under false
colors. We did not know what to say
to this unexpected, angry interrogation.
We padded on very slowly, while the
sailors and officers began to gather in
little squads and look at us with mingled
curiosity and merriment.
Presently, the officer hailed us again,
with about the same questions. ! now
stood up in our boat, and answered,
that we were two men trying 10 get back
to Gods country, among friends. |
was now quite uneasy and suspicious OF
the situation, and kept my eyes on the
officer, for | perceived he was the Com
mander. shall never forget his stern
but puzzled look as we came up under
the bow of his vessel We had been so
overoyed and excited, that we had for
gotten to pull the old moss, which COW
cred our nakedness and protected us
from the sun, from our backs, and we
must have looked like scare-crows or
swamp-dragons. | cannot speak go well
of my own appearance then, but can see
Mark Wood, just as he was on that joy
full day, and a more comical, forlorn,
overlooking being cannot we'll be
imagined.
In our boat were few catfish rarity
skinned, some oysters in the shell, some
ears Of scorched corn, lot Of moss and
our old boots, for our feet were vet sore
and we went bare-footed when in the
boat.
After scrutinizing us in silence for
some little time as we Gri1ted up closer
and closer, he again demanded of us
some account of our strange conduct
and appearance. | told him VIC were
enlisted Federal soldiers, and belonged
to the command of Gen. o. M. Mitchell,
in Tennessee; to which he growled some
thing about our being long ways from
camp" | then explained to him briefly
that We were fugitives, and the causes
that led to it; that we were nearly
furnished with hunger, and that after
skulking through mountains and river
by night, we had at last sought protec-
ton under the cid flag and the guns OF
his ship. III
could see that his manner toward lis
had changed. He plainly saw the indi.
cations Of our distress. He said he had
heard Of the raidihg expedition we spoke
of, and commanded us to row up to the
ladder and come up the ships side.
We did so, and Wood went up the steps
first The poor fellows agitation and
JOY were so great, and nc was SO weak,
that he could scarcely raise his feet from
step to step on the ladder or stairs.
FRIENDS III NEED.
The Commander seeing his weak, fall
tering condition, leaned over the rail,
as Wood came up, and, reaching out,
took hold to assist him, and, as he did so,
the rotten bit of old moss which covered
Marks shoulders and back all pulled
Oft and exposed his emaciated, bony