The National tribune., 1898-12-15

borhood, for he was the owner and operator
of small steam mill for grinding corn, and
his was the only mill in that region and
he the only person who could run it. Before
we had seen him he had sent US q sack OF
meal from his mill as present.
The old mani have forgotten his name
was fearless and outspOken in his Union
sentiments He said that his race was
almost run; that they might disD0se Of him
if they wished, but that while lie lasted he
would never desert his country or its fag.
So he was allowed TO grind for both Sides
and no one was tufned hungry aNag; thus,
he suecored many dependent people. He
had also prepared comfortable quarters in
one end of al old building once nsei "a
tannery, for Union women and children w.lo
had lost their homes at the hands of the
HACKERS We found several such
persons when we first visited the place.
Ii was now more than three weeks since
the Dean went down, and in many respects
our environment was worse than imprison-
ment. Though we had same privileges not
accorded rs while win the regiment, orr
camp duties, with their caution, fear, sus-
penss aud lack of ordinary duties, seemed
uneaaurahle We aarad not rest by day or
sleep by Night, feariag fees without and in
nervous strain The weather Was csld. We
began to feel as well as see the need of more
and better clothing; fer keen wind whistIed
through eur tattered garments, and the eye
was greatly offended by the nIaay rents and
exposures. Our CAPTAIN had taken great
pride in white shirt aud black boots, but
now he had holes in the knees of his pants,
fore and aft.
BLESSING IN DISGUISE.
For several days threatening clouds and
incessant wind had tokened storm, which
| finally burst upon US ia wild fury The wind
low the freezing point Shalspere must
| have had us in mind when he said:
| Poor naked wretches whosoe'e err you are,
/ That bde the peiIing OF tsiS pities storm,
| How shah your hou-e ess he. Dis aud united sides,
| Your tooped and Widowed raggedRess, defend
| YOU
From season such as ths2"
The elements seemed to add calamity to our
distress. However, the storm was blessing
in disguise; in fact. it was our very salvation.
The heavy rainfall made rapid rise in the
river and increased its swift current, which
suggested plan for our relief
| Our Captain counseled with his company,
which resulted in two comrades-Ed Allen
and Frank Observation-Disclosures to take the
Ismaller Of our two boats and start with the
darkness down the river, carrying message
from our Captain to the commander OF the
post at Icwisburg. Ed Allen now lives at
Frankfort, S. d., and Frank Harris at Hart
ford. Kan.
The message briefly described our condi-
ton, and closed with the words: s. For God ;
sake, come up and help US" No better or
man thar. Ell lla,, JrranIy IIa rr;
ever lived. 1t was with missivings that they
took their leave of Us, for we all knew the
dangers which beset their undertaking, and
the parting, though hopeful, was very solemn,
and threw deep gloom over us-the crcum-
stances were 20 unfavorable for a safe voyage
They pulled ont in the darkness with a
strong wind and wild waves at their backs
which seemed more likely 10 drive them to
destruction than elsewhere. But they were
strong and muscular and well disciplined in
haIdships. They made the trip in safety
but not without many dangers, difficulties
and false alarms. The night was intensely
dark; they could not even see the food wood
with which the high water had filled the
river, and E,anv times they came near capsizng
by collidilg with it. Often their boat nearly
filed with water, soaking their clothing
| They ran into snags. sand bars. islands,
banks and bayous. several times they cot
lost, and wasted much valuable time in find
ing the river and in prying oil from bars
Their last difficulty was, while making
good speed under hard pressure of the oar,
they ran onto sandbar. which lifted them
out of the water. Having become exhausted
in their struggle with SO inany such mis-
haps, they had neither courage nor strength
10 disiodge, SO they yielded to the inevitable
aud rested until morning which yyas near Mt
hand. But they were too wet and cold to
sleep or lie idle long, SD after brief rest
they again loosened their boat and pulled for
the shore, intending to hide till night, not
thinking it safe to be on the river in day
light
Tney were discovered by friendly old