The National tribune., 1898-08-11
CHAPTER XXIV-(continued).

CHAPTER (continued).
ROUTING OUT A HIDING JOHNNY-HOw
THE FILE PROCURED CHANGE OF
DIET-A TARGET FOR REBEL ARTIL-
LERISTS.
The File made their way around through
to where the stream that ran 10 the lett of the
tort bloadened and deepened 50 that 1t could
not be crossed, and they went down the left
of this 10 The river, with no other incident
than an occasional shot at long taw from some
rebel sharpshoO,er hidden behind loo or a
tree on the bank. They could see at inter
walls The fort proper. that lay behind the outer
line and was hidden IN some places by the
thick woods and high grounds.
At intervals they observed guns in position.
They counted these and estimated their size
as nearly as possible at the distance they
were and reported what they had seen TO
Capt Moore, who transmitted the reports to
Headquarters. Then came instructions to
take up as good position for observation as
possible, make themselves comfortable, and
remain there during the night.
. That names we are not loikely 10 have
any 1oitin' TIL Tomorrow, " said O'Neil.
- No; we shall probably not do anything
until the gunboats come up, and then all
we'll have TO do Will be to bold those fellows
IN there while the sunboats pound them until
they yell enough, y SAID Bronson
Bat other orders came for them TO 90 ont a
mile CT so to the left and rear and discover if
theie were any indications OF the rebel force
which would be likely to interfere with the
parties sent to the river to look out for anG
communicate with the transports aud gun
boats when the latter should come in sight
They went and made diligent search as di-
rected, but found no one more belligerent
than some women in rather comfortable
house. These were OF a little better class
than those they had the experience with near
Fort Henry. i he house WAS built OF hewn
logs, with two parts joined together with a
large oaken porch, which was made the
place of storage for the saddles, harness,
trace-chains, plow-clevises, single-tTees and
other appliances of the farm. The dogs in.
stead oi iounging around the fireplace snatch
ing suneptitious bites from the family meal
III course OF preparation there and dodging
spirited kicks from the women dong the
coollng.-as is the case in the very poorest
cabins, we're compelled to abide IN the space
under the floor OF tie house where they fought
intermlnable battles with each other and the
feas, and whence they rushed with fearful
ciamor at the first glimpse Of anyone ap
preaching
The women looked as if they probably
knew how TO read and write They evidently
made some effort at tdying up their persons
Their hnSey dresses were clean, and white
handkeIchiefs about their necks gave them
prim, Quakerish look. But they were as
rancorous as their sisters of lower estate, and
their higher intelligence enabled them 10 say
bitteTer things
" No; none Of our men folks are at home,
nor have seed them for many day" said
the nlairon, vino acted as spokesman, IN reply
TO Bronson squestion. You mout a. knowed
that by the looks OF this place. Dye see
that standim' corn thar? Not a nubbin o.
that's been shuckt, nur hand of that ter
hacker IN that other fields been cut Every
mite and speck Oh EN- is done gone to waste
Dye see how soiry them air fences air :?
Stock a runnin wherever they're mind to-
Does that look as if there's been any men
folks around here Since last Summer? An
hits all your fault Why can't you stay at
home, like decent people? Wbat're you
traipsIn' around here for, where you have
no business? Why can't you let our niggers
alone? What did yo'uns come down here to
fight we'uns for? We'uns Amt been doin
nothin' 10 youns."
- Nothn', only trying TO break up the
Government and murder those who don't
want you TO do it, - said Bronson but we
have no time to talk war or politics Are
you quite sure you've no able-bodied men
about the house,"
Why, you orn'ry Yankee, Dye want to
hint that I'D lie to you, replied the dame,
firing up into crimson rage
don want TO say anything about it, -
replied Bronson; it's our duty TO search
your house, and we'll have to do it,"
Indeed you'll not. You shan't set foot
in il. I'll scald the hair often you if you as
much as darken my door. Polly and Sally,
run inside and throw gourds FULL of bilin
water on 'em If they attempt tc come in !"
Polly and Sally, who were rather comely
maidens, started TO do their mothers bidding
but OAeil arrested them with word, and
informed them of his passion for house burn
ing, 10 which he should be compelled TO give
way If they yielded TO their hatred so far as
TO scald any OF his men. The three women
scolded and begged, but 0'Neil was inexor
able. and cut the debate short by putting
Karl and Stock on guard over the women
while the rest searched the house.
In Southern houses of the class above de
scribed there are no closets or store-roonis
The great substitute for these is "unde
the bed.o The lower part OF the bedsteae
is inclosed with a curtain of light calico
called a valance, " and behind this screef
is stored the most incongruous assortment 0
household articles, ranging frequently from
barrel of molasses-in the houses of the NOR.
thrifty-to the baby's shoes. To one ac
customed TO Southern habits, it is the mos
natural place TO look for anything in th'
house that is not lying in one of the corner
or hanging on the wall, but it is the las
place that NOrtherner would think of ex