The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-11-03
together any way? Yo' don't git thar no

sooner
Then again:
Great jumpin' Jehosephat, Nate. will
you never learn the right way to hold your
gun when You present arms? You must
turn the trigger outside, not the hammer -
80, JENNY. what difference does hit
make? / never kin recoIlect hit, an what's
the use o. tryin'? Can't see no sense in
holdin' a gun straight up an down that-a-
way any way. an if yo' do, haint one side
jest rs good as t'other?''
He was so obdurate that the boys would
sometimes be provoked to sharp words to
him, but his gentle speech would quickly
disarm them again, and make them feel
penitent.
At last the 20Oth Ind came out upon the
crest of Waldron's Ridge, overlooking the
Tennessee River, which wound and turned
amid the towering mountains like band of
bright silver traversing the giant pillows
OF green. Everyone caught his breath at
the sight, for beyond the stream were rebel
camps, and moving trains, and long lines of
marching men, Was all of Bragg's army
gathered over there to dispute the passage,
or was part still this side the river, ready
to pounce on our heads of columns as they
meandered down the mountain?
The brigade was closed up, information
sent to the Division Commander, and the
2OOth Ind. pushed to the front to develop
whatever might be there. ST with Shorty
and some others were sent ahead TO feel for
the enemy.
"Take him along?" asked ST of Shorty in a
low tone. with nod toward Nate, as they
were making up the squad
Don't know" answered Shorty. "If
ever in the world, we want men with Us to-
day who won't git ratified, and make a holy
show o. themselves before the regiment, but'll
keep cool, watch their chances and obey
orders. Guess we'd better leave him be-
hind"
"Seems to me-" said ST, trying vaguely
to recall his Scriptural readings, that the
Bible says something agin takin' newly
married man right into battle just after he's
married"
He looked around again. saw Nate taking
his place along with the other men selected,
and called out:
Here. Nate, fall back to the company
You can't go along"
g Please, Mister 81, le' me 90 along, -
begged Nate, in the soft tones of girl asking
for a flower "I'll be good. I'll hold my
gun straight, an try t. keep step"
No; you can't go. This IS partickler
business, and we only want experienced men
with us. Better fall back to the company"
Go ahead, there, Corporal commanded
the Adjutant ''Time's passing We must
move"
ST deplOyed his men and entered the dense
woods which curtained the view and shrouded
the enemy. 1t was one OF those deeply anx-
ious moments in war, when the enemy is in
ambush, and the next instant, the next step,
may develop him in deadly activity,
ST was on the right of his line and Shorty
on the left, and they were pushing forward
slowly, cautiously, and with every sense
strained to the extremity of alertness.
So dense was the foliage overhead that it
was almost twilight in the forest depths they
were penetrating, and Sis eyes were strained
to keep track of the men moving on his left,
and at the same time watch for developments
in front He had noticed that he was ap-
preaching little opening some distance
ahead, and that beyond it was dense thicket
of tall laurels. Then he thought he heard a
low whistle from Shorty, and looked far to
the left, while continuing to walk forward.
Suddenly he was startled by a shot o little
to his rear and left. Then shot answered
from the laurel thicket, he saw the bushes
OFcI oVii auti hC hCaiu AN1tO
voice say:
''He wuz layin' for yo', ST, an come nigh
a gittin' yo', but l think l must've at least
creased him, from the wild way he shot back
Les 90 iorrard an see."
81 thought / told you to go back" said
ST, more intent on military discipline than
his escape.
81 know yo' did done hit, but 1 couldn't
mind, an tagged long arter yo'."
How'd you know he wuz there?"
81 done seed the bushes move over his
head. l knowed jest how he WIZ a-layin'
for yo' Les go forrard an git him.
ST and Nate ran across the open space to
The laurels, and found little ways in a
bushwhacker staggering from pain and loss
Of blood from a wound in his hip, and max
ing labored efforts to escape.
. l done hit him; l done fetched him; l
lone knowed jist whar he wuz," exclaimed
Nate with boyish exultation.
At the sound of his voice the bushwhacker
turned around upon him an ugly brutal face
,ull of savage hatred.
Why, hits bad ole Wash Barnstable, |
what burnt daddys stable with two horses, |
IN shot brother Wills through the arm; I'll |
list job him in the heart with my bagnet,n
screamed the boy as he recognized the face. |
His own features became transfgured with |
age, and he began fixing his bayonet. ST |
pushed forward and caught the bushwhacker |
~ the shoulder and tore the gun from his |
Mate L.,